A Complete Guide to Preventing Heatstroke in Young Children This Summer
As summer arrives, preventing heatstroke and staying cool becomes a topic of concern. Young children have weaker immune systems and love outdoor activities, so a heatstroke can cause significant anxiety for parents. We have summarized the following preventive measures for child heatstroke prevention...
The causes of heatstroke in young children can be broadly divided into three points:
First, excessive insulation, especially during the newborn period (from birth to 28 days). Parents, fearing their child will catch a cold, may overdress them, leading to a reduction in body fluids, loss of salt components, cell dehydration, and an increased risk of heatstroke.
Second, insufficient water intake for children in hot environments.
Third, excessive physical activity for children in hot weather.
Causes of Heatstroke:
In response to the causes of heatstroke, doctors have proposed three methods to prevent it in young children:
First, parents should adjust their child's clothing reasonably according to changes in the temperature and environment.
Even new mothers know that babies should be dressed more lightly and bathed when it's hot, but babies often still develop heat rashes or even become dehydrated, indicating that the "degree" of insulation is not appropriate. Mothers should pay attention to the following points:
Don't always think that the baby is too young and has a weak immune system, and be "reluctant" to dress them too lightly for fear of catching a cold. In fact, on hot days, a child should wear what an adult wears. As long as the baby's hands and feet don't feel cool, it indicates that the clothing is appropriate.
A baby's abdomen is relatively thin and therefore susceptible to cold, which can cause diarrhea. It's best for mothers to put a small belly wrap on the baby's chest and abdomen, especially when sleeping.
Although the baby should be dressed lightly, the soles of their feet must be kept warm. This is because a baby's soles are different from an adult's and are very sensitive to temperature. If they catch a cold, it can reflexively cause spasms in the respiratory tract, triggering a cold, or even bronchitis.
The baby's clothes, sheets, and pillowcases should be washed and changed frequently. They should be changed as soon as they are soiled with sweat.
When it's hot and sweaty, the baby should be bathed at least 4-6 times a day. Bathing only in the morning and evening may not be enough. Because if excessive sweat is not cleaned off in time, heat rashes will appear on the skin no matter how little the baby wears.
Expert advice: Clothing should be loose, soft, and made of thin, pure cotton yarn. This can protect the baby's skin from irritation and allergies, and the sweat can be easily absorbed, making the baby feel cool. Never use synthetic fiber items that can easily irritate the baby's skin.
Second, when children are active, encourage them to drink more water, and they can drink a small amount of light salt water.
How much water should a baby drink in a day
Water intake is closely related to the baby's age and diet. For babies under 4 months who are breastfed, if the mother drinks plenty of water, drinks soup after meals, and eats an appropriate amount of fresh vegetables and fruits, the breast milk will be sufficiently hydrating. If the baby doesn't sweat much, there's no need for extra water. Of course, specific situations require specific analysis. Every mother and baby is unique. If the baby sweats a lot, the home is very stuffy with poor ventilation, or the mother herself doesn't drink much water, it's necessary to consider giving the baby some water.
The renal load of formula milk is about 3 times that of breast milk, so babies need more water to excrete waste. For babies under 4 months who are fed formula, in addition to feeding, mothers need to give the baby 30-50 ml of warm water between feedings. A baby needs 150 ml of water per kilogram of body weight per day.
How do you know when a baby is thirsty? Every attentive mother knows roughly how often her baby needs to be fed. If between feedings, the baby pouts and looks for food, cries, is fussy, has difficulty sleeping, has little urine (a breastfed baby should have at least 6-7 wet diapers a day), and has dark yellow urine, there's a good chance the baby is thirsty, and the mother should give the baby water immediately.
For babies who have already started solid foods, the protein and fiber in the food require extra water for digestion, so mothers must not forget that the baby needs more water.
For children over 1 year old, mothers should help them develop the good habit of drinking water at any time. After the age of 1, children are generally very playful and forget everything when they are having fun. They don't think about drinking water until they are extremely thirsty and then drink a large amount at once, which is very harmful to their bodies. By the time they feel thirsty, their body's cells are often already dehydrated. Even mild dehydration can have adverse effects on a child's health. Every caring parent needs to have a suitable and tasty drink ready for their child at all times and remind them to drink water. In hot summers and dry seasons, parents should let their child drink a little water every 20-30 minutes. Gradually help the child develop good habits like drinking water before bed, after waking up, during play, and half an hour before meals.
