The precautions for babies during high temperatures.
Heat wave: what are the precautions for feeding babies during high temperatures?
According to maternal and child nutritionist Franciele Loss, it is necessary to take extra care with food and pay attention to signs of dehydration
Brazil is facing severe heat waves with several cities reaching record temperatures. And, according to scientists, extreme heat will persist in the Southeast and Midwest regions during the month of December. If phenomena like this are unbearable for adults, it can be even worse for babies. In hospitals in São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Paraná and Espírito Santos, for example, the phenomenon caused an increase of up to 40% in child care. With this in mind, maternal and child nutritionist Franciele Loss has put together some tips to help parents ensure that babies are really hydrated and receiving adequate food to maintain their health and comfort.
Breast-feeding
Franciele reinforces the importance of breastfeeding during this period and advises mothers to maintain free demand, without time restrictions. According to the expert, another interesting option is to prepare breast milk, which is breast milk frozen in popsicle molds. It can be offered even before food introduction.
Babies during Food Introduction
If your baby is already introducing solid foods, offer light, cold options, such as fresh fruit, for example, watermelon and melon. “Foods such as natural yogurt, frozen fruit purees, or slightly chilled foods can be more attractive and refreshing for babies”, explains the expert.
As for the target amount of water that should be ingested daily by them, Franciele clarifies: “Don’t be so attached to liquids alone, as your baby may not accept it so many times a day. This doesn’t mean you should stop offering it, but remember that they also get water from other foods and from breast milk or formula.”
Another tip given by the nutritionist is to present different glasses, as this piques the child’s curiosity and can contribute to better acceptance of water.
Avoid heavy foods
Avoid heavy, slow-to-digest foods and hot foods during periods of intense heat. “Opt for lighter and fresher meals, such as vegetables and legumes, white meats, such as fish and chicken, and fruits, such as watermelon, oranges and melon.” Franciele also points out that during hot weather, babies may have less appetite, but it is essential to ensure that they are receiving adequate nutrients.
Pay attention to signs of dehydration
Finally, the nutritionist draws attention to some details that could represent dehydration. “Pay attention to signs of dehydration, such as dry lips, sunken eyes, dark, strong-smelling or less frequent urine and crying without tears. If you notice any of these, contact your pediatrician immediately,” she points out.
Franciele advises you to always consult a specialized nutritionist or pediatrician for specific guidance on your baby’s nutrition, taking into account individual health and development conditions.
About Franciele Loss
Franciele Loss is a nutritionist at the head of @bebedenutri, with more than 750 thousand followers on Instagram. Graduated from the Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Loss has been a specialist in Maternal and Child Nutrition for 8 years. Mother of three young children, one aged 7, one aged 4 and a baby aged 1 and a half, Franciele is the author of five books on food introduction and recipes, which together have sold more than 100 thousand copies. In addition, the nutritionist teaches courses on food introduction, breastfeeding, sleep and weaning online, where she has educated more than 50,000 families.
The precautions for babies during high temperatures.