- Parents have to be extra careful when dealing with children, especially infants and newborn.
- Over-heating becomes the direct cause of summer diarrhea, which even become a fatal for many new born.
Panchkula 24 May 2016: Summer is a very harsh season with scorching sun rays often causing skin problems and health issues such as diarrhea and dehydration. Irrespective of factors such as age and gender, the season tends to have impact on all. While adults can take care of themselves, parents have to be extra careful when dealing with children, especially infants and newborn.
While there are numerous issues that can trouble a new born in summers, over-heating becomes the direct cause of summer diarrhea, which even become a fatal for many new born. However, mothers need not get paranoid as keeping few points in mind can make the season comfortable for their baby. Primarily, all you have to do is keep the baby cool.
Dr. Krishan Yadav, HOD & Consultant Neonatologist, Paras Bliss Hospital, Panchkula Said “In a case of new born, the summer becomes extremely unbearable for them as they face season for the first time. Judging the body conditions of new born often becomes challenging because they tend to repeat their body movements and actions irrespective of weather. However, signs such as loud and non-stop cries, profuse sweating, damp hair, flushed cheeks, heat rash and rapid breathing are often indicative of them suffering from excessive heat”.
While there are numerous issues that can trouble a new born in summers, over-heating becomes the direct cause of summer diarrhea, which even become a fatal for many new born. However, mothers need not get paranoid as keeping few points in mind can make the season comfortable for their baby. Primarily, all you have to do is keep the baby cool.
Keep them at bay from direct sunlight
The first and foremost precaution to keep in mind for the newborn during summers is to keep them away from direct sunlight.
Full tub bath to keep cool
Bathing is the best to beat the heat. While it is preferred to sponge the baby than giving a fulltime bath, a full tub bath is recommended in case the baby turns restless due to heat.
Oil body massage for growth
Body massages helps in growth of the baby. Proper massaging helps the tissues and muscle to open, thereby encouraging growth of the baby. However, during summer, you should careful while choosing oil for massage. While it is essential to select oil that is best suited for the baby’s delicate skin, it is also important that it should not be sticky.
Talcum powder for dryness and comfort
Applying talcum soon after a tub bath is often recommended and followed. However, use of talcum powder depends on the skin type of you baby. While in some cases, use of talcum powder helps in reducing heat rashes, in others aggravates the condition. However, in any case, while using talcum powder you should be careful that the powder is directly applied to the baby and not inhaled by her.
Keep them under controlled temperature
It is recommended to keep the baby in a temperature ranging between 16 to 20 degrees. It is advisable to pull the curtains and blinds in the baby’s room during the day time to keep it cool. You can also leave the fan on to let the air keep circulating in the room. However, do not keep the baby directly near the air conditioner as it cause cold to the baby.
Cloth her right
Often, mothers are confused while dressing up the baby. According to the myth new born should be heavily dressed as the temperature outside the womb is colder than inside the womb. However in case of summer, you can keep a bit light by reducing the layers. It advisable to make the baby wear loose fitted cotton clothes to let her skin breathe and stay comfortable.