Surprising Facts About Newborn Care In The Summer
Let go of worries about the rising mercury and learn the best way to care for your newborn this summer with these handy tips with Surprising Facts About Newborn Care In The Summer
“GIVING birth to a baby in the Indian summer is never easy,” says M&B’s expert paediatrician Dr Geetanjali Shah. What proves to be a tough challenge is caring for your newborn and protecting her from the scorching tropical heat. “The only saving grace for a newborn baby is that she is breastfed during the first six months of her life and that reduces the risk of dehydration,” she says. If, under special circumstances, the baby is being given formula, then it is very important that the formula is prepared according to exact proportion. Apart from the magic that breastmilk wields, newborns have the special protection up to the age of six months that is provided by maternal antibodies which are transferred while in the womb. These antibodies help to fight against seasonal ailments and infections. While caring for your newborn this summer, Dr Shah suggests…
BABY’S HEAD:
Newborns tend to perspire a lot on the head but it is a misconception that perspiration causes your baby to catch a cold. There is no correlation, clarifi es our expert. In order to wipe the sweat from your baby’s head or body, it is advisable to use a wet cloth instead of a dry one, since the sodium content in the perspiration may cause a rash. Unless your baby is preterm or you are stepping out with your little one, there is no need to cover your baby’s head with a cloth cap, even though this may be a conventional practice. Cradle cap is also a common condition in many newborns. In India, it is believed that applying generous amounts of coconut oil on the head helps in reducing the cradle cap on the baby’s head. But this is a myth that should be avoided. Cradle cap is a sign of fungal dermatitis and if your baby shows signs of it, then use an anti-fungal lotion on her head. Avoid application of oil if dermatitis or heat rash is seen.
BABY’S FACE:
Summer may cause heat rash to appear on the cheeks, nape of the neck and the ‘necklace’ area and the best way to handle this is with the use of dusting powder, recommended by your paediatrician. Dr Shah recommends using two spoons of sandalwood powder in the bath water of babies, which can help in reducing the rash. For slightly older babies, a traditional mixture or lep may be applied, but for newborns, the bath water addition works best as a remedy. Another generalised remedy for increased heat-related body rash is the application of coconut oil on the soles of the baby’s feet.
BABY’S EYES:
The harsh sunlight may cause irritation to your baby’s eyes. This kind of photophobia can be countered with the use of hats or shades that can be attached on prams. Your little one may indicate a problem of dry eyes when you observe that she is rubbing her palms over her eyes too often. Mother’s milk or water can be refrigerated for two hours before a cold compress is given on the baby’s eyes with a piece of soft cotton.
BABY’S NOSE:
Winter is the time when mums are most concerned about moisturising the baby’s skin but our M&B expert informs that summer is also a time when the problem of dryness is noticed. The mucosa of the nose dries up and tends to bleed in older children but in newborns this is not so severe. Applying a thin film of pure ghee or clarified butter on the nostrils with your finger tips can have a soothing effect if any dryness is seen.
BABY’S EARS AND TONGUE:
Normally, the summer heat does not affect the tongue and ears of a breastfed baby, but if any symptoms are noticed, then it should be brought to the notice of a child specialist.
BABY’S TUMMY, HANDS AND LEGS:
Heat rash or redness of the skin may be observed during summer. Applying aloe veragel for a slight skin flush or blisters is a good natural remedy. Baby powder is very popular among mums but Dr Shah explains that it has no role in preventing heat-related discomfort. If perspiration is heavy and yeast or fungal infection appears, then the best way to manage it would be specific dusting powders available to tackle these irritants. Massaging the baby with oil should be avoided on a daily basis. An alternate day massage with cooling oils like coconut oil or olive oil as opposed to heat-inducing oils like sesame, almond or mustard. While using soap every day is alright, it is better to select a moisturising soap, as the skin can get dry during summer as well. Application of baby lotion to keep the skin moist is not advisable during the summer.
BABY’S GROIN AND STOOL AREA:
With changing lifestyles, even very young babies may be on the move along with their parents and this requires frequent use of conveniences like disposable diapers and baby wipes. As a new parent, you need to be careful about the baby’s comfort and watch out for any signs of redness in the groin or the stool area. The first step or home remedy for such redness is the supplication of cold ghee in the area and then you can move on to nappy rash creams. Dr Shah suggests that it is best to stick to cloth diapers while caring for your newborn in the summer.
Source: motherandbabyindia.com
