Updated on June 28th, 2020

13 Ways to Take Care of Babies/Infants/Todlers in Monsoon Season India 2020

We are blessed to have the opportunity to enjoy nature’s beauty in the monsoon season. The monsoon season brings a big smile on the face of every child. Trying to capture the drops of rain in hand, playing with water bubbles, paper boat and jumping in the mud ditches. These funny acts of our children remind us of our old days. After a long span of scorching heat, we all welcome the monsoon season with an open heart. Especially the children feel comfortable and energetic to live with the beautiful season of rain.

Just like every baby, my baby also feels happy and cheerful seeing the cool shower of rain falling. Cool breeze, chirping of the birds and greenery all over also attract the babies. This made me fell in love with the monsoon too. Therefore, thought to share baby care tips with every mother during the monsoon season. Monsoon care is must for the babies of all age group. This makes these tips universal. I have tried to cover every possible precaution considering not only infants and toddlers but the babies of all age group.

The monsoon season is fast approaching or rather, it has already knocked the doors in some states. In the monsoon season the probability is more for the Corona virus to spread its feet. This is because of frequent change in weather conditions. Needed is to boost our immunity strong enough to beat the virus on the door itself. As we all know that the immunity in the children is developing gradually. We all need to make extra efforts to keep our little ones healthy and immune. It is therefore preferably the right time to pen down necessary precautions on such time demanding topic “Precautions from diseases, hot and humid weather, change in weather conditions, mosquito hazard, prickly heat rash”.

Yes, my friends, you guessed it all right. Major problems that we as a parent should consider attentively. Because the effects of the above problems are serious and concerning. Looking forward to discussing the issues during the monsoon season.

These issues or problems in the monsoon season are as follows:

• Diseases due to contaminated water and increased organisms in the environment.
• High humidity in the weather.
• Frequent change in weather conditions. The cause of common cold and flu.
• Disturbing mosquitoes and the diseases transmitted by them.
• Itching and pricking due to prickly heat or heat rash.

Our babies are one among us. They also feel discomfort with these problems. Taking early prevention is safe and recommended.

Precautions or must-follow tips to take care of babies in monsoon season are as follows:

1. Protection from diseases

As discussed the monsoon season is known for diseases. Because of the increase in bacteria and virus in the atmosphere. We humans have no control over nature. All we can do is take precautions to protect the babies from diseases. As far as the adults are concerned we resist our care. But babies are sensitive enough for extra care. This is because their immunity is developing.

I am sharing information on diseases in the monsoon season and must-follow tips from prevention of the respective disease.

• Waterborne diseases:
  

During the monsoon season, even the clean water gets contaminated. The microorganisms in the untreated water are the sole reason for waterborne diseases.

Some known waterborne diseases are typhoid, stomach infection and diarrhoea.

Must follow tips

• First and the last tip is do not use untreated water especially for babies during monsoon season. Make it a point to use only boiled and cooled down water for any purpose. The purpose such as for drinking, making food and formula milk.

• Viral infections

Virus infections are caused due to the harmful virus in our body.  Some of the known viral infections are viral fever, eye flu and nasal congestion.

Must follow tips

• • To prevent the babies from eye flu avoid going out during rain. This otherwise, increases the chance of catching eye flu early.
  • Wash the eyes of the babies with plain water three times a day. This is a precaution that I always follow in routine.
  • I do not prefer using any eye drops without my paediatrician consultation.
  • For nasal congestion use nasal drops three times a day. Nasal drops are safe to use for babies. This keeps their nostrils open throughout. I always prefer using nasal drops after bath and before sleep.

• Infectious diseases

Infectious diseases are caused due to the bacteria, fungi, virus and parasites. These organisms are already present in our body. Some of the reasons for catching an infection are coming in contact with contaminated food, untreated water, sneezing by others, etc.  All we can do is focus more on building strong immunity of the baby.

One good and known example of infectious disease is Common cold and flu. It is very common in infants or toddlers or babies as the name suggests. This is because of developing immunity of the babies.

