Living without air conditioning can be unbearable for an adult, but it can be downright dangerous for a baby. Infants don't have the ability to regulate their body temperature as well as adults do, so fluctuations in temperature can have a greater effect on their young bodies. In fact, overheating is a contributing factor in cases of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), which is the leading cause of death for children between one month and one year of age.
If your air conditioner has recently gone out and you have a baby at home, here are three things you can do to keep your child cool as you wait for air conditioning repairmen, such as those at Economy Air Systems Inc, to come fix your unit.
1. Place a fan in your baby's room.
When the temperature is warm, babies have a tendency to sleep deeper. This could be one of the factors that contribute to SIDS. If your air conditioner isn't maintaining a cool temperature in your child's room, you can put an electrical fan in the room until the air conditioner is fixed.
Fans circulate air, and placing a bowl of ice in front of the fan can even temporarily cool your baby's room. Studies have shown that having a fan in your baby's room could reduce his or her risk of SIDS by 72%, so be sure to invest in an electrical fan for your baby until your air conditioner can be repaired.
2. Drape wet towels over the furniture in your baby's room.
While you might not think that wet towels would do much to keep your baby cool, draping moist towels across the furniture in your baby's room could lower the room temperature while you are waiting for a professional to fix your air conditioner.
As the moisture in the towels evaporate, air molecules absorb this water. Increased absorption affects the energy rate of the air molecules, reducing their temperature. Adding some wet towels to your baby's room will help prevent overheating when you don't have access to a working air conditioner.
3. Dress your baby in the right fabric.
The outfit your baby is wearing can have an effect on his or her body temperature. If you are trying to keep your baby cool without an air conditioner, opt for outfits made from cotton, linen, or rayon.
These fabrics are made from natural materials that allow body moisture to escape. As sweat is wicked away by the fabric your baby is wearing, his or her body temperature will remain more stable.
Living without an air conditioner can be a hassle, but it doesn't have to be dangerous for your baby. Take the time to add a fan to your baby's room, drape wet towels over the furniture in your baby's room, and dress your baby in materials made from natural fibers to prevent overheating while your air conditioner is being repaired.
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