9 Monsoon Essentials for Babies to Keep Her Happy & Healthy
Monsoons bring a pleasant change from the blistering summer heat, and if this is your first rainy season with your baby, it’s sure to be a special one. Watching your little one gaze at the greenery, admiring water droplets and rainbows outside, is an experience you don’t want to miss. But we can’t forget that the rainy season also brings with it humidity, bacteria, and mosquitoes, which can cause diseases if they are not taken care of, especially when babies are considered. Here are six essentials that will keep your baby safe this monsoon season so he can enjoy the weather outside without any discomfort!
9 Baby Essentials for the Rainy Season
Monsoon air is laden with moisture, the perfect environment for fungal and bacterial growth. Not to mention, this season offers the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes and insects, who try everything they can to enter your home. Here are essentials that will safeguard your baby on rainy days.
1. Mosquito Repellent
Let’s be real: no matter what you do to keep the mosquitoes out, a few pesky ones always manage to find their way indoors. And what’s worse, they carry all kinds of diseases, ranging from dengue and malaria to Zika and yellow fever, which are even more dangerous to babies (1). In that case, a mosquito repellent always comes in handy. You may be wondering if these are safe for babies, and you can easily find ones that are. Child-safe mosquito repellents made with natural ingredients work wonders in keeping these carriers of diseases away without harming your baby’s skin. The BabyHug 100% Natural Mosquito Repellent Range consists of gels, sprays and patches that are child-safe, DEET-free and environment-friendly. Each product is made from a blend of citronella, lemongrass and eucalyptus essential oils, which provide natural protection from mosquitoes and are safe for babies above three months of age. Simply spray or rub in and receive up to eight hours of mosquito-free comfort. This way, your baby can play and sleep in peace!
2. Effective Skincare
A good skincare routine is a must during the monsoons to keep your baby’s skin clean and nourished. Use a gentle body wash to bathe your child each day. You should ideally wash his hair every 2-3 days to prevent the buildup of sweat and use a no-tears, baby-safe shampoo to do so. Dry his body and hair thoroughly (and gently) after the bath, especially making sure his hair is completely dry so he doesn’t catch a cold. Apply a baby powder with a powder puff to get rid of any remaining moisture and keep the skin dry, but don’t go overboard with it. While changing your baby’s clothes at night, you can run a wet wipe across his body and apply some powder. These steps hardly take a few minutes but work wonders in keeping your little one’s skin clean and healthy during the rainy season.
3. The Right Clothing
Clothing can actually play a huge part in your baby’s health during monsoons. Any dampness or moisture in your baby’s clothes from water, baby food or incorrect drying of clothes can lead to fungal infections. Also, dark clothing and sweat mean ‘hello mosquitoes.’ Make sure that you dress your child in light-coloured and breathable fabrics, preferably cotton. Just before it gets dark, you could also stick a couple of the Babyhug Natural Mosquito Repellent Patches on your child’s clothes and bed. These are perfect if your baby has sensitive skin that could react to a topical product. These patches provide up to 12 hours of protection from mosquitoes and do not leave any residue when removed. Easy, right? Another tip: always make sure your baby’s clothes are completely dry before you store them. You could also place them under the fan or run a hairdryer over them if they refuse to dry properly in this season.
4. Squeaky-Clean Diapers
Babies tend to pee more during the rainy season due to the humidity and moisture in the air and cold weather. Make sure to change your baby’s diaper more frequently during this season and adopt a stringent diaper routine to prevent bacterial growth. Use wet wipes and thoroughly clean your little one’s bottom. Let it dry for a couple of minutes before you put on the new diaper. Having a clean diaper without the constant feeling of wetness will also help your baby remain calm and happy throughout the day, so prepare for those super-adorable smiles!
5. Strong Disinfectants
A strong and effective disinfectant need not be chemical-laden. When buying disinfectants, make sure to look for baby-safe ones that are natural and plant-based. These get rid of germs without harming your baby. It can be tough to mop all the rooms in your house with a disinfectant twice a day, but you can do it for the room your baby sleeps in, just to make sure it stays clean. A tip; add some mosquito repellent into the bucket before you mop the room, to keep mosquitoes away. The Babyhug Mosquito Repellent Spray makes this process super-convenient as you can easily mix the product into the water. This will kill any mosquitoes around the house, especially in the evening.
6. Masks and Sanitisers
A mask and sanitiser are a must during this time, as germs are more likely to spread in the rainy season. Many brands have masks that are best suited for a baby’s small face and allow for breathability as well. Most sanitisers have a high alcohol content, which is dangerous for babies. Instead, opt for a baby-safe sanitiser that your little one can remain safely protected with. You can switch to baby sanitisers for the entire family as well if they are constantly around your little one. These are effective and keep babies protected during these harsh times.
7. Mosquito Nets
Ask experienced parents, and they’ll keep mosquito nets at the top of their rainy season essentials for babies. Mosquito nets are a great and carefree way of protecting your cutie o[ie from pesky mosquitos during the rainy season. What’s more, mosquito nets come in different varieties so as to provide cover on their stroller as well as on the crib. they are easy to install and portable.
8. Diaper Rash Cream
Moisture in diaper rashes is a menace, and during monsoon, moisture is everywhere. Imagine the condition of diaper rashes during rainy months. This is why you need to protect your kiddo from diaper rashes with a reliable diaper rash cream. A diaper rash cream is one of the top must-have baby products for the rainy season. These ointments come in handy in treating inflamed skin and red splotches that appear around the genital area, thighs, and the bottom (2).
9. Handwash
Rainy season brings in plenty of germs and viruses in the house that can affect anyone from an adult to a baby. Therefore, it is essential to wash your hands thoroughly before touching your baby after coming from outside.
FAQs
1. What type of clothes should you buy for monsoon?
Choose loose-fitting clothes to prevent mosquito bites. Also, the clothes should be light-coloured and devoid of any floral prints to avoid mosquito attraction.
2. What other accessories should you buy for your baby?
Reusable cotton wipes or hand towels for cleaning monsoon sticky moisture, a baby thermometer, a medicine box, a foldable and portable mosquito net, mosquito repellant, etc., are ideal for monsoon preparation when babies are at home.
Whether you’re a fan of the rainy season or not, your baby is bound to love watching the droplets of rain outside your window. Even though this season does bring some dangers with it, a little preparation will keep your baby safe and happy!
References/Resources:
1. Mosquito bites; Mayo Clinic; https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mosquito-bites/symptoms-causes/syc-20375310
2. Diaper rash; Mayo Clinic; https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diaper-rash/symptoms-causes/syc-20371636
Also Read:
Monsoon Skin & Hair Care Tips for Kids
How to Take Care of Baby in Rainy Season
Common Types of Monsoon Diseases in Babies and Kids