Proper baby care: How to regulate infants not to get sick

In the scorching summer sun, air-conditioning is essential for many families with infants. However, not all families know how to keep the air-conditioned infant from getting sick and directly affect the health of the child.
Young children, especially babies, cannot regulate their body temperature the same way as adults. This makes them vulnerable to overheating in the summer and heat-related illnesses such as heat rash, dehydration, heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

Some experts say that a well-ventilated and properly cooled room helps babies sleep comfortably and reduces the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). On the other hand, a room that is too cold can severely reduce the baby's body temperature and cool the baby.

(Illustration)

However, is it okay for the infant to stay in air conditioner? At times of hot weather, parents should still turn on the air conditioner for children, because if not for children to be conditioned, the risk of respiratory diseases will be higher.

However, when using air conditioning for children should also be done properly so as not to affect the health of children. If the abuse of too much regulation will easily cause the baby to suffer from some respiratory diseases such as dehydration, sore throat, dry skin, pneumonia or asthma ....

How to regulate infants not to get sick
According to Dr. Nguyen Tien Dung - Former Dean of the Department of Pediatrics, Bach Mai Hospital, parents who use air-conditioners for newborns should know the rules:

Use air conditioner properly
Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nguyen Tien Dung said that in order to use air conditioners for babies properly, families need to ensure to meet 3 requirements including: one air-conditioning location (or two air-conditioning units), ventilation must be placed in the same direction as the air conditioner and room temperature measuring device.

- First, depending on the air mass and room area, choose an air conditioner accordingly. If the house is big and tall, the volume of air will be high, however, most of the houses are designed with quite low ceilings, so the air flow in the house is not much.

- Next is the use of indoor air conditioning for infants also depends largely on the performance of the air conditioner, the level of air conditioning is new or old. Therefore, it is absolutely necessary to perform room temperature measurement to help regulate the temperature of the air conditioner.

Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nguyen Tien Dung also shared, many houses usually adjust the air-conditioner temperature from 25-26 degrees but the room temperature is just below 22 degrees. In addition, there are also families that set the air-conditioner low but in the room the temperature is quite high.

Use the right air conditioner to keep your baby healthy. (Artwork)

- Besides, according to Assoc.Prof. Dr. Nguyen Tien Dung, if the room temperature is stable, the condition is that a ventilation fan is required, this fan needs to be installed in the same direction with the air conditioner. However, many families should not install a ventilation fan, but if there is no ventilation fan, the room will be air-tight, dangerous to health.

- Finally, it is also important for families to check the location of the air conditioner. Such as the 2-room air conditioner should be placed on high, 1 air conditioner should be placed below, in the room should have temperature measuring device to adjust to room temperature (should not adjust the temperature of the air conditioner ).

Room temperature is not the same as air conditioner
Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nguyen Tien Dung also advises, the most suitable temperature for babies is between 26-32 degrees C: "When using air conditioning for babies, it is always necessary to set the temperature of the air conditioner higher than the adult air-conditioning level because children are sensitive, and parents should not rely solely on their senses to adjust infant air conditioning. especially based on the health and age of the baby ".

Also according to Assoc.Prof. Dr. Nguyen Tien Dung, for premature babies or newborns in the first week, the most suitable temperature is 32 degrees C. For full-term babies, the most ideal temperature is about 30 degrees. C, depending on the age of the baby. However, families should set the air conditioner at the most appropriate temperature is about 26-32 degrees C.

The temperature decreases as the child gets older and families should only increase or slowly, from 0.5 to one degree until they feel comfortable, the body does not sweat or cough ".

In addition, according to the share of BS. Nguyen Thi Thanh Binh - Advisor in Neonatology Department - Tu Du Hospital, the room temperature for newborns from Du Du if full term will be from 26-28 degrees Celsius if the following conditions are met:

+ Babies are swaddled, wear shirts, pants, wear hats, gloves, gloves.

+ Children are lightly blanket and warm up.

+ When the baby is wet, they must change immediately

+ Children do not lie slightly cold (airflow is blowing from the air conditioner).

+ Do not leave fans in air-conditioned rooms.

+ The newborn baby room must be clean and airy, not too many objects in the room (prone to mold generation).

+ In the room do not have too many people (because respiratory illnesses may arise).

+ Do not regularly carry children outside the room because the difference in temperature will cause increased secretions in the nose and throat of children.

+ Babies must be breastfed fully.

Breastfeed your baby much to make up for water
Air-conditioned baby with dry skin is quite possible. This is due to dehydration when using air conditioning in the room. When dehydration, children not only dry skin but also prone to weakness, susceptible to illness. So. You should add breast milk or formula to help rehydrate your baby.

Regular hygiene will help keep your baby from getting sick. (Illustration)

Do not turn on the air continuously 24/24
If you turn on the air conditioner all day, the air will not escape and get stuck, affecting the respiratory system of the newborn. Therefore, the mother should turn off the air conditioner at least twice daily, open all the doors and use a cooling fan to blow out the stagnant air in the room. At the same time, you should incorporate sunlight into the room as much as possible.

Notice the 3-minute rule
The difference and changes in temperature between inside and outside the room will cause the child's resistance to be "knocked out" very quickly. You should note that every time you want to let your children out of the air-conditioned room, they need to open the door about 3 minutes earlier, for children to gradually contact the air source in the room, wipe their sweat (if any) and give children sit rest for at least 3 minutes at room temperature. In particular, children should be avoided immediately in an air-conditioned room with sudden deep cold temperatures.

Air conditioner should not be placed in the sleeping area
Newborns have relatively sensitive respiratory systems. If the blower of the air conditioner blows directly to the face or head will make you susceptible to respiratory illnesses such as bronchitis, sore throat, rhinitis, respiratory infections. The most common symptoms are babies coughing, stuffy nose, fever ... when lying in air conditioner for long.

Infants with air conditioning or fans better?
Many families choose fans instead of using air conditioners for children. However, if you use a lot of fans will cause the fan wind straight into the baby and easily cause problems such as difficulty breathing, stuffy nose, making the baby's respiratory system not working properly.

In particular, during the cooling process, the propeller will absorb dust very strongly, when creating a breeze that will send dust flying towards the young. Therefore, parents should pay attention to the fan in rotation mode to help the wind do not blow directly on the baby.

If you use a lot of fans will cause the fan wind straight into the baby and easily cause problems such as shortness of breath, stuffy nose. (Illustration)

In particular, the steam fan should not be placed in a room with infants for a long time because it can cause air humidity to rise, which is a favorable condition for mold and harmful bacteria to grow quickly. Meanwhile, air conditioning helps regulate the room temperature better, but it is necessary to implement ways to prevent the newborn from air conditioning from illness such as Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Tien Dung has shared. On cooler days, you can use fans instead of air conditioners.

Should infants with coughing should lie down?
The use of air conditioning for infants with a cough or sore throat also needs special attention. Ideally, you should consult the doctor before giving the child with a cough is conditioned.

Hopefully, with the above mentioned ways to keep babies air-conditioned from illness, the mother will gain a lot of knowledge in the process of raising children.