Therefore, all we can do is focus more on building strong immunity of the baby by following tips:

• • Always serve fresh food to the baby. This keeps the digestive system strong and healthy.
  • Preferably serve homemade food especially during the monsoon season. This is because outside food items are not fresh and have got lot many preservatives.
  • Keep the food covered to prevent flies, mosquitoes and other insects sitting over it.
  • Include Vitamin C, D, E, K and potassium sourced food in the baby’s food chart. For this add almond, citrus fruits, papaya, green leafy vegetables, yoghurt, turmeric and many more in the baby’s food chart.
  • Sterilized utensils are good to use because the immunity of the baby is developing to fight from many organisms. Therefore, always prefer serving food to the babies upto a year in sterilized utensils.

I have served food in sterilized utensils upto one year. This is even recommended by paediatricians. This is to discourage infectious diseases to our babies. Because their immunity is weak against organisms in our body.

Sterilize the utensils by following the traditional method of sterilization of the feeding bottles. Take the utensils in a big pot and fill it with water such that the utensils are completely drowned in it. Simmer the flame after the first boil. Let the utensils boil for another 30 to 40 mins. Afterwards, when the pot cools down to take the utensils out as and when required.

2. Protection from mosquitoes

During the monsoon season, you notice a sudden increase in mosquitoes in our surroundings. The reason is the creation of new breeding grounds for mosquitoes in the monsoon season. The rainwater gets accumulated in every hole, ditch and drains outside the house. These are the potential breeding places for the mosquitoes.

Diseases such as Dengue, Chikungunya, Malaria and many more are transmitted with a mosquito bite.  Breeding gave birth to the mosquitoes in multiples of thousand. This breeding cycle continues with every new mosquito. All we can do is destroy the breeding grounds by taking some precautionary measures.

The precautions are as follows:

• There is a saying “Charity begins at home”. Therefore, take actions that prevent breeding at your place first. Throw the stagnant water or add kerosene oil in the water drainage, coolers and every other possible place.
• Keep the house surroundings free from stagnant water. Some of the places/points where the breeding grounds in our house are possible:
• Mud pot for birds on the terrace
• Flowerpot inside or outside the house
• Garden or long grasses
• Unused tire in the garage
• Ditches outside the house
• Drains outside the house
• Keep the garbage in the covered bin and dump it daily because the mosquitoes breed in the garbage bin.
• Before the start of the monsoon let the plants and trees cut short. Because one of the biggest reasons for the mosquitoes entering the house is the plantation that we have in the backyard.

Otherwise, grow the repellent plants on your backyard or in the kitchen garden or as an indoor plant. Mosquitoes do not come near to these plants due to their scent mainly. Therefore, helping to keep the mosquitoes and other insects away from your house. In this way, you are also protecting the environment. Some of these repellent plants are:

• Mint
• Basil
• Neem
• Lavender
• Marigolds
• Rosemary
• Garlic
• Keeping ourselves aware enough to recognise other breeding grounds in our house and take action immediately.

3. Diaper rash

Diaper rash is noticed as a red rash over the diaper area of the baby. It is common during the monsoon season. The reason is the humidity in the weather. Humidity prevents the sweat to dry and not allowing the skin to breathe. Therefore, using the diaper for a longer duration becomes a cause for diaper rash in babies.

Although diaper rash usually is cured in a span of four to five days. But in monsoon diaper rash increase to severe red patches if not taken care off at the earliest.

Below are the tips to prevent your babies from the problem of diaper rash:

• For infants, it is best to use nappies all day long because their skin is very sensitive and it gets infected easily. Change their nappies at the earliest when get wet to reduce the rashes. At the same time use a bed protector to protect the bed from getting wet.
• For toddlers, use nappies for some hours in a day say for 7 to 8 hours. The skin of the baby is so sensitive that it needs air for breathing and relaxing.
• Change the diaper at a regular interval of around one to two hour. Preferably change the diaper as soon as it is filled. This keeps the skin dry and healthy.
• Use good quality diapers for healthy skin and a comfortable fit.
• Use the coconut oil for diaper rash. This is a tried and tested home remedy for diaper rash. Gently apply the coconut oil all around the diaper area. Leave the skin open for 15 to 20 mins for the proper absorption of oil. Repeat for two to three times a day. You can also use natural rash cream.

Start using coconut oil over the diaper area two times a day to prevent chances of infection.

• Consult your paediatrician in case the diaper rash is not healing in a week or more.

