Are Air Cooler or Air Conditioner (AC) Safe for Babies?

You make all efforts to keep your baby comfortable and thus you may wonder whether you can safely use the air conditioner for your baby, especially if you live in a warm area and your little one is unable to sleep in a hot and humid environment. The good news is that you can use an AC or a cooler in your baby’s room as a properly cooled and ventilated room will help your little one sleep through the night and prevent the risk of SIDS. That said, you need to take a few precautions while using an AC or a cooler in your baby’s room. This article will give you some tips on how to keep your baby safe when using an air cooler or AC in his room.

Is an Air Conditioner or Air Cooler Safe for Babies?

Yes, using the air conditioner just the right amount can help prevent babies from getting too hot and reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and dehydration (1). But, it’s important to be careful to maintain the right AC temperature for newborns, especially because babies can’t regulate their body temperature as well as adults.

In hot weather, it’s important to keep the room comfy for your baby. Here are some good things about using the air conditioner:

• It helps keep the room at a good temperature, which according to Cleveland Clinic should be around 65°F to 70°F (18°C to 21°C) for babies, no matter the season (2).
• It helps prevent the baby from getting dehydrated.
• It makes the room nice and cozy for your little one to sleep well.

Tips to Keep Your Baby Comfortable and Safe While Using a Cooler or an AC

A cosy and comfortable sleep is of utmost importance for a baby. Many doctors may recommend using air conditioners or air coolers in a baby’s room. But sleeping in a room that is too cold can lower the baby’s body temperature. Therefore, caution needs to be exercised when using an AC or a cooler for the baby. You must know how to use them for your baby. So follow these tips to keep your baby comfortably while using a cooler or AC:

1. Monitor the Temperature

Monitor the temperature of the air cooler and the outside temperature to ensure that it doesn’t get uncomfortable for your baby. Keep the temperature at a comfortable setting so that it doesn’t get too hot or too cold for your baby. Any kind of extreme temperatures may prove to be bad for your baby’s health.

2. Keep Your Baby Away From the Direct Blast of Cold Air

Whether you use an AC or a cooler, ensure that your baby does not come in direct contact with the air from the AC or the cooler as it can affect his health.

3. Use a Light Blanket or Sheet

You should cover your baby with a light blanket or a sheet when using AC or cooler. Keep in mind that your baby only requires one extra layer and thus do not use heavy blankets or sheets.

4. Avoid Dryness

The use of air conditioners may cause dryness in the room; therefore, it will be a good idea to keep a bowl of water in the room. You may also apply some oil around your baby’s nose to avoid any kind of dry nasal passage or nosebleeds.

5. Leave a Window Open When Using a Cooler

If you are using an air cooler in your baby’s room, leave at least one window open so that there’s a circulation of fresh air in his room and it doesn’t get humid.

6. Dress Your Baby Comfortably

Temperatures usually drop at night, so you should dress up your baby in full-length clothes (3).

7. Take Care of the Temperature Difference

If your baby is in an air-conditioned environment for long, taking him out at an extreme temperature may be harmful to your baby. You should switch off the AC and let the temperature become normal before you expose your baby to any kind of temperature change.

8. Keep Checking Your Baby

Keep checking your baby’s head, chest, hands and feet to ensure that he is cosy and comfortable.

9. Get the AC or Cooler Serviced Frequently

When you are using an AC or a cooler for your baby, you should make sure that it is cleaned and serviced on a regular basis. This not only ensures clean air for your baby to breathe but the equipment also works effectively.

10. Use a Fan Wisely

If using a ceiling or oscillating fan in conjunction with the cooler or AC, ensure it’s not directly blowing on the baby, as it may cause discomfort or dryness.

11. Install Childproof Covers

If possible, install childproof covers or guards on the air conditioning unit or cooler to prevent curious fingers from accessing any moving parts or electrical components.

12. Avoid Overcooling

Resist the temptation to set the air conditioner or cooler at excessively low temperatures, as this can lead to discomfort, respiratory issues, or even hypothermia for your baby.

13. Create a Calm Environment

Keep noise levels low in the baby’s room to ensure a peaceful and restful sleep environment, especially if using a noisy cooler or AC unit.

