Most doctors agree that is much safer for newborn babies and young infants to sleep in a climate controlled environment. This is especially important in places like Queensland where during summer months temperatures can be oppressive, and getting a good restful night’s sleep can be difficult.
Speaking of a good nights sleep, the right climate that assists with a good sleep for infants is also in the interests of parents. After all, a good sleep for them will translate into a good sleep for you! The air conditioning installation experts here at H&H Air Conditioning explain how to best use an air conditioner in a nursery environment, and share some other tips to create the best indoor sleeping environment for babies and infants.
Why is air conditioning in a nursery beneficial?
Young infants can be particularly prone to overheating since they can’t adjust their body temperature in the same way that adults can. This reduced heat regulation makes them more susceptible to heat rash, heat exhaustion and even heat stroke. Some paediatricians have agreed that an air conditioned bedroom can reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Sydrome)
Ideal Temperature and Positioning of AC Unit
It’s important that the temperature is not too cold for young infants but heating is rarely necessary for young babies. Often parents worry that their baby might be too cold, instead of the opposite being true. With that being said, it’s important to have a temperature set between 16-20 degrees. The ideal is 18 degrees, and while this is cooler than most parents would think is the optimum temperature.
It’s also important that the air conditioning unit is positioned in a way that is does not blow directly on the cot, ideally positioning split system to the left or right on the cot instead of facing on the opposite wall.
Tips from Paediatricians
– Dress you baby in lightweight cotton clothing and tuck a blanket below the elbows to avoid covering the face.
– Keep skin moisturised in the air conditioning seems to be drying the skin
– Avoid taking a child from an air conditioning room outside or to another area where there is sudden change in temperature. Open the window or turn of the AC to let your infant slowly adjust to the ambient temperature.
For more advice about air conditioning for bedroom and a nursery environment, call the residential air conditioning experts at H&H Air Conditioning today on (07) 3276 1800 for our Acacia Ridge head office or (07) 5477 1777 for our Sunshine Coast branch.
That said, keeping the temperature between 68 and 72 degrees F is a good range in the summer and winter. When the room is too hot, research has shown that it can increase your baby's risk of SIDS; when it's too cold, baby can easily become uncomfortably chilly and wake up unnecessarily.
Ideal Sleeping Temperature for Infants – Does my nursery need AC? Pediatricians consider the ideal sleeping temperature for newborn babies at around 18 degrees – cooler than many expect. Most doctors agree that is much safer for newborn babies and young infants to sleep in a climate controlled environment.
Keeping your baby's room cool, but comfortable is one way to maintain a safe sleep environment. In fact, it's recommended that babies sleep in a temperature between 68° and 72°F (20° to 22.2°C).
The most common question every new parent has in their mind is, “Is the usage of AC or a Cooler safe for my baby? Well, the answer is YES. A properly ventilated room can help prevent the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) since the humid temperature is not good for a newborn.
However, being too cold — especially for prolonged periods of time — will make it much harder for your baby to sleep, sap their energy and leave them more vulnerable to catching a cold or other illnesses. Babies are incredibly sensitive to temperatures and also find it difficult to regulate their body heat.
You don't want your baby's room to be either too hot or too cold. It's recommended that the best temperature for babies is between 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit or 20 to 22 degrees Celsius.
Aim to keep the room at a steady, comfortable temperature. For babies, a range of 18°C to 22°C is typically recommended. Avoid setting the AC too cold, as extreme temperature differences between indoors and outdoors can be harmful.
The best AC temp for sleeping varies depending on the individual, but most experts agree on a range between 60-67 degrees Fahrenheit (15-19 degrees Celsius). This is because your body temperature naturally declines as you sleep — so a cooler room could help facilitate this drop and encourage better sleep.
Natural Air Flow: Unlike air conditioners that alter room air by removing moisture and potentially introducing allergens, fans maintain natural air moisture levels, promoting a healthier breathing environment.
If your baby is sleeping in air conditioning or AC, you should dress them in one extra layer than you are wearing. For example, if you're wearing pajamas, you could put them in pajamas plus a swaddle or light weight sleep sack. If your baby is sleeping in air condition, be aware of where the air vent is blowing.
The results found that running a fan in a sleeping infant's room lowered the risk for SIDS by 72 percent. That risk was lowered even further when the infant's sleeping conditions put him or her at higher risk for SIDS, such as sleeping in a warm room or sleeping on the stomach.
No, air conditioning is not bad for babies, but it should be used with suitable precautions. However, an AC is a riskier device than an air cooler because: An air cooler doesn't provoke a drastic temperature drop. An air cooler humidifies the air and doesn't deplete the moisture from the baby's skin.
ASHRAE suggests an optimal comfort temperature between 23.5°C (74.3°F) and 25.5°C (78°F) during summers. Setting the thermostat to 24°C (75.2°F) balances comfort and energy efficiency. Using ceiling fans in conjunction with ACs further enhances comfort while conserving energy.
The Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star program, which promotes energy efficiency, recommends setting air conditioners to 78 degrees for peak comfort and energy efficiency when you wake up. But not a lot of people follow that recommendation.
Improper use of air conditioners can easily dry out the respiratory tract, leading to difficulty breathing, fever and diarrhea,... in young children, especially infants.
You don't want your baby's room to be either too hot or too cold. It's recommended that the best temperature for babies is between 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit or 20 to 22 degrees Celsius. Babies are more sensitive to changes in room temperature because they're so small and their bodies are still growing.
Introduction: My name is Pres. Carey Rath, I am a faithful, funny, vast, joyous, lively, brave, glamorous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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