Babies & Air Conditioners

Posted on: July 31st, 2017by Ivana Stamenkovic

During the warm and humid days, air conditioners are required to help regulate temperature both in the car and indoor. However, what happens when a baby arrives in the house? Is it safe to use the air conditioner in the room where the newborn is? So, if you were ever wondering if the cold air could be harmful to your new baby and weaken her immune system - keep reading for the answers.

Is It Safe to Use an Air Conditioner in Your Baby's Room?

Not only is it safe, but it's also necessary to cool your baby's room with the air conditioner. Newborns don't yet have the ability to adjust their body temperature as well as adults, and they can't tell you whether they're too hot or cold, so you're the one who should look for the signs and maintain the comfortable room temperature. When judging your baby's body temperature, you should touch her neck and chest and not her hands and feet.

It's important that you keep your baby cool during the summer months because it will reduce the risk of your child overheating and heat-related illnesses such as heat rash, dehydration, heat exhaustion or heatstroke. Overheating is particularly dangerous since it can increase the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). So, as long as you take a few precautions, there's no need to worry about using an air conditioner.

What Are the Precautions You Should Take?

Follow these few tips to properly chill out the baby's room and help her sleep better during hot summer days.

Be careful not to cool the room too much - You want to cool the baby, and not freeze her. If you set your air conditioner too low, you could severely lower your baby's body temperature, and it can cause hypothermia. When using an air conditioner, you should set the timer or if your air conditioner doesn't have it, use an alarm clock instead. And if there's no a temperature display, keep the thermometer in the room so you could easily monitor the room's temperature to make sure it's comfortable for your baby.
The difference between the temperature inside and outside shouldn't be too high - It's always best to consult your baby's pediatrician and see what temperature he recommends.
Keep your baby away from the air vents - Your baby will be comfortable even though she's not directly exposed to the cold air coming out of the air vents. Pay attention to air vents in other closed locations, such as restaurants and cars, as well.
Cover your baby and dress her properly - It's always better to dress your baby lightly and cover her than to keep her uncovered but in a warmer outfit. You might think about using a light cap for her head and light socks for her feet. It's best if your newborn has one more layer than you.
Avoid sudden temperature changes - When leaving an air-conditioned room, you should first switch off the air conditioner and give your baby enough time to get used to the warmer temperature. Sudden temperature changes may cause your baby to get sick.
For efficient cooling is important that you regularly clean and service your air conditioner - Your air conditioner should be serviced every season. Check the manual or call the service center for more details about servicing.

What are the Alternatives to Keep Your Baby Cool?

When, for some reason, you aren't able to use the air conditioner, there are alternatives that will help you to cool your baby. You should dress your baby in some loose-fitting clothes made from light fabrics, such as cotton. To regulate the temperature indoor, you can use fans and dehumidifiers. Just like with the air conditioners, your baby should never be placed directly in front of the fan. And on extremely hot days, when the risk of overheating is high, you might think about visiting a public place that has the air conditioning.

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Infant Care Baby Caring
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