14. Monitor Air Quality

Regularly check the air quality in the baby’s room, especially if using an air conditioner, to ensure it’s free from pollutants, allergens, and any potential irritants.

15. Use a Timer

Consider using a timer on your air conditioner or cooler to regulate usage, ensuring it’s not running unnecessarily and helping maintain a consistent temperature throughout the day and night.

16. Adjust Settings as Needed

Be observant of your baby’s cues and adjust the settings of the cooler or AC accordingly. If your baby seems too warm or too cold, make appropriate adjustments to ensure their comfort.

Can Using Too Much Air Conditioner/Cooler Affect Your Baby?

There’s no harm in using an AC or a cooler in your baby’s room, but, you should refrain from using both these cooling equipment for a long time at a stretch. This is because exposing your baby to colder temperatures may put him at risk of having a lower body temperature, which may be harmful to his health.

Which Is Better for Babies – an AC or a Cooler?

Both coolers and ACs for newborns have their own advantages and disadvantages. Using an air conditioner can help you regulate and maintain the temperature in your baby’s room. You may use air conditioners during the monsoons, whereas you may not be able to use coolers during these months. Furthermore, the new-age air conditioners provide for clean air for your baby, whereas that may not be the case with air coolers. Air conditioners may also help remove humidity.

Where coolers are concerned, they can cool the baby’s room and not chill it as an AC would. Coolers are cheaper than air conditioners, energy-saving, and cost-effective.

If you’re having trouble deciding what to choose, you should consider the above points and your budget to make an informed decision.

Alternative Methods to Keep Your Infant Cool

If you are against the idea of using artificial means to provide cooling to your baby or you may be in a situation where you may not be able to use ACs or coolers, some of the following methods may help:

• You can use dehumidifiers and fans.
• You can use curtains that block the heat and help in keeping the room cold.
• You can make your baby wear light cotton clothes (4).
• Ensure your baby stays hydrated by offering breast milk, formula, or water frequently, especially in hot weather, to prevent dehydration and regulate body temperature.

FAQs

1. How can I ensure my baby stays safe while using an air cooler or AC?

Monitor the room temperature, avoid direct airflow onto your baby, maintain proper ventilation, and keep the equipment clean and well-maintained. Additionally, dress your baby appropriately for the room temperature.

2. Are there any risks associated with using air coolers or ACs for infants?

Risks primarily arise from improper use or maintenance, such as overcooling the room, exposure to dry air, or accumulation of dust and allergens in the equipment. Ensuring proper usage and maintenance mitigates these risks.

3. Can I use air coolers or ACs all night in my baby’s room?

It’s generally safe to use air coolers or ACs for infants overnight, but be mindful of the room temperature and your baby’s comfort. Set the temperature to a comfortable level and consider using features like timers or thermostat settings to regulate usage throughout the night.

This was all about ACs and air coolers for infants. Using an air conditioner or a cooler is a personal choice, however, it is important that if you plan to use either, you take all the precautionary measures and keep your baby safe and comfortable.

References/Resources:

1. Jhun. I, Mata. D, Nordio. F, Lee. M, et. al.; Ambient Temperature and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome in the United States (Epidemiology); National Library of Medicine; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5552234/; September 2018

2. What’s the Best Temperature for Sleep?; Cleveland Clinic; https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-is-the-ideal-sleeping-temperature-for-my-bedroom/

3. Babies in cold weather; Pregnancy, Birth & Baby; https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/babies-in-cold-weather

4. Babies in hot weather; Pregnancy, Birth & Baby; https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/babies-hot-in-weather

5. How to Keep Your Sleeping Baby Safe: AAP Policy Explained; American Academy of Pediatrics; https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/sleep/Pages/a-parents-guide-to-safe-sleep.aspx

6. Cold Weather Safety for Children: Preventing Frostbite & Hypothermia; American Academy of Pediatrics; https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-play/Pages/Cold-Weather-Safety.aspx

7. Dehydration; NHS; https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dehydration/

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Can Fan in a Baby’s Room Lower SIDS Risk?
What Are the Symptoms of Winter Infections in Infants?