On days as hot as this, it is very difficult for me not to remember the day my first daughter was born: a sub-Saharan heat wave was just crossing the peninsula that the press reported as “historical”. She was born by an emergency cesarean section, so I found myself with a premature baby, newborn, with an abdomen full of staples on days when it was over 40 degrees and nights when the temperature became unbearable, so, In our experience, these are the things that I recommend you keep in mind if your baby is born in summer.
Breastfeeding or bottle feeding should be on demand
Although it should always be this way because a baby asks when he needs it, at this time it becomes even more important, since the risk of dehydration multiplies and he needs to continually replace the water that his body loses. Keep in mind that breast milk is 90% water and that this also provides the necessary salts and nutrients to avoid it , so the baby does not need anything else. Offer the breast or the bottle frequently and remember that even if it is very hot, it is not necessary to give water to babies before six months.
Take some precautions with the air conditioning
Babies are especially sensitive to sudden changes in temperature, but you can use the air conditioning. You just have to try to make the transition in temperature gradual, and keep in mind that it should not give them the flow directly and that it should not be used to sleep .
Do not expose him directly to the sun
The skin of newborn babies is very immature, thin and permeable, so they should not be exposed directly to the sun or apply sunscreen , since some of its ingredients can cause reactions such as allergies or irritations.
Although it sounds contradictory, they should take small “sun baths”, through walks because it helps them for the synthesis of vitamin D, but always opting for the first hours of the morning to prevent the baby from getting too hot.
Put him cool and comfortable clothes
According to a document issued by the UK’s National Health Service, overheating can increase the risk of sudden death. This can happen due to too much bedding or clothing, or because the room is too hot. Always choose cotton for all the clothes you use with the baby (including the sheets).
Don’t put shoes on them
They should never put shoes on a baby who does not walk, since “putting shoes on, even if it is beautiful is completely harmful, since the bone structure of a child takes time to fully consolidate. So if we cover them when they have not yet developed, we are harming their optimal development “ , says According to Javier Ferrer, podiatrist at the Nisa Pardo de Aravaca Hospital
Always carry a light blanket with you
In summer it is normal to be on the street above 35 degrees, enter a place or get on a bus, and freeze in a matter of minutes. Therefore, whatever the temperature , take a blanket with you because you may need it when you least expect it (ours was Aden + Anais).
Prepare the stroller or baby carrier properly
Both in the carrycot and in the backpack, babies can get very hot, so it is vital to prepare them in case we are going to use them in summer. In the case of the stroller, put a cotton cover on it and if you have the option, change the hood for one designed for this time of year (they allow the interior to be ventilated and have UV protection).
If you are going to carry the baby, choose an ergonomic and suitable material, which are generally a kind of mesh that allows air to circulate and prevents the baby from overheating.
At bedtime, keep it cool and protected
Newborn babies do not regulate their temperature well, so in the summer temperatures, it is best to put a cotton bodysuit with suspenders and monitor that the room temperature is adequate. In fact, I remember that in one of the first check-ups we had with our pediatrician when my baby was born, he explicitly told us not to put even a bodysuit to sleep on, which surprised me a lot (although the night temperatures were exceptionally high that year) .
If you live in a place where there are mosquitoes, use a mosquito net or an electronic repellent, but never spray insecticide in the room.
Check your baby’s temperature if you notice it bothersome
If you notice it especially bothersome, the baby may be feeling hot . Take their temperature with a thermometer (keep in mind that the normal is between 36 ° C and 37 ° C of axillary temperature and that in the first days their extremities are colder than the rest of the body and it is not a sign that they are feeling cold ), offer him the breast and leave him in a diaper for a while. In case the baby has a fever, go directly to the emergency room.
Take into account the conditions of the destination in case you go on vacation
If you are going on vacation with your newborn baby, keep in mind that in a place with humidity the thermal sensation is greater and that until 6 months it is not recommended to put them in the sea or in the pool . If you go to the mountain, you should also bear in mind that at an altitude higher than 1,200 m the oxygen drops.
Take care of your well-being
One of the tips that I never came across at such an important time in my life as postpartum was to seek my well-being. Seeing yourself with a newborn baby (especially if you are a new mother) can be so overwhelming that the heat can play completely against your physical and emotional well-being . Find moments to take a relaxing bath or shower, to massage yourself with a refreshing cream, a mask or to have a quiet drink on a terrace. Never forget that to take care you must take care of yourself and be well.
In Babies and More | Heat stroke in children: symptoms to recognize it and how we should act
