16 WAYS : How to Protect Babies from Mosquito Bites ?

As today we are standing in the May month of the Summer season, the time when a mosquito threat is at its peak. This will last for another 2 to 3 months. Diseases such as Dengue, Chikungunya, Malaria and many more are most spread during this season. These diseases are transmitted from the mosquito bite. These are spread over the past 3 to 4 years only. One or the other new disease is also emerging every year. The sad part is that there is no vaccine for these diseases invented so far.

As you know that the mosquitoes have become the part and parcel of our lives. There is no way out to get rid of them except to protect yourself and your loved ones from their bite. This fact has motivated me to share some ways/methods for protection against the mosquito bite which I am practicing in routine. These methods have not completely but to a great extent has benefited me in protecting my family. I am sure some of the method you would also be following but as of now some more addition to the list is possible.

You as a mother is more worried about protecting the babies from the mosquito bite. The babies are more easily bitten by the mosquito because they are unable to recognize the mosquitoes flying nearby them. Babies do not respond on mosquito bite as they are unaware of them. Many mosquito protection products are available in the market. But the baby is sensitive enough to these products. Therefore, extra care is required to protect him/her from the mosquito bite. Further, I am discussing ways and methods to protect the babies from the mosquito bite when the question is of his/her better health.

Below are the ways /methods to protect the babies from the mosquito bite:

1. Clothing

• Make the baby wear light colour clothes because the mosquitoes are most attracted towards a dark colour flowery printed clothes.
• Make the baby wear clothes of the cotton fabric which are not tight on the body. Loose clothes are airy and gives comfort to the baby. Also prevents the mosquito bite to his/her skin directly.
• Covering the body with the full sleeves shirt/T-shirt and pants to prevent the frequent mosquito bite.

2. Use of Camphor with cloves :

• This is the tried and tested method of protection from the mosquito bite. I am following this method for a long time and is effective indeed.
• This method is economical and time saving because the pouch lasts for 15 days.
• Procedure: Take 4 camphor and 2 cloves in a pouch of cloth. Tie the knot of the pouch. Make a similar pouch in good number. Hang these pouch in four corners of the window, doors and on both sides of the bed.
• The fragrance of the camphor and clove will not allow the mosquitoes to enter the house. Most importantly it is a natural form of prevention and does not make the baby irritated with its odour.

3. Keep doors/windows closed

• Keeping doors and windows closed especially during dusk and dawn to stop the entry of the mosquitoes into the house.
• Dusk and Dawn is the peak time for the mosquitoes to gather in a group. The reason is less of natural light during this period of the day.

4. Use of net mesh/woven wire mesh on doors/windows
   

• As discussed in the above point to keep doors and windows closed but this is not all the time possible. Therefore fitting of the net/ wire mesh in doors and windows is the best possible way to control the side effects from the mosquito bite.
• Also, you cannot always rely on the homemade methods of protection from the mosquito bite. Therefore, this is one of the best ways because it restricts their entry.
• Cover all possible points/places of entry of the mosquitoes into the house with the use of netting /woven wire mesh on all doors and windows.
• Benefits of using net/ wire mesh
• Net/ wire mesh allows fresh air and sunlight to enter the room which is best for the baby’s health and development. As it is believed that water and air are the best sources of the baby’s growth.
• When nowadays, the backyard garden has become an integral part of our house. These tiny blood sucking insects grow in huge number due to the soothing scent produced by the plants. Therefore, the use of netting on doors and windows is the best possible way to stop their entry in the house and also saving the environment.

5. Try and avoid going out of the house during dusk and dawn because this is the time when the mosquitoes are most active and flying in huge numbers. If there is need to go out then take care of a few things:

• Apply roll-on sticks on the clothes of the baby to keep the mosquitoes away. I am using the roll-on sticks from one year of age of my baby.

• 

  Toddlers/ infants are usually are carried on Pram/stroller. To ensure their safety from the mosquito bite use pram net. This is the safest and preferred mode. Also, it comes along with the pram/stroller, therefore, it is cost effective method.

• Avoid exposure of the body to the mosquito by covering with full sleeve clothes and pant. Also covering the infants with soft cotton cloth or onesies that cover the whole body.

6. Use of natural mosquito repellent:

• The mosquitoes remain away from the scented area. Therefore, it is preferred to apply natural fabric roll-on stick on the clothes of the baby.
• Although the roll-on stick works for a few hours around 8 to 10 hours, but its use keep the mosquitoes away for that period of time. This is because the oil in the roll-on stick evaporates in some hours. Therefore, it does not mean to use it for the whole day or every now and then. The baby is sensitive enough to these products due to their fragrance. I have started applying the Mamaearth anti mosquito fabric roll-on stick after one year.
• I am using the natural fabric roll-on sticks during the night to ensure the sound sleep of the baby without the disturbing buzzing sound produced by the mosquitoes.
• They come in a number of different fragrance. Before applying any of the mosquito repellents do test it on yourself first as to understand the fragrance is soft and natural. Should try to recognize the one which does not irritate the baby on its application.
• Also apply it in less quantity that is only a dot.
• Further, apply the stick on the four corners of the body as the description of the product is specified. Apply it on the clothes and not on the skin to avoid allergy or irritation.
• It is recommended when using any of the mosquito repellents do read the instructions/direction to use very carefully and ensure that it has been a certified product.

