Is Using an Air Cooler or Air Conditioner (AC) Safe in Your Baby’s Room?

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 warm areas 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.

Video : Using an Air Cooler or Air Conditioner (AC) In Baby’s Room – Is It Safe? 

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 than you and thus do not use heavy blankets or sheets.

4. Avoid Dryness

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 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 it’s best that you dress up your baby in full-length clothes.

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.

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 temperature may put him at the risk of having lower body temperature, which may be harmful for his health.

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

Both ACs and coolers 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.

Whereas 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.

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.

Also Read:

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What Are the Symptoms of Winter infections in Infants?
List of Baby Skin Care Tips