All About Keeping Your Baby Comfortable This Summer

My niece Nisha has just delivered her first baby, a baby girl; she was excited at the same time worried about how she would make her baby comfortable this summer. It was then that I told her about the grandma tips of looking after babies in summer.

I told her that her baby should neither be overdressed nor exposed; overdressing could lead to heat rash, while exposure could bring about painful and damaging heatstroke or sunburn that could cause high fever and rapid breathing and increase the incidence of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

I then told Nisha that it was best to dress the baby while indoors in loose fitting and lightweight garments made out of natural fiber like cotton. While outdoors she could be dressed in long pants, long sleeved shirt and a wide brimmed hat to shield her face; I asked her to avoid exposure on a gray day to the harmful and penetrating rays from the clouds.

I thought it was best to tell my niece that it was best to use a lightweight nylon baby carrier rather than a denim one; this would keep the baby comfortable. She should remove the baby once she has a flushed look.

Next I told Nisha that her baby should be provided good ventilation; it could be life threatening leaving a baby in a hot room or a parked car. Outdoor activities were best planned before 10am in the morning or after 2pm in the afternoon.  

Now it was time to tell Nisha that it was essential to keep the baby well hydrated; the warning signs of dehydration being a flushed face, a warm skin, rapid breathing and restlessness. Babies below the age of 6 months should be given frequent formula or breastfed, while a baby above the age of 6 months should be given 50% more of fluids.

Nisha was an outdoor type, so I told Nisha that it was best to look for a protected spot like a tree, an umbrella or a canopy while at the beach or park; also it was best to use sunglasses that block at least 99% of UVA and UVB radiation.

It was time to tell Nisha about a sunscreen for her baby’s thin and delicate skin; make sure the baby wears a bit of sunscreen when exposed to sunlight;. More frequent and liberal applications can be made on babies older than 6 months; make sure you choose a waterproof sunscreen designed for kids, with SPF 15.

Lastly I told Nisha to apply cornstarch baby powder to area where there are tiny red bumps on the neck, groin, back of knees and the creases of his/her elbows. I asked her to also ensure she kept the baby in a cool well ventilated room. I asked her to contact her doctor in case of sunburns, advising her to not pop blisters in the skin.