Air conditioning doesn’t hurt your newborn baby. In fact, most doctors even agree that it is safer to leave a newborn in an air-conditioned environment than in a hot, stuffy, humid environment.
Always keep in mind that babies, especially newborns, cannot adjust their body temperature like adults. This makes them vulnerable to overheating and heat-related illnesses such as dehydration, heat exhaustion, or heat stroke.
On the other hand, a room that is too cold can severely lower a baby’s body temperature and leave him feeling cold. So, apply these tips that we separate for you to keep your baby safe and comfortable when using the air conditioner:
Air Conditioner Temperature for Newborn: Comfortable Environment
A room that is too cold or too hot can be uncomfortable for your baby. So keep the temperature at a comfortable degree that is not too cold or too hot. Experts indicate a temperature between 22 and 24 degrees Celsius.
This will allow you to wear comfortable cotton pajamas and use a light blanket or comforter. Also, always make sure your baby isn’t sweating or too cold and adjust the air conditioning temperature accordingly.
To check if your baby is too hot or too cold, take two fingers and feel the back of the head and ears. If your baby’s ears are red or hot, or the back of his neck is hot and sweaty, he’s probably too hot.
If your baby is very cold, you can check in the same way. Feel the back of your neck, ears, and even your hands and feet. Although babies’ hands and feet are usually cooler than the rest of their body, especially in the newborn stage, extremely cold hands and feet can be an indicator that your baby is too cold.
Do Not Direct The Air Conditioner Directly At The Baby
Ensure the device does not blow cold air directly onto the baby. You can set the direction of the vane with the air conditioner remote control, look for a function called swing. On some devices, the fin is in motion when we press this function.
As soon as the louver goes up and directs the cold air upwards, press this function again and the louver will stop moving.
Also, as we saw above, you can dress your baby in light clothes that cover their arms and legs well.
This protects your baby from the cold air. Cotton tip-top with long sleeves and even thin pants are important to keep them protected from the temperature, which for us is comfortable, but for them, it can be dangerous.
Do Not Change The Temperature Abruptly
Sudden changes in temperature can make your baby sick. So, don’t take your baby out of an air-conditioned environment abruptly. Instead, turn off the device and give your baby time to get used to the outside temperature.
The opposite is also true, don’t put your baby in a room where the air conditioning has been on for a long time.
A sudden and extreme change in temperature between indoors and outdoors is dangerous. This puts the body of both adults and babies under stress as it is forced to adjust from a hot environment to an air-conditioned one.
Keep Your Baby Well Hydrated
Use an air humidifier with the air conditioner. Some mothers recommend keeping a bowl of water in the bedroom. Water helps reduce dryness by keeping the air in the room “moist”.
You can also take a proactive approach to ensuring your baby is adequately hydrated by checking for early symptoms of dehydration, such as more than 6 hours without a wet diaper, no tears when crying, or a dry, parched mouth.
Note that healthy babies under 6 months do not need extra supplemental fluids (water, juice or milk) because they get adequate hydration and nutrients from breast milk.