If the baby doesn't like to drink water, parents don't need to worry too much. The source of water in a baby's body comes from many aspects. In addition to drinking water directly, in the summer, you can make more mung bean soup to cool down and let the child drink it at any time after it has cooled naturally. Fresh vegetables and fruits also contain a lot of water. High-water-content vegetables and fruits (such as watermelon, cucumber, tomatoes, etc.) are 95% water, so you can let the child eat more of these water-rich vegetables and fruits.
Some parents worry that drinking too much water will cause water intoxication. In fact, this possibility is very small. Every child has a self-regulation mechanism, and even newborns are no exception. A baby will drink when thirsty and will naturally stop when they have had enough.
Young parents put a lot of thought into their baby's three meals a day, but they don't pay much attention to what they drink. In the summer, a wide variety of beverages attract a child's attention, and some children drink beverages happily but don't like to eat. Child health experts believe that drinking beverages without restraint is harmful to a child's health, and parents need to control their child's drinking habits and spend some time helping them adjust.
Beverages cannot replace water
Some parents know that carbonated drinks are not good for children, so they never let their babies drink them. But some parents think it's no big deal and let them drink if they want. This is actually wrong. Indulging a child's taste can lead to cavities and malnutrition.
Experts point out: First, a child's stomach capacity is limited. Drinking too many beverages, especially sweet drinks before meals, will inevitably affect the child's appetite and food intake, affecting the comprehensive intake of required nutrients. Over time, this can lead to nutritional imbalance or malnutrition, affecting the child's growth and development. Second, drinking too many beverages will increase the burden on the gastrointestinal tract, causing digestive disorders and leading to digestive system diseases. In addition, some dyes and preservatives in certain beverages can also damage the developing brain of children. Some foreign studies have pointed out that excessive dyes and preservatives may be a cause of ADHD in children. Therefore, parents should consciously control their child's beverage consumption and never use beverages as a substitute for water.
Plain water is best, but there's a right way to drink it
Experts believe that children should drink plain water. Because pure water is a dissolving medium for various nutrients, which is conducive to the absorption of various nutrients by children. Children are in a stage of growth and development, with a high metabolism and a large demand for water. After ensuring that the child drinks enough milk, parents must also ensure that the child drinks enough water.
But experts remind parents: First, don't give children too much ice water, because drinking a lot of ice water can easily cause contraction of the gastric mucosal blood vessels, which not only affects the child's digestion but may even cause intestinal cramps. Second, don't give children water before meals, as it can dilute gastric juice, which is not conducive to food digestion and also affects appetite. In addition, younger children cannot completely control urination during deep sleep at night. If they drink too much water before bed, they are prone to bedwetting, and even if they don't wet the bed, it will affect their sleep quality.
Milk and yogurt are nutritious but can easily cause "heatiness"
Milk is rich in calcium, vitamin C, various B vitamins, and other nutrients necessary for a child's growth, making it the first choice for many parents. The nutritional value of yogurt is similar to that of pure milk. If the child likes this taste, you can let them drink some yogurt, which contains many beneficial bacteria necessary for a child's growth.
Experts remind that in the summer, drinking too much milk can easily cause "heatiness," and children cannot completely absorb its nutrients.
Soy milk for calcium supplementation also has taboos
If a baby is allergic to milk or doesn't like dairy products, then calcium-fortified soy milk is a good alternative. Every 250 grams of calcium-fortified soy milk contains 200 to 400 mg of calcium, while milk contains about 300 mg of calcium. However, children should not drink too much soy milk to avoid excessive protein indigestion, which can cause discomfort such as bloating and diarrhea. Experts recommend not drinking soy milk on an empty stomach. Because when consumed on an empty stomach, the protein in soy milk is easily converted into energy and consumed in the body, failing to play a calcium-supplementing role. It is not advisable to add egg white, as the mucin protein in eggs can easily combine with trypsin in soy milk, causing it to lose its nutritional value. It is not advisable to add brown sugar, because the organic acids in brown sugar can combine with the protein in soy milk to form denatured precipitates, which not only makes the soy milk lose its nutritional value but is also harmful to the body. Although white sugar will not form precipitates, it must be added after the soy milk is cooked and removed from the heat.
