Care for summer babies

Soaring temperatures and the scorching heat can make the summer seem relentless. This can be a tough time for you and your baby. Following a few simple precautions can help you and your baby get through the heat.

Common illnesses during summer

The following are the most common dangers for babies during hot weather: Dehydration, fever, overheating, vomiting, diarrhoea, gastroenteritis, prickly heat, skin allergies and rashes.

Hygiene and cleanliness

Summer heat increases perspiration, which can lead to skin infections and rashes. When bathing your baby, take special care to wash her neck, underarms and other visible folds in her body. Increasing the number of proper baths or sponge baths will keep her clean and cool. You could add a few drops of eucalyptus oil or neem oil to the bath to naturally disinfect her body. Regularly clean your baby’s hands, especially if she keeps touching her face.

Clothes

Keep your baby cool and comfortable in loose fitting cotton clothing that lets her skin breathe. When it gets extremely hot some mothers leave their little ones in nothing but a vest or singlet the whole day. Use a summer hat to protect her face when you step out.

Food and drink

As long as you are exclusively breastfeeding your baby, you will not need to give her water. But your baby may feed more frequently and for shorter periods in the heat. This is because she will feel thirsty. But the body is well made because the first milk that comes out is the watery which will give your baby all the fluids she needs.

If you are formula feeding your baby, you might need to give her water in the heat. You will need to be extremely careful about sterilising the bottle or bowl and spoon you use to feed your baby with and making sure the water is safe. Speak to your doctor before introducing the water.

What you eat may affect your breastmilk, which in turn can affect your baby’s health. Some studies show that a baby’s tummy can get upset by changes in her mother’s diet.

Home and surroundings

Ventilate your home by keeping windows open, unless the hot dry wind (loo) is blowing. Throw away stagnant water that has collected in open vessels, like flower pots or coolers.

Pest control can also protect your home against all kinds of disease-causing insects, like cockroaches, ants and flies. Use good quality disinfectant to clean your home.

Pre-summer check

Carry out a pre-summer check in your home. Check that it is clean and safe. Get rid of any potential breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Look for gaps under the door and in the windows where hot air and insects can come in and get them repaired.

Healthcare

When you go out with your baby, keep her away from crowded places, where the chances of catching an infection are high; away from direct sunlight and hot temperatures and use a mosquito net to protect your baby from harmful insect bites. Keep her clean.

Despite your best efforts to keep your baby healthy, babies do fall sick. If this happens then contact your doctor. —www.babycenter.in