4. Vaccination

• Make sure that no vaccine is pending during monsoon season. This is to say that scheduled vaccination is completed before the monsoon season to avoid an emergency.
• Consult your paediatrician in advance for any new vaccine for the flu.

5. Monsoon kit

Monsoon kit includes must-have accessories for baby ready before the start of the monsoon season. This is to avoid emergency of buying necessary accessories during the monsoon season.

The monsoon kit includes the following baby products:

• Medicine box

It is not always possible to travel to a medical store for the required medicines on a rainy day. Sometimes rain continues for a week or more. Therefore, to avoid the hassle of going out on a rainy day prepare first aid box ready.

Ensure below tips before the start of the monsoon season:

• The medicine box should have all the required medicines for a future emergency. These include stomach infection, fever, cold, cough, probiotic liquid and ointment.
• Consult your paediatrician in advance for stocking the regular medicines of the baby. These include iron, calcium, multi-vitamins, etc.

• Umbrella and Raincoat

Keep the required number of raincoat and umbrella in place if your baby is grown up.

• Mosquito protection kit

It has been discussed earlier that number of mosquitoes increase due to breeding. Therefore, keep yourself prepared with the mosquito protection kit.

The kit includes:

• • Liquid mosquito vaporizer machine
  • Natural mosquito repellent: It includes natural fabric roll-on stick or natural fabric patches. I prefer using Mamaearth products
  • Mosquito cot net/ umbrella net/bed net
  • Electronic UV Light Mosquito Killer Machine/catcher/trapper
  • Mosquito catching racket.

For a detailed understanding of their usage and efficiency in protecting the baby from a mosquito bite, read the post “How to protect a baby from the mosquito bite.”

• Stock of clothes

It is very often that a baby spoils his/her clothes in playing, eating and pee. It takes around 2 days for the wet clothes to dry during the monsoon season. Therefore, it is necessary to keep stock of extra clothes as per the baby’s requirement. These include shirt, bottom, nappies, bed protector, swaddle, cotton blanket, etc.

6. Baby hygiene

Many organisms such as virus, bacteria and fungi grow in the environment during the monsoon season. Usually, babies are involved in some activities outside or inside the house. They play on the floor, with walls and also with other surfaces. This increase the chance of coming in contact with or touch with the above organisms. Therefore, maintaining hygiene is necessary.

Precautionary steps for keeping the baby neat and clean are as follows:

• Make the baby bath daily with warm water. Warm water helps in blood circulation and good to use during monsoon. Bathing is important to clean the germs. The baby enjoys playing in the water tub and is one good exercise for health.
• Add a few drops of Dettol in the water tub before bath. This provides relief on the affected area from the mosquito bite.
• In the evening if not making the baby bath, then wash his/her face, hands and feet for freshness.
• Change the clothes of the baby in the evening. This gives relief from sweating and dust after day-long play and activities.

• Keep the nails clean and cut them once in a week. This prevents germs from going into the mouth. This is because the baby is fond of taking fingers and other items into the mouth.
• Change the clothes and wash the hands, feet and face on returning from outside. It is preferred avoiding going out on a rainy day or after rain. Because of increased exposure to virus and bacteria on surfaces.
• Wash the hands and mouth of the baby after playing on the ground.

7. Baby skincare

During monsoon, the skin pores get clogged due to humid weather conditions. Resulting in skin dryness and itching. Because the skin of the baby is very gentle it needs care. Need is to keep the skin hydrated and moistured to avoid fungal infection.

Further, any skin problem is very difficult to deal in babies because medication in this respect is neither advisable by the paediatrician nor by the dermatologists upto 3 years babies. Therefore, take the best skincare measures before the start of the monsoon season.

The best baby skincare measures during the monsoon season are as follows: These measures are very easy to adopt in routine and are homemade.

• Coconut oil has numerous good qualities, therefore, massage the baby with the coconut oil during monsoon. Massage the baby atleast two times a day. Massage before taking a bath is necessary to remove excess oil from the body. This allows the skin to breathe which is very important in monsoon for healthy skin.

I always prefer using coconut oil for baby skincare. The reason is it gets absorbed in the skin easily and is non-sticking. Also giving nourishment and moisture preventing dryness.