7. Use of the liquid mosquito vaporizer machine

• It is recommended to use the liquid mosquito vaporizer after one year baby. I have also followed the same due to the fragrance that these products possess. Therefore, when the baby is younger than one year lookout for other methods for protection from the mosquitoes.
• These are readily available products, less costly and effective method as it makes the mosquitoes sleep for some time.
• Use the Liquid Mosquito vaporizers like All Out, Good Knight, etc with a little window open so that its strong fragrance does not affect the nozzle or irritate the baby.
• Also, use it at the lowest level of liquid vaporization so that it works for a longer time. This is what I follow so that the room is filled with its odour slowly.
• While using the vaporizer notice the reaction of the baby. Any eye irritation or allergy if seen stop using the product or consult the paediatrician immediately.
• Further, switch it off after continuous use of one to two hours for some time. Rather use it only during the peak mosquito hours that is Dusk and Dawn.

8. Use of Electronic UV Light Mosquito Killer Machine/catcher/trapper

The benefit of using this machine is that since it uses UV LED light to attract insects and it does not eliminate any liquid or gas, therefore, there is no risk of any skin or eye irritation. Further, it is portable and effective that lets you sleep peacefully having no hassles of mosquito nets.

9. Use the mosquito racket

• This is one of the most effective and easily available product in the market to kill the mosquitoes.
• Use of the racket is easy, handy, less space consuming and easy to charge product.
• This method gives quick and real time result by killing the mosquitoes.
• The racket is less costly and therefore keep in every room of the house.
• Do keep it away from the baby’ hand as it possesses the electric charge.
• Use it before going to sleep at night and also in the midnight to stop the irritating buzz sound made by the mosquitoes.

10. Maintain neat and clean surroundings
    
    

• Should organize the house in such a manner that there are no dark corners left for mosquitoes to hide.
• Dusting is necessary if not daily then once in a week that helps in recognizing the mosquitoes and responding immediately.
• Mopping the floor of the house regularly by adding Lizol or Dettol or any other disinfectant to the water basket. This is to keep the floor clean and germs free as the baby usually plays on it.
• Maintain cleanliness at toilet and bathroom areas because these are also one of the favorite hiding places for them.

11. Maintain hygiene

• Make the baby bath daily. Add a few drops of Dettol in the water tub before bath. This provides relief on the affected area from the mosquito bite and adds freshness to the day of the baby.
• Keep the food covered because the mosquitoes are attracted towards odour.
• Keep the garbage in the covered bin and dump it daily because the mosquitoes are easily attracted towards the bad smell that comes out of it.
• Wash the mouth and hands of the baby while returning from outside or playing on the ground.

12. Use mosquito cot net/ umbrella net/bed net

• One of the traditional method and also come as a piece of advice from other sources against protection from the mosquito bite. These mosquito nets are easily available in nearby shops and are comfortable enough to use.
• The newborn baby is not able to predict the mosquitoes nearby. Usually, the little one sleeps in the cot or on the bed. Therefore, use the cot net or the umbrella bed net to keep him/her safe and protected.
• As the baby gets older he/she started taking turns during sleep. It becomes difficult to make them sleep under the umbrella net. Therefore, it is preferred to use mosquito bed net that covers the whole of the bed from corner to corner. This keeps the mosquito away from the baby completely. Gives satisfaction to the parents of complete protection from the mosquito bite during sleep.
• Good to use anytime during day or night when breast-feeding the baby. Thereby protecting both mother and the child.
• It is user friendly enough to wrap and keep in the bag after use.

13. Destroy the breeding ground in the house

• Breeding gave birth to the mosquitoes in huge number at a time. This breeding cycle continues with every new mosquito. Therefore, this is one of the biggest threat in protection from the mosquito bite.
• 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
• Ditches around the house
• Cooler with stagnant water
• Water spouts
• Unused tire in the garage
• All we can do is destroy the breeding grounds by throwing the stagnant water or add kerosene oil in the water spout, coolers and wherever possible.
• Further, keeping ourselves aware enough to recognize such breeding grounds in our home and take action immediately.

14. Use of electric fan:

Use fan on high speed. This keeps the mosquitoes away and makes them sit in corners.

15. Use of Repellent scents:

The mosquitoes stay away from the scented place or the object. Some of the fragrances work well in distracting them such as Eucalyptus Oil, Lemongrass Oil, Citronella Oil, Neem Oil, Lavender Oil, etc. Keep vaporizer with such scent in the corners of the house where most of the mosquitoes are flying or sitting.

16. Grow the Repellent Plants:
    
    

You must have heard from various people saying to cut the plants and trees outside your house to keep you safe from the mosquito threat. Because one of the biggest reasons for the mosquitoes entering the house is the plantation that we have in the backyard. To this matter 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

There are many other methods also to protect yourself from the mosquito bite. But because the baby is a sensitive and fragile extra concern is to be taken. All of the above are the best possible ways of protecting him/her from the mosquito bite without any allergy or irritation. Further, I am discussing easy and effective remedies post mosquito bite.

Below are the remedies post the mosquito bite:

Although you are taking care of the little one from the mosquito bite still he/ she gets attached by them. Usually, the newborn baby is not responding to the mosquitoes flying near them. But as they grow of 9 months or older, they started feeling itchiness and little pain after the mosquito bite. They get irritated, cry and rub the bitten area continuously. This results in redness and swelling all over the bitten area. This not only disturbs their day play but also their night sleep. They get up several times during night rubbing the affected area. Therefore, I am sharing some of the tries and tested home remedies that work like magic and cheers the baby.

1. 1. Clean the bitten area with plain water two to three times a day. This relieves the itchiness instantly.
   2. Apply the Vicks BabyRub on the affected area and gently rub it. It gives a soothing effect to the baby and relief in pain.
   3. Apply coconut oil all over the affected area to avoid any marks. It gives coolness over the applied area.

These are the remedies which are being followed personally. As from the other sources as well you may come across some other remedies. But before using any of it do check it first on yourself and later on the baby.

Hope you have find the above suggestions/experience useful and if I missed something to mention therein, do mention in the comment section below. Your valuable comments will be appreciated. Do share the post for others benefit as SHARING IS CARING.