Can newborns use air conditioning in summer?

It is quite hot in summer and we cannot live without fans and air conditioners, otherwise it will affect our sleep and even cause heat stroke in severe cases. Adults can use air conditioners and fans without any problems, but if there are babies at home, they are more fragile and are prone to catching colds if they use air conditioners and fans, which will have a greater impact on the baby's health. So, can babies use air conditioners in summer?

Newborns can use air conditioning.

The baby who has just come out of the warm and safe mother's belly is not yet accustomed to many things in the outside world and needs to slowly accept and get used to them. Newborn babies can use air conditioning as long as the temperature is set to 26 degrees Celsius or higher. Your baby will sleep better in an air-conditioned environment. However, the air conditioner should not be turned on for too long, and the air should be ventilated frequently, otherwise the indoor air quality will be poor and not suitable for newborn babies. The air-conditioned environment is relatively dry, so you can appropriately increase the amount of water your newborn drinks. If conditions permit, you may wish to use an air humidifier to balance the ambient humidity.

When the temperature is very high, your baby needs to be cooled down in an appropriate way, otherwise he will easily sweat, become dehydrated, or even get sick from heat stroke. However, please note that if the indoor environment is too cold, the baby will not be able to bear it. A newborn's skin is very thin, with very little subcutaneous fat, and its body surface area is much smaller than that of an adult. The heat in the body is lost quickly and produced less, and the baby's body cannot cope with temperature changes well, so it is easy to catch cold. If the situation is critical, the subcutaneous fat may coagulate and harden, a condition called scleredema, which is very dangerous.

1. Keep warm even when the heat is low

No matter how you cool down, your baby's armpit temperature should be kept between 36℃ and 37℃, and the rectal temperature should be between 36.5℃ and 37.5℃. The air from the air conditioner should not be directed directly at the newborn. It is recommended to dress newborns in loose cotton clothing, not too much, just enough to keep them from getting hot and sweating when they are not active. Keeping warm is very important for premature babies with weak constitutions. If the situation is serious, please hospitalize the premature baby and use an incubator for care.

2. Using air conditioner for a long time is harmful to health

The air conditioner should be used in moderation and should not be used continuously for a long time. Newborn babies are prone to dizziness, chest tightness, nausea, and even colds caused by upper respiratory tract infections in an environment with polluted, poorly circulated air and dense bacteria. Newborns have very weak immunity and resistance, and are very susceptible to colds and fevers, or swollen and inflamed tonsils. They may also have diarrhea, constant coughing, and clear runny noses.

3. Indoor temperature and humidity should be balanced

To prevent your newborn baby from catching a cold, please set the air-conditioning temperature above 26°C; if conditions permit, use a humidifier to adjust the humidity. If there is no humidifier at home, you can put a basin of water before going to bed; open windows frequently for ventilation. If the newborn has mild fever symptoms, please increase indoor ventilation, ensure the baby is warm, and take medication if necessary. Also, don't turn off the air conditioner or fan immediately and allow the temperature to rise, as this will be harmful to your baby's recovery.