CHKD Health & Surgery Center (Newport News) issued the following announcement on Aug. 13
Spending time outside is important to your baby’s health and your own. However, the extreme temperatures of summer months can pose a threat to babies.
Keep your baby safe in the summer heat with these tips.
Check the heat index
Babies don’t sweat like adults do, which makes them less effective at cooling their bodies.
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests avoiding prolonged outdoor exposure with your baby when the heat index is 90 degrees Fahrenheit or above.
If you decide to take your baby outside in the heat, take breaks every 30 minutes or less to check their response to the heat. There are several steps you can take to help your baby stay cool.
- Avoid direct sun exposure and seek out a shady spot. It’s also important to remember that a baby’s skin can sunburn easily, and babies under 6 months shouldn’t wear sunscreen.
- Dress your baby in a single layer of clothing. Clothing should be a light-colored, absorbent but breathable material such as cotton or linen. Avoid dressing your baby in synthetic materials like polyester and nylon.
- Keep infants hydrated with breastmilk or formula. Babies at least 6 months old can also have water.
- Stay indoors during the hottest parts of the day. Early morning and late evening are the best times to enjoy the outdoors.
If your baby shows signs of extreme drowsiness, disinterest in eating or drinking, a flushed face, or sweatiness, they could be overheating.
Take them inside to a cool area, apply cool washcloths or give them a cool bath, and try to give your baby milk or formula to rehydrate.
Call your pediatrician if your baby is still showing signs of overheating, especially if your baby hasn’t had a wet diaper in several hours, is vomiting, having muscle spasms, or is breathing rapidly.
Original source can be found here.
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