Summer is here and it’s one of the most exciting seasons of the year. It’s the season of vacations and swimming, more days of unhurried quality time with the family. However, it’s also the season when rising temperatures can compromise your summer fun. Hot summer days bring discomfort and can affect your children’s health — particularly the babies.
Hot summer days need not ruin the season for you and your family. While blasting your air-conditioning at home is one way to beat the heat, it’s not the only one. Let’s talk about keeping you and your baby cool in the summer.
Health Conditions that Can Jeopardize Your Family’s Summer
The rising temperatures of summer can affect our health. The scorching heat can cause some of the common diseases below:
Heat exhaustion. Heat exhaustion occurs when a person is exposed to high temperatures, particularly combined with humidity and strenuous physical activity. Common symptoms include the following:
- Fatigue
- Excessive sweating
- Lightheadedness
- Nause
- Muscle cramps
- Excess thirst
Heart rash. Otherwise known as prickly heat, heat rash occurs when the skin’s sweat glands are blocked; therefore, the sweat is stuck inside the body and cannot evaporate. Heat rash often manifests in body parts like our backs, armpits, chests, elbow creases, groins, and under the breasts. Symptoms of heat rash include the following:
- Mild swelling and redness in the affected area
- Blisters or small red spots
- Itchy and irritating sensation
Heat stroke. Heat stroke occurs when the body overheats so much that it struggles to maintain regular temperature levels. This medical condition is dangerous and requires emergency treatment immediately. Symptoms to watch out for include the following:
- Rapid breathing
- Loss of consciousness
- Intense headache
- Confusion
- Cessation of sweating
Pay Special Attention to Your Babies!
Unlike adults and older children, babies are not yet good at cooling their bodies since they don’t sweat normally yet. Also, they are unable to tell us if the heat is affecting them. So if the heat index is above 27 degrees Celsius, take these steps to keep your little ones cool while spending time outside:
- Look for shade. When out for a walk, park your baby’s stroller or carrier under a tree or any shady area to avoid direct sun exposure.
- Dress baby in cool clothes. Dressing your baby for hot weather means wearing plenty of moisture-absorbent, light-colored and breathable material. This includes lightweight rompers and cotton onesies. Dress your little ones in fabrics like linen and cotton and avoid synthetic fabrics like nylon and polyester. Remember: babies should be dressed appropriately for the environment. Avoid dressing them up in additional layers, especially if you’re going to take them out.
- Schedule more nap times. Increasing temperatures can cause your babies to feel more tired. Schedule extra rest time for your little ones following their playtime. Giving them enough rest prepares them for the rest of the day.
- Refrain from taking them out during the hottest parts of the day. If you want to take your baby out, do so in the early morning or during the late hours of the evening.
- Have them drink more liquids. Often formula and breastmilk keep babies hydrated. Older toddlers and babies should drink more water while playing outdoors to help stay cool and hydrated.
- Use skin soothers. Babies sweat profusely during the humid summer season. All the sweating can cause tiny red bumps to cluster on their groin or neck, as well as at the back of their knees or in the folds of their skin. To relieve your child of heat rash, remove their outfit and apply baby powder to the affected areas. If they have been affected by sunburn, rinse with cool tap water and apply moisturizer or Aloe Vera to the burned area.
- Use sunscreen. Applying safe sunscreen for your baby is the best way to protect their skin from harmful UV rays. Babies under six months have thin and delicate skin. So, for those days when you take them out, make sure they’re wearing sunscreen. For babies older than six months, apply sunscreen liberally and more often. Re-apply every two hours, or whenever they get sweaty or wet.
Help the Family Beat the Heat
To ensure the rest of your family enjoys a happy and safe summer, preventing health issues that may come along the way should be a priority. Beat the heat together by practicing the following:
- Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Water is a must-have during the summer. We sweat a lot during this season; therefore, water is essential to help us cool down. Not hydrating enough this summer can lead to dehydration and overheating bodies. Make sure that everyone drinks plenty of water!
- Eat plenty of fruit. Drinking cold sodas and eating ice cream are some of the fun ways to cool down during the summer season. These types of foods, however, are not recommended for people with diabetes. Instead of indulging in cold sweets, why not treat yourself to fruits? Fruits like mango, orange, watermelon, and melon are refreshing to eat, especially during the summer. It’s better to eat cold fruits than sweets since they bring plenty of health benefits!
- Take a bath often. It’s hot and anything that can help you cool down is great! Since the Philippines is a humid country, taking baths more often can help. Cool off by showering more throughout the day. Also, incorporate the following products for a cooler shower:
- Safeguard Bodywash Arctic Fresh. This cooling body wash cleanses your skin while eliminating 99.9% of germs, leaving you feeling fresh throughout the day.
- Dove Bar Go Fresh Cool Moisture. Dove’s cooling bar promises an invigorating and refreshing bathing experience! It does more than cleaning; it gives your skin a boost of hydration!
- Human Nature Beauty Powder Light Deodorant. The hot and humid weather keeps us sweating. Keep your underarms fresh despite the sweat with Human Nature’s Beauty Powder Light Deodorant! This deodorant goes beyond odor control, offering a gentle yet effective solution formulated with nature's power.
With a little planning and some effort, you can keep your family cool and comfortable all summer long. Remember, staying hydrated and avoiding the hottest parts of the day are key. By following the tips above, you can create lasting summer memories while staying safe from the heat.
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