In this article, we have compiled the questions frequently asked by families with newborns or young babies about the physical characteristics of the environment where their babies live, and the answers to these questions.
What should be the temperature of the environment where babies live?
Babies' physiology, body temperature and the control mechanisms of this temperature are different from each other. Additionally, there are climate and temperature differences between countries and regions. Therefore, it is difficult to define the ideal environmental temperature that will cover all babies. For healthy babies born on time, the ambient temperature seems appropriate to be 20-22 0C. Preterm or sick babies may need higher ambient temperatures. Therefore, each baby should be evaluated on its own terms.
How does high or low ambient temperature affect babies?
Ambient temperature that is too high or too low can cause serious health problems in babies. For the health and comfort of their babies, parents should, on the one hand, be careful to keep the ambient temperature at an appropriate level for their babies, and on the other hand, to dress their babies in accordance with the environmental temperature.
The most important side effects of high ambient temperatureare excessive wear on the baby. sweating, fluid loss and rash development. Babies tend to sleep more in warm environments. Problems such as difficulty waking up, reluctance to feed, and low blood sugar are more common in these babies. Studies show that high ambient temperature causes an increase in the risk of sudden infant death (crib death).
The humidity rate decreases in warm air. Dry air causes dryness in the respiratory tract of babies, swelling of the inner wall mucosa and narrowing of the respiratory tract. This makes it difficult for the baby to breathe. Additionally, nasal congestion is common in babies who stay in extremely hot environments.
When the ambient temperature is too low, babies are often restless, cannot fall into a deep sleep and cannot sleep comfortably. In addition, problems such as decreased activity and sucking, feeding problems, low blood sugar and not being able to weigh adequately may be observed in these babies.
Is it useful to use a room thermometer?
Yes. t of ambient temperature It is useful to have a thermometer in the baby's room as it makes monitoring easier.
How can parents tell if their baby is cold?
The baby's body temperature should be checked at regular intervals. Having the mother and the baby in the same room in the first months makes these checks easier.
Parents often worry about their babies getting cold. For this purpose, they try to decide about their baby's body temperature by touching their hands and feet. This is a common mistake. Babies' hands and feet are generally colder than other body parts, and this is normal. Making decisions based on the temperature of the hands and feet causes the baby to be considered cold and overdressed. The most suitable areas for controlling the baby's body temperature are; chest, abdomen, back of the neck (nape) and back. When it is determined that the body temperature is low in the control made in these areas, the clothes can be increased by one layer. On the contrary, if the baby's skin is hot, humid or sweaty, his clothes can be reduced by one layer.
Should accessories and items such as hats, beanies, covers or quilts be used to maintain babies' body temperature?
Provided that the ambient temperature is suitable, a healthy baby should be kept indoors. There is no need to wear a hat, beret or headgear in these environments.
Bed covers, blankets and quilts can cover the baby's head and make it difficult for them to breathe, increasing the risk of sudden infant death. This risk is highest under one year of age and in duvets and covers that are too heavy to prevent the baby's movement. For this reason, it is not recommended to use a duvet or cover to maintain body temperature, especially in babies under one year old. Baby rompers may be preferred for these babies to maintain body temperature. Appropriately sized overalls provide ease of movement and have a low risk of obstructing the respiratory tract. When a bedspread or blanket must be used, care should be taken to keep it lower than the shoulder and secure it by the foot to reduce the risk of suffocation.
Clothing for the baby should be chosen appropriately to maintain a constant body temperature. Clothes that are tight on the baby's body While clothes that are too loose can cause heat loss and sweating, clothing that is too loose can cause heat loss and chills. In addition, depending on the climate and ambient temperature, the material and heat permeability of the clothes should be taken into consideration.
Can heaters and coolers be used in the baby's room to regulate the ambient temperature?
On very hot days, the environment can be cooled by closing the curtains and blinds and opening a window in the room where the baby is located. An air conditioner or fan can also be used to reduce the ambient temperature or ventilate the room. In this case, care should be taken to ensure that the air coming from the device does not come directly onto the baby. Covers around the baby cot can trap hot air inside the cot (greenhouse effect). For this reason, care should be taken to ensure that there is only a railing on the edge of the baby bed or that the cover covering the edges of the bed, if any, is air-permeable.
When the ambient temperature is low, the environment where the baby is located can be heated with radiators or heaters, provided that it is away from the baby's crib. However, a hot water bottle or electric blanket should never be placed in the baby bed.
What should be the humidity of the baby's environment?
It is recommended that the humidity of the baby's room be around 50% (45-55). In cases where the room air is extremely dry, a water container or wet towel can be placed on the heater or radiator to increase the humidity level. Since excessive humidity will cause some problems, the use of steam machines is not recommended except in special cases.
Read: 0
