Traditional practices
followed by most Indian households are to keep a new born baby indoors for the
first 6 weeks after birth. Intense heat of the summer months can be a challenge
for new borns and new parents, with these tips new parents can look forward to
a bright and smooth summer period.
Summer makes new borns
prone to dehydration so pay attention to your baby’s clothing. Light cotton
fabrics are best and if your area faces a mosquito problem keep your baby
covered to avoid bites. Breast milk has all the required ingredients and
parents should resist the urge to feed water even in formula fed babies, the formula
feed is sufficient. These tips will also protect your baby from sunstroke or overheating
and risk of water borne infections, diarrhea and vomiting.
Sometimes pediatricians
may recommend 20 minutes of sun exposure (avoiding the harsh sunrays exposure
in mild sun rays). This is more so in babies who are mildly jaundiced like
preterm babies. Keep your baby’s eyes covered at such times.
It is common to see a
small white spotty rash in new borns this could be a normal variation or could
be a rash predisposing to infection so always gets a checkup done. Change your
baby’s clothes frequently to avoid perspiration from causing rashes especially
in the fold of the skin. Wash clothes diligently in a mild disinfectant. Keep
your home and surroundings as hygienic and mosquito free as possible.
Disinfectants should be used with caution as it can be difficult for a new born
to safely metabolize and excrete them unlike an adult.
Women who are breast
feeding should take good care of their own diet and hydration status so that
they have good amounts and quality of breast milk. Also take care of your
baby’s strollers as it may get hot if kept outdoors. Check temperature with
great care to avoid any inadvertent burns.
Of course
all the regular vaccines are to be given in a timely manner
Summer can be a
challenge but with these tips you can sit back relax and enjoy the joy of being
new parents!
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