Cool off!

Beat the heat nanni style- Nimbu Panni

Summer can be a hard time for all of us. It is no different for babies. Here are some useful pointers to help your baby cool off this summer.

Clothes:

• Dress your baby in cool cottons. Make sure you read the label on the dress to know what it is made of. Cottons are clothes that "breathe" .
• Stay away from tight clothes. Keep clothing loose yet not hindering movement.
• Try to switch to cloth nappies this summer. Ones that our mommies used for us remember. Off-course this means changing and washing dozen times a day, but cloth nappies are made of cotton and cottons "breathe"!

Hair:

Yes its that time of the year for the summer cut. Ask your beauty salon for someone who knows and is trained to cut hair for babies. Also ask the stylist to cut your baby's hair so that the baby's scalp can "breathe".
I remember as a kid I used to hate getting my hair cut & I see proof to this day that hair cuts do not go down well with many kids, except for one little girl whose mommy had gotten her so excited about going to look "SO MUCH MORE BEAUTIFUL" after she cuts her hair. She sat still the entire time while getting her hair cut and ran to her mom after to seek approval! Take the hint parents. Push the right buttons and get them excited and the rest will be a breeze.

• If you do not want to cut hair go in for a trim its always good.
• Style baby's hair in such a way that it does not fall on the neck and swept away from the face.

Fun:

• Summer is the ideal time to hit the pool with your little one. You too can jump in and bust the heat. Make sure baby has floaties at all times in the pool and supervise them all the time.
• If you will be hitting the beach then to be on the safer side keep babies less than six months old out of the direct sunlight, use and umbrella, clothe appropriately and wear a hat. Use a prescribed sunscreen lotion on kids over six months old. Now you are all set to make the good ol' sand hill and tunnel; catch your kid's hand through the tunnel and laugh! Come back home and have a the little one enjoy a cleansing & relaxing bath.
• Avoid going out in peak sunlight hours from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Keep baby in the shade and out of the sun.
• While taking an early morning/ late afternoon stroll with your baby avoid direct sunlight exposure. Babies have sensitive skin. Make sure they have wide brimmed well-fitted cap on and keep them in the shade of their stroller.
• We all love the fun plastic shades that comes in all the colors of the rainbow. But do be aware that these shades do not offer UV protection this affects baby's eyes. An ophthalmologist or your doctor will be happy to help your baby get accessorized to beat the heat.

Prickly Heat:

• Use a prescribed baby powder to avoid prickly heat. Use sparingly and gently rub in. 
• Consult a doctor if baby gets prickly heat. He will probably ask you to use some calamine lotion or aloe. Aloe is known to help heal sunburns and diaper rashes too. But do consult your doctor before you do use aloe.

Massage:

• Use oils which have a cooling effect to massage your baby this summer.
• Take time out and get one for yourself. We all know you need it.

Fluids:

• Be aware that in summer everybody gets de-hydrated quickly. Give kids lots of water and juices.
• Coconut water, lassis, fresh juices will help. To help cut your budget with juices you can also mix water to make more juice. The plan after all is to stay hydrated.
• If you are nursing your baby, make sure you are well hydrated. Keep in mind that your breast milk is going to help your baby stay hydrated. Let baby feed as many times as she wants. Babies have been known to take short feeding at short intervals to stay hydrated. Be aware of your baby's hunger.

Useful Tip:

If baby is feeling very hot use a water dampened cloth and wipe down your baby. This helps lowering temperature down.