Instructions for using air conditioners for babies

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Assoc. Prof. TS.BS Huynh Thoai Loan - Head of Pediatrics - Neonatology Department, Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital. Uncle is one of the leading experts in Pediatrics - Neonatology in Ho Chi Minh City with nearly 30 years of experience in examining and treating diseases of pediatric endocrinology, pediatric nephrology and other pediatric - neonatal problems.
When the weather is hot, air conditioning will be the solution to create a good night's sleep for children. However, it is important to know how to use the air conditioner appropriately and safely for children.

1. Should air conditioners be used for babies?

Most parents believe that a newborn baby's body is still immature, has a poor tolerance and adaptability, so they find ways to keep their baby warm, such as wearing thick clothes, swaddling or blankets to keep the body warm. I don't get cold, so I didn't dare to use air conditioning for babies in the summer.
However, this is a misconception, because babies born healthy, full term and weighing 3.5 kg or more have enough fat to keep the body warm. The baby's temperature regulation mechanism is also working so he can sleep soundly and safely at the same room temperature as an adult. On the contrary, if the parents keep it too warm, covering a lot of blankets will not help but also put the baby in more danger.
But if the baby is born prematurely, weighing less than 3.5 kg, it is best for parents to wait until the child is 1-2 months old, depending on the baby's development, before letting the child use the air conditioner.
Note: Because when using the air conditioner, the door must be closed, the air is locked inside. But for young children, air circulation is very important. Therefore, when using the air conditioner, parents should turn on the exhaust fan to create ventilation in the room.
=>> See more advice from a pediatrician of Vinmec International General Hospital: How many degrees should a newborn lie in air-conditioner?

2. How to use air conditioner for babies properly

In addition to the fact that lying in the air conditioner will bring comfort to the child and prevent sudden infant death syndrome in hot weather, the air conditioner also easily dries the respiratory tract, easily leading to respiratory diseases: inflammation. respiratory, bronchiolitis, bronchiolitis.
Especially, when using the air conditioner, if the child is not paid attention and well taken care of, the child may suffer dangerous complications. To properly use air conditioners for babies, without affecting the baby's health, parents should note the following:
2.1. The air conditioner temperature should be between 26-28 degrees Newborns are counted from birth to 30 days old. Newborns do not have the ability to regulate body temperature like older children or adults, especially premature babies. With a full-term baby, properly cared for, the child's normal body temperature will be around 36.5 - 37.5 degrees Celsius. If the child is dressed, put on gloves, socks, hats and blankets. The ideal temperature in an air-conditioned room is from 26 to 28 degrees Celsius.
If the room temperature is above 28 degrees Celsius, in addition to making children sweat, heat rash also increases the risk of sudden death syndrome Infancy, this is the sudden and unexplained death of a child aged 1-12 months. Therefore, parents should reduce the room temperature slowly until the child does not sweat and toss.
To know the exact temperature in the room, families should have a thermometer to measure the room temperature instead of paying attention to the temperature on the air conditioner.
2.2. Do not let the air conditioner blow directly on the baby's respiratory system is still very sensitive. If the fan of the air conditioner blows directly to the face and head, children with weak muscles will be very susceptible to respiratory diseases such as respiratory allergies, rhinitis, bronchiolitis, pneumonia.
The location of the air conditioner should be high, the air vent of the air conditioner should not be placed directly towards the lying child. Should be set to the lowest fan speed and set to rotation.

2.3. The time to turn on the air conditioner does not exceed 2-3 hours at a time. Mother should only let the baby lie down for a maximum of 2-3 hours at a time. This means that every 2-3 hours, the mother should take the baby outside to normal temperature for 10-15 minutes. This is also the time to expel stagnant air, and at the same time incorporate sunlight into the baby's room.
2.4. Do not suddenly take your child out When the child is sitting in an air-conditioned room, do not suddenly bring the child to the outside environment, the temperature difference can cause the child to have a heat stroke leading to fever, flu, cough, etc.
If you want to take the child out, turn off the air conditioner, let the child continue to sit in that room, the gradual increase in the temperature of the room will help the child adapt more easily. When the room temperature is close to the outdoor temperature, then you should take the baby outside.
On the other hand, when the baby comes home from outside and sweats a lot, the mother should also wipe the child's sweat and let the child rest for at least 3 minutes at normal room temperature, avoiding the baby immediately entering the cold air-conditioned room. sudden low temperature.
2.5. Regularly clean the house and air conditioner Pay attention to the maintenance time to ensure that the air conditioner is always clean and running at the right capacity. Regularly clean the room to prevent bacteria from entering.
At the same time, the new air conditioner turns on again after a long time, it needs to be cleaned, pumped gas, shaken off the dust in the filter to avoid mold, bacteria or pathogens that stay in the machine for a long time. affect the baby's respiratory system.
2.6. Keeping the baby's body moisture In addition to paying attention to how to use the air conditioner, the mother also needs to pay attention to the baby's health. Lying in the air conditioner feels cool, but it is also very easy to cause dry skin and dry nose. Mothers should pay attention to regularly instill physiological saline for the baby, and at the same time give the baby many times of breast milk, breastfed children suckle many times to avoid dehydration for the body.
When the child sleeps, the mother also pays attention to cover with a thin blanket, especially covering the abdomen, avoiding dilated pores that easily lead to colds. Change wet diapers regularly and timely to avoid cold baby.
Use baby moisturizer at appropriate intervals to keep baby's skin smooth. Place a small basin of water in the room, near an air-conditioned location. This helps to balance out the dryness of the air.
If the weather is not too hot, it is not necessary for the baby to use the air conditioner. Wind and natural air are still the best for baby's body.
In addition to using the right air conditioner to help babies avoid upper respiratory tract diseases, parents also need to pay attention to nutrition to improve the child's resistance. At the same time, add supporting foods containing lysine, essential micro-minerals and vitamins such as zinc, chromium, selenium, B vitamins,... snacks and less digestive problems.
Parents can learn more:
Why do you need to supplement Lysine for your baby?
The role of zinc - Guidelines for reasonable zinc supplementation
Please visit the website Vinmec.com regularly and update useful information to take care of your baby and family.