New moms and dads especially worry about everything that might impact the health, comfort, and safety of their babies. During the summer months in VA, you might worry about the effect of the cold air from the air conditioning system on your newborn. But is this concern warranted?
Babies get fussy often, and since they cannot communicate to explain what is wrong, often a process of elimination or guesswork has to be used to get them settled. Just like adults, babies need a comfortable environment. It is important to ensure that clothing and room temperature are appropriate. If they sleep and eat in a hot room, they might become uncomfortably warm, which could lead to difficulty sleeping and other issues. Air conditioning is essential in ensuring your baby is always comfortable.
Babies can succumb to heat stress and heat exhaustion far more easily than adults. Warm temperatures might interfere with your baby’s health as well as his or her comfort. Like adults, babies sweat when they get too hot, which means that essential moisture leaves their bodies. If you keep your home too warm, your child might become dehydrated in just a few hours. Dehydration can cause serious health risks, including constipation and vomiting. Running your air conditioner keeps your baby calm and healthy. In addition to running your air conditioner, make sure your baby receives enough fluids throughout the day by consulting with your pediatrician.
Parents often worry about air conditioning because they fear that cold drafts and frigid temperatures could make their baby ill. It is a good idea to place your baby’s crib so that vents don’t blow directly on your child. You can either move the crib or cradle to another part of the room or change the direction of the vents. Also, make sure vents in the hallway blow away from the nursery door if you worry that too much conditioned air is being directed toward your baby’s room
Checking on your baby at regular intervals will help you to keep him or her comfortable. If you notice that your baby has flushed cheeks or a sweaty forehead, you might need to lower your air conditioner’s thermostat or turn on a fan. Just make sure that fans don’t create too much wind in the nursery.
Just like adults, some babies run hot and others are cold-natured. Pay close attention and get to know what works for your child. This will help you to keep the thermostat set to the most appropriate temperature. In addition, dressing your child in lightweight clothing can help keep him or her cool during the hot Virginia summers.
Dirty ductwork and malfunctioning AC units are far more dangerous than running the air conditioner. A poorly maintained HVAC system can circulate dust and other allergens throughout your home, putting your baby’s respiratory system at risk. Additionally, if your air conditioner stops working during the hottest time of the year, you won’t be able to keep your family cool.
To maintain healthy indoor air quality and to keep your system running efficiently, it is important that you schedule regular HVAC maintenance visits. Your HVAC technician will be able to perform necessary tasks such as thoroughly cleaning the system, identifying any problems, and alerting you to any issues that might affect your air quality and your ability to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. It is also very important that you keep your air filter clean by washing or replacing as recommended.
A smart thermostat helps you regulate your home’s climate more efficiently and accurately. New parents struggle with balancing all the commitments and responsibilities in their lives, and a smart thermostat takes one of those obligations off their plate. Just program it with your desired settings or let it learn your habits.
There are several smart thermostat options, including those with Wi-Fi compatibility. If you forget to adjust your thermostat you can simply access the associated app from your smartphone and make the adjustments on the fly.
Your air conditioning system is safe for your baby as long as you don’t neglect maintenance tasks and monitor the temperature and air quality in your home. W.E. Brown also provides highly efficient HVAC and indoor air quality systems to help you to provide a safe and comfortable environment for your baby. Call us today at (434) 295-1177 for more information.
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