• Infants skin has many folds around the ears, neck, arms, legs and thighs. Therefore, apply little coconut oil in the folded skin and rub with gentle hands. This prevents skin rash and redness.

I am using coconut oil for the baby skincare and recommending the same. But if you are using other light oil and it is working well with your baby’s skin, should continue with it.

• On the mosquito bite, clean the bitten area and gently rub the coconut oil or Vicks BabyRub all over it.
• Mostly, it is seen in the monsoon season that feet get a fungal infection if remaining wet for a long time. If your baby is grown up to then avoid shoes in monsoon season. Should go for sandals as they allow the skin to breathe. Also helps in keeping the skin dry.

8. Clean surroundings

Generally, we all prefer neat and clean surrounding to live with. But during the monsoon, various microorganisms which are not visible by naked eye develop in huge numbers in the environment. This is because of the weather condition of the respective season.

Infants are learning to crawl and toddlers are eager to walk and run to explore the beauty of this world. To protect them from coming in contact with the microorganism keeping our surroundings clean is important. Although not completely but to a satisfactory extent it is possible.

• The dusting of the house is necessary if not daily then once in a week. Because windstorm is very common during the monsoon season. This prevents to a great extent baby coming in contact with the germs.
• Mopping the floor of the house regularly by adding Lizol or Dettol or any other disinfectant to the water. This is to keep the floor clean and germs free as the baby generally plays there.
• Maintain a clean toilet and bathroom. Use disinfectant and toilet cleaners. This will reduce in growing numbers of parasites and fungi.

9. Layers of clothes

In the monsoon season, make the baby wear layers of clothes. This is necessary to beat the changing weather. Remove the upper layer when it is more humid and moist. Similarly, use an extra layer with coolness in the weather due to continuous raining.

• Pure cotton fabric, light colour and loose clothes suitable to wear during the monsoon season. They are soft, gentle and make the skin breathe.
• Use swaddle to wrap the infants upto the age of 6 months. Swaddling the baby gives warmth and comfort. Swaddle is a soft muslin cloth or a cotton cloth. Further, good to use as a blanket and bedsheet for the baby. I am using the Babyhug swaddle which has a muslin fabric gentle on the baby’s skin.

• Have separate handkerchiefs and bathing towel for the baby. Cotton fabric These come in direct contact with the skin and Personally, Babyhug is a good choice for purchasing.
• Soft and cotton fabric socks, cap, mittens for infants upto the age of 3 months. Make sure that their hands and feet do not sweat. Remove them at reasonable intervals.
• Cover the body with the full sleeves clothes to prevent the baby from the mosquito bite. Although this seems to be illogical considering the humidity in the atmosphere. The best solution is pure soft cotton clothes.

10. Take care of baby hydration

Hydration keeps the skin healthy and nourished. Also, hydration is important for building the strong immunity of the baby.

• Newborn babies are breastfeeding for six months. Breast milk has a high percentage of water in it. Therefore, there is no need to give water separately. Feed the baby at regular two hours
• Give lukewarm boiled water for drinking purpose. Drinking water at a frequent interval of around 2 hours is recommended. This helps in building immunity strong against diseases and gives relief in cold and flu.
• Curd is a very good source to provide instant relief in dehydration. I always serve fresh homemade curd in the monsoon. Fresh curd is sweet and is liked by babies.

Before serving curd do taste it. If it tastes sour avoid giving it to the baby. Because sour curd is contaminated by developed yeast and mold.

• Add vegetables and fruits in the baby food chart. Vegetables and fruits are rich in water content and maintain body temperature normal. Serve the vegetables and fruits either in juices, puree or soup.

In the monsoon season, it is common to find insects inside the vegetables and fruits. Therefore, thoroughly wash and carefully cut them before serving.

11. Managing infants/toddlers/babies accessories

There are a lot of accessories with which babies are surrounded. Virus, bacteria, fungi and other organisms develop more in humid weather. Therefore, baby accessories need management in a manner that they remain free from germs and organisms. This helps in keeping the baby strong and healthy.

Below are the tips and experiences which I am practicing for managing the baby accessories during the monsoon season:

• Feeding bottle

The feeding bottle is a necessity for all the new mothers for feeding the milk to the babies. The paediatricians recommend sterilization of the feeding bottles with every usage. During the monsoon, even the clean water gets contaminated with a variety of bacteria and fungi. Therefore, it becomes important to sterilize the feeding bottle before using. The digestive system and other organs of the baby are still developing and are more easily prone to various infections. Therefore, do sterilize the baby feeding bottle.

