Safe and Comfortable Temperatures and Clothing for Infants

1. Safe andComfortableTemperaturesand Clothingfor Infants

2. Hypothermia What is hypothermia? • Hypothermia occurs when the body gets cold and loses heat faster than the body can make it.

3. What can happen from hypothermia? • Emergency condition. • Can quickly lead to unconsciousness and deathif heat loss continues. Hypothermia

4. Hypothermia What are some symptoms of hypothermia? Adults: • Shivering violently. • Stumbling, confusion. • If treatment is not provided, shivering stopsand the body begins to shut down. • Weak pulse, shallow breathing. Infants: • Bright red, cold skin. • Listlessness.

5. Hypothermia Why are infants at greater risk? • They have a larger body surface area to massratio than adults, allowing greater heat loss. • They cannot produce as much heat as adultsthrough muscle activity. • They can’t make enough body heat by shivering.

6. Hypothermia Precautions: • Keep rooms at a comfortably warmtemperature in winter months. • Keep infant in warm clothes during winter. • Dress infant appropriately if you must go outside –avoid being outside in extreme cold or heat. • Never leave an infant in an unattended vehicle.

7. Hyperthermia What is hyperthermia? • Hyperthermia occurs when a person‘sbody temperature produces or absorbsmore heat than it can dissipate. Bodytemperature rises and remains abovethe normal 98.6°F.

8. Hyperthermia What can happen from hyperthermia? • Emergency condition. • Heat-regulating mechanisms of the bodyeventually become overwhelmed and unableto effectively deal with the heat, causing the body temperature to climb uncontrollably (heat stroke). • Can lead to disability and death if heat continues. • Can be confused with fever due to illness. If infantis exposed to high temperatures and becomesoverheated, he/she may develop hyperthermia.

9. Hyperthermia What are some symptoms ofinfant hyperthermia? • Dry mouth or tongue • Few tears when crying • Few wet diapers (less than 6 a day) • Dark yellow or smelly urine • Sunken “soft spots,” eyes, or cheeks • Mottled, grayish, skin that’s cool to the touch • High fever • Listlessness

10. Hyperthermia Why are infants at greater risk? • They are unable to tell someone they’rehot/thirsty. • Their temperature-regulating systemsaren’t fully developed. • They have fewer sweat glands than adults, sonot as efficient as adults in keeping cool.

11. Hyperthermia Precautions: • Keep rooms at a comfortably cooltemperature during the summer. • Dress infants in cool clothing in hotsummer months. Use wide-brimmed hatsin light colors if you take infant outside. • Use sunscreen/sunblock on infant if outside.Avoid outdoors in extreme heat. • Keep the infant hydrated during heat waves. • Never leave infant in an unattended car.

12. Danger in theUnattended Vehicle • Prior to 1990-1992: 11 known deathsof children from hyperthermia (extremeheat) in a vehicle. • 1998-2011 close to 500 children died from being inside hot cars. 75% of them were less than 2 years old.

13. HyperthermiaStats by Year

14. HyperthermiaStats by State

15. Why the Increase? • Airbags became standard in mostcars by 1998, requiring infants andchildren to now sit in back seat. • More than half of the deaths thatoccurred were due to the fact that thecaregiver forgot the infant/child was back there. • NOTE: This does not imply that we should nothave airbags or that children should sit in the front seat.

16. HyperthermiaCircumstances An examination of media reports about the494 child vehicular hyperthermia deaths for athirteen year period (1998 through 2010) showsthe following circumstances: • 51% - child "forgotten" by caregiver (253) • 30% - child playing in unattended vehicle (150) • 17% - child intentionally left in vehicle by adult  (86) • 1% - circumstances unknown (5)

17. LegalImplications • Although all states have laws againstendangering the welfare of a child, only15 states presently have laws prohibitingleaving a child unattended in a car. • Considered abuse/neglect and couldresult in criminal charges.

18. VehicleHeating Dynamics Used with permission from : Department of Geosciences, San Francisco State University

19. Prevention • NEVER leave an infant/child in acar – even for a minute! • Place your purse/ briefcase/jacket inthe backseat with the infant. • Place a teddy bear in the front seat in avisible location to remind you that theinfant is in the back seat.

20. GoodEnvironmentalTemperatures • Home temperature – winter: 68°-72° F. • Home temperature – summer: 75°-78° F. • Don’t over bundle infant. • Dress infant in one extra layer than yourself. • Lightly clothed for sleep – so keep bedroom at comfortable temperature for light clothing.

21. ClothingFactors to Consider • Security and protection – infantsneed to be clothed. • Comfort is most important. • Use size-appropriate clothing. • Soft, lightweight fabrics for moderate temperatures. • Knit fabrics = easy care. • All cotton and cotton blends = “breathability.”

22. Other ClothingFactors to Consider • Check for ease of changing and safety. • Check care labels = hot water/dryereliminates bacteria. • Check labels for “flame resistant.” • Consider clothing colors: • Dark = absorb heat and keep infant warmer • Light = reflect heat to keep infant cooler

23. Safetyand Clothing • Too many clothes/overbundling: • Potential over heating • Potential heat rash • Loose clothing: • Potential suffocation from infant getting wrapped up in it • Potential for catching on fire • Snug fit – not tight. • No drawstrings. • Lightweight clothing and full coverage when outdoors for sun protection. Sunscreen for exposed skin.

24. ClothingSelection • Hand me downs are fine. • Fewer clothes needed when smalldue to fast growth. • Simple and functional design.

25. Dressing anInfant and PIES • Physical Development • Appropriate clothing = health, safety, comfort, security • Exercise and later cooperating with changing • Physical stimulation • Prevent diaper rash • Intellectual Development • Talking = language development • Routines important: Sleeper → daytime clothing and back • Positive parenting and bonding = brain development • When a child is comfortable and secure withappropriate clothing, physical, intellectual,emotional and social development is stimulated.

26. Dressing anInfant and PIES– continued • Emotional • Calming aspect to feeling clean • Bonding = positive emotional development • Social • Talking /singing during the process = enhanced brain development and bonding • Regular routine for social interaction • Positive physical and verbal = good parent/child socialization • Cooperation through parenting modeling

27. Review Scenario 2: 4 year old Michelle has been playing in the family car in the driveway. Windows are rolled down. Outside temperature is 85°. Scenario 1: 20 month old Luke has bright red skin, cold to the touch. He has been riding in an unheated car for 30 minutes. Outside temperature is 35°. Scenario 3: 3 month old Jose has been left in his infant seat in the back seat of the car. Windows are rolled up. Outside temperature is 75°.