Protect Your Baby From The Scorching Summer Heat

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Keep your baby cool and comfortable in this scorching summer heat with these health and safety tips.

Prevent heat rashes
To prevent heat rashes on the babies waist as the sweat collects around the synthetic waistband of the diaper, avoid the use of diapers and switch to cotton cloth nappies. These nappies will also keep the baby cool in summer.

Say 'NO' to ice-creams, popsicles, and fruit juices from roadside vendors.
Do no feed your baby any ice-creams, popsicles, and fruit juice from roadside vendors. Make sure to carry food and water for your baby with you whenever you are out in the sun. Invest in quality food grade plastic ware to store your baby's food. In summer food gets spoilt very fast if it is not preserved well, so taste your baby's food before feeding the baby to ensure that it is not spoilt.

Avoid using talcum powder just after bath
Many feel by applying loads of talcum powder on the baby just after a hot bath will keep the baby's body cool. However this is not the fact, as a research states that powder on wet skin can cake up and cause a lot of irritation and discomfort. Therefore, limit its use, especially in the diaper and neck region. Make sure to use it sparingly and rub it in well.

Avoid massage oils
It is safer to avoid massage oils, in summer, as they can cause infantile eczema or prickly heat if not washed off properly. However, if you would like to continue massaging the baby then use olive oil or coconut oil. Ensure that it is washed off completely and not left on your baby's skin.

Summer Clothes
Dress babies in lightweight clothing that covers the arms and legs of babies. Use brimmed hats. Do not use cheap fancy goggles/eye shades for the baby, as they do not offer proper UV protection and can harm your baby's eyes. Avoid clothes made of synthetic fabrics as they retain heat from the body. It may even result in prickly heat and heat rashes.

Air Condition and your baby
Avoid taking your unclothed baby to an air conditioned room right after a bath as they can quickly catch a cold. If your planing to keep the baby in the AC all day long then dress the child in thicker cotton clothes and inner vest.

Do not let the blast of cold air from the AC to hit your baby directly Experts even advice the parents not to take babies into warmer areas immediately after she/he has been in an air conditioned environment for a long time. Switch off the AC beforehand and let the baby adjust to the temperature change before taking her/him out.

Increase fluid intake
If you are exclusively breastfeeding your baby less than six months old, then you do not need to give extra water, even in hot weather. As research states that even in hot climates, babies allowed to breastfeed whenever they want, do not become dehydrated. So let your baby have as many extra feeds as she wishes.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.