For more information as to the health issues and methods of sterilizing the baby feeding bottle read the post on the topic “How to sterilize baby feeding bottle”.

• Teethers/Pacifiers/Soothers

We all know that four-month of age infants started experiencing the teething phase. This continues until six years of babies. Babies satisfy his/ her teething pain by chewing anything every time. You parents deal with the situation by offering teethers to your babies. Because it is safe and is hygiene friendly.

But do we know that before giving teethers to your babies they need to be sterilized? I did not mean in literal sense sterilization but with a thorough cleaning is essential before using teethers. I am not saying this alone but is also recommended by paediatricians.

Sterilization process

Take the teethers in a big bowl. Soak them completely in hot water for 5 mins. Add a few drops of liquid cleanser to the water as it kills bacteria. I am using Pigeon liquid cleanser for it is safe for use on baby accessories. After 5 mins rub and rinse the teethers with another bowl of hot water.

To save your time clean all the teethers at a time and use them as per the requirement.

• Playing toys

The baby is engaged in playing with the toys the whole day. Therefore, BPA free plastic and EN 71 certified toys are recommended for the safe baby play. The certification assures the best quality material and fulfils other necessary aspects as well.

Oral infection in babies is seen during the monsoon season. Because of increased moisture and germs in the environment. Assure to wash the toys in plain water. Before using dry the toys by rubbing on a soft cotton cloth. Washed toy prevents dust and germs entering the mouth.

• Formula feed

Should keep the formula feed powder in an airtight container. Otherwise, due to the high humidity in the weather, the eatable would get moist and smell bad. Also, other eatable items should be kept in airtight containers.

12. Protection from prickly heat

The problem of prickly heat is common in babies during the monsoon season. This primarily affects the folded areas of the skin where the sweat gets easily accumulated.

One major reason for prickly heat is a hot and humid weather condition. The weather conditions change frequently during the monsoon. On one rainy day, the humidity decreases and the weather is pleasant. Another day the weather is extremely hot and humid. It is very difficult for toddlers to adapt to such a sudden change in the weather. Because their skin and organs are developing. Other reasons for prickly heat is blocking of the sweat ducts or overheating of the body.

To read more on the causes, preventions and treatment of prickly heat visit posts “10 effective home remedies to treat ghamoriya” and “6 ways to beat baby heat rash (ghamoriya), prickly heat in babies”.

13. Maintain a pleasant room temperature

During the monsoon season, weather conditions are unpredicting. For some days the unbearable heating weather is experienced and for some days cool and pleasant environment is experienced. Such weather conditions are not suitable for the infant’s sensitive skin. Thereby results in dryness, cracking, itching of the skin. Therefore, pleasant and cool room temperature is needed for babies. Also, a cool room temperature keeps the mosquitoes away.

The best possible way of maintaining a pleasant and comfortable room temperature is the use of an air conditioner or coolers. Further, it is recommended having Temperature and Humidity Meter in the room. It helps in monitoring the room temperature and humidity on a real-time basis. Which helps in maintaining the pleasant atmosphere of the room.

• Maintain the temperature of the air conditioner in between 24 ℃ to 26 ℃. This is \an ideal temperature for newborn babies. Further, switch on the fan at a slow speed for circulation of the cool air in the entire room. This helps in keeping the room cool and pleasant for a longer time. Further, if you living in a place where the temperature is too high for the air conditioner to cool the room at 24 degree Celsius then you can adjust the air conditioner temperature from 20 ℃ to 22 ℃.
• Do not use the air conditioner for the whole night continuously because the baby is fragile enough to get cold, cough or fever. Therefore, use the timer feature of AC for automatic turning off of the air conditioner. Your purpose is to give a pleasant atmosphere to the baby and not chilled atmosphere.
• Clean the air filters of the air conditioner to kill the airborne fungi and dust and to make the air fresh and healthy. Similarly, clean all the windows of the cooler and change the grass every year.
• While using the cooler open one window in the room. Because it allows the cross ventilation in the room and maintains the humidity at a bearable level.