features
W
ith a newborn or young
baby, the summer
months can be a whole
new experience. Your
enthusiasm for road trips and beach
days may give way to anxieties about
heat, travel, sleep (or lack thereof), not
to mention the fact that you can’t even
imagine slipping back into a swimsuit.
Don’t fret, the summer is a great time to
get out and explore, be social and celebrate
this special time with your bubs. Here are a
few tips on how to keep your cool when the
temps are soaring, and make the most of
your postpartum summer.
Too Hot? Too Cold? Or Just Right?
One minute you are in the blazing sun,
the next blasting air conditioners, so how
do you know if your baby is too hot or
too cold? A great way to quickly check
your baby’s temperature is by touching
the back of their neck. If it’s hot or damp
and clammy, try stripping off a layer of
clothing. Fussiness, crying and heat rash
are additional clues your infant could
be feeling the heat. Bring layers so that
if you venture into Arctic temps inside
you can slip a blanket (traditional cellular
blankets are perfect) over your baby and
remove it just as easily. Keep an eye on
any changes in behaviour or fussiness and
routinely check your baby’s temperature
as you move around during your outings.
It’s also important to pay particular
attention to the temperature of your
baby’s sleeping environment. As a
general rule, the recommendations are
to have the air conditioning thermostat
set at about 18 to 20°C. However, for
Hong Kong, and any other tropical and
subtropical place, setting the thermostat
to 22-25 degrees in summer is more
realistic so not to have too much of a
difference in temperature as compared
with outside. If not, use a fan to keep
the air in your baby’s room circulating,
but don’t point it directly at them. I follow
the rule ‘one more layer than you’re
comfortable in’. If you’re sleeping in the
buff, a light t-shirt or gro bag and nappy
should do nicely for your baby.
Heat Rash
Heat rash is quite common for babies
but can be easily avoided and treated.
Keep an eye out for skin that looks red
or pink and bumpy. Heat rash tends to
crop up where airflow is poor such as
where clothing fits snugly, in skin creases
or areas that come in contact with the
car seat, stroller or baby chair. But heat
rash can occur anywhere, even the
face. If you notice heat rash developing,
don’t panic; simply remove the clothing
(including nappy) from the affected area,
and sponge down the skin with lukewarm
water. Leave the rash exposed to the air
and dress your baby in light, loose-fitting
clothing made of natural fibres such as
cotton so it’s more breathable. As long as
you keep your baby cool, the rash should
start to fade in about 12 hours. If you are
concerned, or the rash looks severe, seek
the advice of your doctor or midwife.
Swimming with Your Baby
When can I take my baby to the pool?
It’s summer and you want to enjoy all
the benefits, but even pristine pools
can sometimes carry bacteria which
can cause diarrhoea in very young
infants. Generally, most doctors don’t
recommend taking a baby into a pool,
ocean or lake until they are at least two
months old. Infants get cold very easily
and can’t regulate their temperature as
well as older babies can. Always make
sure the water is warm enough for
them. If it’s a tad chilly to you, it will be
very cold to your baby. If your baby is
shivering it’s definitely time to get out.
The Sun and Your B aby
Believe it or not, the sun is not all
harmful to your baby. Yes their skin is
very sensitive and precautions should
be taken, but the sun can be beneficial
as well. Vitamin D is essential and the
best place to get it is from sunlight.
Sunlight can also be great for babies
with jaundice or eczema. Now we’re
not talking prolonged periods of sun
exposure, but a short walk outside peak
sun hours is great for both the parents
and the baby. The sun has a way of
lifting your spirits, enjoy it; but watch
the amount of time you spend in it.
There certainly are dangers associated
with the sun ranging from simply being
hot and uncomfortable, to rashes and
irritations all the way to sunburn and
skin cancer. You should always be sure
both you and your baby are adequately
protected. Childhood sun exposure is
considered a substantial risk of skin
cancer as your baby’s skin has a thinner
corneum, lower levels of protective
melanin and a higher surface to body-
mass-ratio. Therefore the protection
against ultra-violet rays in childhood
is essential. Choosing effective, safe
sunscreens for your baby is key. And
believe it or not, actual sunscreen is
not your first line of defence. A baby’s
skin is very sensitive so, rather than
Summer 2018
47