Keeping Your Baby Healthy During Rainy Days

Extreme weather is one of the hardest challenges for a parent. From sunburns to stuffy noses, each season comes with its own set of obstacles to overcome. The rainy season is an especially mighty beast that parents in tropical and humid places always need to prepare for.

Keeping your baby indoors during a rainy day isn’t the only step towards safety you should take. There’s just no telling what all the cold weather and extra moisture could do to your little one while you’ve got your back turned. Here are some important tips for keeping your baby healthy during the rainy season.

1. Get Rid Of Outdoor Clutter

It’s never good to leave too many things out in the rain. All this does is leave you with a huge mess to clean up. Some objects can even become safety hazards if they’re left under the rain for far too long.

Getting rid of dangling cords and exposed wires should be your first priority. These objects will short out and spark when they’re exposed to lots of moisture. What was once a tiny piece of wire could turn into a serious fire hazard if it sparks way too close to the house.

You should also bring in cardboard boxes and other paper-based materials. Otherwise, they could turn into messy goop that’s just annoying to clean. Your baby could even end up putting a piece of this goop into his mouth if you aren’t careful enough.

Toys should also be brought indoors while they’re still dry. They could become broken and less fun to play with if they’re just left in the rain. It’s also possible for bacteria to gather inside tiny pockets filled with moisture. When bringing in a toy from the yard, properly disinfect and dry it first before bringing it to your baby.

2. Maintain Warm Room Temperature

Things will naturally feel colder during the rainy season. Since babies can’t really regulate their body temperatures well, they’re very likely to feel really uncomfortable during this time.

The most ideal temperature for a baby’s room is 65 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit. If your home is much cooler than that, try turning off your air conditioner or turning up your thermostat. Let your baby slowly get used to the cooler room temperature while doing this. Exposing him to extremely warm temperatures right away will make him feel terribly sick and grumpy.

Babies have their own preferences when it comes to temperature. Some babies prefer warmer weather, while other babies are okay with cooler temperatures. You can adjust your home’s temperature according to your child's needs. Just be sure to keep your thermostat within a healthy range and avoid changing the temperature to extreme levels right away.

If the weather is still too cold for comfort, provide your baby with additional warmth by swaddling them or adding layers of clothing. You can also use a baby sleeping bag to keep them safe during naptime.

 3. Prepare Healthy And Vitamin-Rich Food

Vitamins are a valuable ally for everyone. Feeding your baby or toddler healthy and vitamin-rich food is a great way to keep them safe from serious illnesses. Of course, breastmilk is also valuable for newborns and younger babies.

You should breastfeed as much as possible during the rainy season. Breastmilk is full of antibodies that can strengthen your child’s immune system. It also provides them with plenty of nutrients needed for optimum growth and development. Formula fortified with plenty of antibodies and nutrients is also a good option if breastfeeding isn’t possible.

Older babies should definitely eat solids that are fresh, clean, and well prepared. This means washing and cleaning cooking materials, utensils, and ingredients properly. If you’ve been handling raw meat before your baby’s mealtime, thoroughly wash your hands and kitchen surfaces first before preparing any baby food.

Tap water isn’t always that safe during the rainy season. It’s best to boil water first before using it in any baby formula. Your baby could end up ingesting lots of harmful bacteria if they drink anything unclean.

4. Shield Your Home From Mosquitoes

Creepy crawlies will be looking for warm shelter during the rainy season. They can sneak into your kitchen, bedroom, and even nursery through tiny cracks and crevices. Mosquitoes are the most dangerous insect to watch out for as they can cause serious illnesses with just one bite.

Mosquito nets are a must-have for the rainy season. They’ll keep your baby comfy and safe all through the night. Another way to keep your baby well-protected is to dress them up in long-sleeved pants, sweaters, and shirts. Pick light-colored clothes as mosquitoes tend to go after objects with dark colors.

Mosquito repellant is another must-have for rainy days. According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), parents of babies older than 2 months should use mosquito repellent with any of the following active ingredients: DEET up to 30%, picaridin, and IR3535. Some suggested brands for families include Avon Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus Expedition, Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus, and Autan. Repellants with oil of lemon eucalyptus shouldn’t be used on children younger than 3.

Another great way to keep mosquitoes away is to get rid of outdoor containers that can gather stagnant water. Any puddle or bucket full of that stuff can become a prime ground for mosquito breeding.

5. Make Your Baby Feel Comfortable

Diaper rash isn’t only a summertime problem. The additional moisture that comes with the rainy season can make diapers even wetter and damper than usual. You should avoid letting your child run around in wet diapers as this can make them sick with colds, diaper rash, and other nasty illnesses. If your baby’s diaper feels too cool to the touch, you can run a hot iron over it for additional warmth.

Clothes that are too tight or too heavy for comfort aren’t great to use during rainy days. When the weather gets a bit warmer, dress your baby up in clothes made of light cotton. It’ll allow your baby’s skin to breathe and lessen his chances of getting rashes. During cooler weather, you can let your baby dance around in clothes made with a bit of wool.

6. Keep Everyone Clean

Dirty hands are usually the number one culprit for the spread of germs. Older kids and even adults can get germ-ridden hands from wet staircases, dirty socks and shoes, and other exposed surfaces. It takes just seconds for these nasties to spread to your baby’s nose and mouth. If you’ve got kids or fellow grown-ups eager to play with your little one, make sure their hands are soaped clean and free of nasty grime.

Your baby might sweat a little when the weather becomes humid. You should wipe any excess moisture off their skin to avoid serious infections.

Toys, books, and other objects can also gather germs if they’re really wet. You’ll need to hold on to a towel and wipe off anything that’s become moist. As stated earlier, bacteria and germs can gather in any place with drops of water.

7. Have Medicine On Hand

Don’t feel bad if your baby still gets a cold or fever during the rainy season. These are normal reactions to sudden changes in weather. When preparing for the worst, consult your pediatrician. He’ll know what medicines work best for your child.

Babies will also experience stuffy noses when the weather gets cold. Ignoring a baby’s clogged nose could lead to problems with breathing and other serious complications. That’s why it’s always important to have an electric baby nasal aspirator at home.

Watolt’s nasal aspirator comes with all the special features that parents need during rainy days. You can learn more about this essential parenting pal at our online store.