Drink juice in moderation, and don't drink coffee-based beverages
Juice is rich in vitamins, but it's important to note that juice has a high sugar content, which can easily lead to cavities and even diabetes in children. Therefore, when giving children juice, control the amount; it should not exceed 150 ml per day. It's also best to choose pure juice.
Nutrition experts believe that many parents think juice is nutritious and convenient, making it more suitable for children, so they use juice to replace fruits and vegetables. However, compared to fruits and vegetables, the biggest disadvantage of juice drinks is the serious lack of dietary fiber, hemicellulose, lignin, and other complex carbohydrates. Dietary fiber is a necessary nutrient for the human body, with health benefits such as preventing and reducing diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, and preventing diseases of the digestive system. Therefore, it is healthier to eat more fruits and drink fewer juice beverages.
Try not to give children drinks containing caffeine, because a large number of studies have found that caffeine can cause some harm to children, such as causing restlessness, decreased appetite, insomnia, reduced memory, and affecting the absorption of vitamin B1 in the body, leading to vitamin B1 deficiency.
Third, avoid taking children to outdoor activities in high temperatures:
Some parents mistakenly believe that their child is deficient in a certain element and take them out in the sun at temperatures of 35-36 degrees Celsius, which is not advisable.
Summer outing essentials
Sunscreen: It's best to carry sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher.
Hat: A hat with a wide brim that can be pulled down to cover the child's ears and neck is best.
Sandals or slippers
Talcum powder: Intended to protect the skin, but do not apply too much powder to the child to prevent inhalation, which can affect their respiratory system.
Insulated flask or thermos: (Note: "insulated" here means keeping it cool) Used for storing food and drinks, as food and drinks can easily spoil in high temperatures.
Plenty of water: Children need to drink a lot of water to replenish the fluids lost by their bodies in high temperatures.
Sunglasses: Children should be equipped with children's specific sunglasses.
Small towel or tissues: Used for wiping sweat or temporary sun protection.
If a young child has a heatstroke, they may exhibit the following symptoms: irritability, profuse sweating, convulsions, coma, or even shock. In this situation, parents should move the child away from the heat, have them drink more water, and drink a small amount of light salt water. If the child shows symptoms of convulsions or coma, they should be taken to the hospital promptly and should not be handled by oneself.
Quick Tip: Six types of heatstroke prevention medicines to have at home
Huo Xiang Zheng Qi Qi Wan—Can dispel heat and summer heat, detoxify and expel filth. It is mainly used for heatstroke, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and dysentery. It comes in capsules and oral solutions. Take twice a day, with half the dose for children.
Ren Dan—Contains menthol, cinnamon, borneol, amomum, pickled ginger, and artificial musk. It has the effects of opening the orifices to calm the mind, clearing heat and dispelling summer heat, and detoxifying and expelling filth. It is mainly used for dizziness, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea caused by summer heat. For adults, take 5-10 pills orally at a time; for children, reduce the amount appropriately. Do not take Ren Dan for nausea caused by a cold.
Qing Liang You—For headaches and dizziness, apply a small amount to the Yintang acupoint (between the eyebrows) and Taiyang acupoints (temples) to refresh the mind and give a cool, comfortable feeling. For insect bites, skin itching, or minor burns, apply a small amount to the affected area to promote blood circulation, reduce swelling, and relieve pain. Note that when applying externally, keep it away from the eyes. If it gets into the eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water.
Shi Di Shui—Suitable for summer heatstroke, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal bloating, and diarrhea. For adults, take 10-20 drops of Shi Di Shui into a glass of plain water, stir well, and drink. For those who feel hot and bothered from working or traveling in the sun, Shi Di Shui can be taken orally to relieve heat and summer heat. For children, pour 1-2 bottles into bath water to prevent and treat heat rashes.
Feng You Jing—Can clear summer heat and detoxify, promote urination to remove dampness and relieve vexation, and relieve pain and expel wind. It can treat dizziness and headache caused by heatstroke, and abdominal pain caused by enjoying the cool on summer nights. For dizziness and headache, apply a small amount externally to the forehead and both temples.
Li Liu San—Mainly used for summer heatstroke, fever and irritability, thirst, and scanty or burning yellow urine. Take 6-9 grams each time, soak in water and drink as tea. When purchasing, note that this medicine is in powder form, not capsules.