Your infant has been pampered by your womb for some time. While in there, your baby relied on your body to keep him or herself warm. But it is up to you to monitor your baby's temperature now, which you can do with an AC. The following guide will show why temperature is so important for your bundle of joy.
Your Baby's Inability To Stay Warm
Infants are too small and do not have enough body fat to maintain their body heat. Infants do not retain heat by shivering like adults do. Your baby relies on brown cells to keep his or her body heat normal. But the problem is that brown cells use up a lot of energy. This causes your baby to get tired quickly and use more oxygen to keep him- or herself warm.
Your baby may become stressed because of fluctuations in his or her body temperature. This could make your bundle of joy irritable or tired.
Remember that the normal body temperature for your baby is between 96.8 to 98.6 fahrenheit.
The Importance Of An Air Conditioning System
Temperature is a fickle foe because you cannot control it unless you have a reliable air conditioning system. It is best to have your air conditioning system installed or serviced before your baby arrives home or do this as soon as you can.
An air conditioning system gives you the control you need to keep your home at a comfortable temperature for your baby. You need to set your temperature anywhere between 68 to 72 degrees. You need to pay attention to your baby's reaction to the temperature you decide on. If it is too cold, it could make your child fussy and could make it hard for him or her to sleep. Your baby's stomach may feel hot and sweaty if he or she is too hot. Both extremes are associated with SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).
Consider the following:
- Dry your infant quickly after a bath, because the evaporating water may make your baby too cold.
- Dress your infant in one extra layer of clothing to keep him or her warm if you must go out into the cold.
- Your baby's head should be uncovered when sleeping in a room at optimal temperature. Cover your baby's head when the temperature is too cold or if he or she weighs less than 8 pounds.
You can talk to your doctor about any other things you can do to keep your baby's temperature safe. For more information on controlling temperatures in your house, speak with experts like Advanced Heating & Cooling.