In the summer months, excessively high temperatures are a frequent phenomenon in our country. Heat is potentially dangerous for everyone, but babies are especially vulnerable to heat and need special care. Summer: breastfeeding newborns/infants
What we should pay attention to in order to protect newborns/infants from the high summer temperatures are the following:
- In newborns, the sweat glands are not fully mature, so when our newborn does not sweat enough it does not mean that he is not getting too hot, on the contrary, he gets hot before we adults even start to get hot. This is because they have a larger body surface area relative to their body mass.
- The most important thing for breastfed newborns/infants is during periods of heat to be adequately hydrated, which means that they should breastfeed more often. Breast milk has a sufficient amount of water, more than 85 %, and helps the newborn/nursing infant to quench its thirst and not be at risk of dehydration.
Summer: breastfeeding newborns/infants
- In addition, the mother's milk inside the breasts is not affected and not altered by the climatic conditions, which means that when it is hot it does not warm up, and on the contrary, the milk that the newborn/infant drinks directly from his mother's breast. Our female body is so unique that when it produces breast milk, the milk is at the right temperature for the baby to drink, regardless of the ambient temperature.
- Also, there is no need when you are at sea and want to breastfeed your baby, to wash your breast. And this is because the antimicrobial properties of breast milk protect your baby from any microorganisms.
- Additionally, newborns/infants should be dressed as lightly as possible. We may simply leave them in their diaper, or in a tank top. Also, lukewarm (not cold) showers or baths are useful.
- During periods of heat, it is advisable to avoid unnecessary movements of the parents with the baby. However, if travel is necessary, it is best to choose morning or afternoon hours. In addition, when traveling by car, under no circumstances should you leave the baby in the car alone, even with the windows open, even if the distance to the place you are going to, for you, is "very short and harmless" ».
- In the sea we choose morning or afternoon hours. We put our baby on suitable sunscreen, a hat, and avoid excessive exposure under the sun.
- If we have an air conditioner or a fan, we make sure that the cool air is not directed at our baby, and we also regularly ventilate the room.
"Be patient moms and babies, it's hot it will pass.... With enough hydration and safe movement and games in the sea, enjoy your summer, and experience unique and calm family moments."
Dimopoulou Paraskevi writes
Nurse – MSc in Public Health
