Unlike adults, a baby's body cannot adjust to changes in temperature. Their sweat is still a little, so the body's ability to cool itself is also not perfect.
When the weather is hot, the risk of overheating and dehydration in infants and children can take place quickly. However, do not let your child be cold due to excessive use of AC. Come on, see the rules of using air-conditioning that is safe for babies below.
Recommended AC Temperature
In general, being in an air-conditioned room is safer for babies than letting a newborn baby be exposed in a hot, musty or humid environment. However, don't also get it too cold, Mother. Too cold a temperature can significantly reduce a baby's body temperature and make him sick.
For tropical countries, the ideal temperature for children is usually recommended to range between 23-25ºC. At this temperature, you can put a long cotton pajama on your little one, and give it a thin blanket.
Then, the mother can adjust the temperature to 18-20ºC for newborns who are being swaddled or wear sleepsuit or tight nightgowns up to the soles of the feet.
Use the automatic timer (timer) on the AC to monitor the duration of the AC in cooling the room. If the mother's air conditioner does not have a timer, use the alarm as a reminder. Meanwhile, if the air conditioner does not have a temperature indicator screen, put the thermometer in the room to find out the temperature.
Adjust the temperature periodically, for example if the room feels too cold, raise the temperature. Conversely, if the room feels hot, lower the temperature. It aims to keep the temperature comfortable and safe for the baby, not to be too cold or too hot.
Benefits of Cool Temperature for Babies
Keeping the room temperature cool, such as using air conditioning during hot weather, can help prevent Sudden Death Infant Syndrome (SIDS) Syndrome and help babies sleep more comfortably.
Cool temperatures can also help prevent medical conditions related to heat that are prone to occur in infants, such as dehydration, prickly heat in infants, fatigue due to heat, or even heat stroke or heat stroke.
In addition to making sure your little one is in a cool room, make sure he gets enough to drink to prevent dehydration. Especially when the weather is hot, often offer the baby to suckle from the breast directly. Or, if the baby drinks formula milk, give extra milk.
If you use air conditioning, service and clean the air conditioner regularly, make sure the room is well ventilated, so that there is good air exchange.
The suggestion of using this air conditioner does not mean that your child must be in an air-conditioned room at all times. Give your child time to be able to stay active outdoors and also breathe fresh air, especially in the morning, but avoid sudden changes in temperature. Mother can turn off the air conditioner first, then give it time to adjust to the temperature outside the room.
Mother, let's apply the rules of using air conditioning that is safe for babies so that your little one can sleep comfortably, but don't get sick from the cold.
