My granddaughter is almost three weeks old. The weather in Hanoi is very cold, so I've dressed her in warm clothes and added two thick blankets, but her body is still very warm. Is keeping her warm like this correct? (Quynh Lien, Hanoi)
Reply:
Newborns have weak immune systems and respiratory systems. In the early stages of life, babies are unable to regulate their body temperature. If exposed to excessively cold weather, their sensitive bodies are susceptible to illnesses such as pneumonia and respiratory infections.
Maintaining a stable body temperature for babies is essential. However, many families tend to over-warm them, dressing them in too many layers of warm clothing and wrapping them tightly in thick blankets, causing them to sweat excessively, catch a cold, and negatively impact their health.
To keep your baby warm during the winter, please note the following principles.
4 warm - one airy
Four parts of a child's body that always need to be kept warm are their hands, feet, stomach, and back. Children should wear socks, mittens, and multiple layers of soft, breathable clothing instead of one thick layer.
Keep the child's back moderately warm, avoiding excessive sweating which can cause sweat to soak back into the body and lead to a chill. In the same weather conditions, children should wear one more layer of clothing than adults.
A baby's head should not be covered by a hat that constantly covers the fontanel. Allow the baby's head to breathe when the room temperature is warm, when they have a fever, or when sleeping. The fontanel only needs to be covered when it's cold, when the room doesn't have a two-way air conditioner or heater, after bathing, or when going outside.
Parents should put a hat on their child to cover their fontanel and dress them warmly in thick clothes when going outside. Photo: Freepik
The clothes are soft, smooth, and stretchy.
Parents should choose socks, gloves, and clothing for children made of soft, stretchy cotton to ensure their comfort. Clothing should be absorbent and avoid rough, stuffy materials that can easily cause diaper rash and skin irritation.
When caring for children, parents should regularly check for sweat on their backs, arms, and legs to wipe it dry or change their clothes.
Keep the room clean and well-ventilated.
Maintaining a stable room temperature is essential for the comfort of both mother and baby. The family should keep the room clean, use a fan for ventilation, and if using air conditioning, ensure adequate humidity. If using heating devices, avoid continuous use. Prevent drafts from directly affecting the baby's sleeping area. At night, avoid wrapping the baby in overly thick blankets; only dress them in two layers of clothing.
Things to note when showering
During cold weather, babies should be bathed in a closed room with warm water at 33-37 degrees Celsius in the late afternoon or evening. Bathing should only be done 2-3 times a week, for 5-7 minutes. Parents should bathe the baby from the feet up to the body to help them adapt to the water temperature. After bathing, wrap the baby tightly in a towel and gently dry them.
Mothers should ensure their babies receive sufficient breast milk and follow their doctor's instructions for nasal and throat hygiene to keep their respiratory system clear and clean. Diapers should be changed immediately after each urination or bowel movement. If the baby shows symptoms of a cold, such as coughing, fever, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms, parents should take their child to the hospital for examination and treatment.
MSc. Dr. Trinh Thanh Lan
Neonatal Center, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City
| Readers can submit questions about childhood illnesses here for doctors to answer. |
Source link
Comment (0)