Protecting your baby from mosquitoes is a vital step in ensuring the health and wellbeing of your precious little one. Mosquitoes transmit several dangerous illnesses such as malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever and Zika virus, so it’s important to take appropriate measures to protect your baby. In this article, you’ll find advice on the best ways to protect your baby from insects, as well as general tips on how to keep mosquitoes out of the home.
1. What You Can Do to Protect Your Baby From Mosquitoes
Use insect repellent
A good quality insect repellent can be applied to your baby’s body and clothing as often as needed. Use products that have active ingredients such as DEET, Picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus and IR3535. Repellents should only be applied to babies older than 2 months.
Dress the baby in protective clothing
When outside, dress your baby in long sleeves and socks so that there is less skin exposed. Light-colored clothing works well as it makes it more difficult for mosquitoes to spot the baby than darker shades.
Stay away from standing water
Mosquitoes breed in still standing water, so try to avoid walking past ponds, lakes, and other bodies of stagnant water.
2. Keeping Mosquitoes Out of the Home
Screen windows and doors
Making sure all your windows and doors have appropriate screens is an important step to keeping mosquitoes out. Make sure the screens are in good condition with no holes or tears.
Install a mosquito repellent system
Some homes have a special mosquito repellent system that helps keep mosquitoes away. This system may be more effective than using insect repellents alone.
Change water frequently
Mosquitoes can also breed in bird baths, potted plants, and water features. Change the water in these items at least once a week to limit mosquito breeding.
People Also Ask
Q 1. What age can babies wear insect repellent?
Repellents should only be applied to babies older than 2 months. Be sure to follow the instructions on the product label.
Q 2. Are natural mosquito repellents safe for babies?
Products made with natural ingredients such as citronella, lemon eucalyptus and rosemary are considered safe. However, they may not provide the same degree of protection as product containing DEET or Picaridin.
Q 3. How often should insect repellent be applied?
Apply the insect repellent to your baby’s skin and clothing as often as needed. For maximum protection, reapply every few hours.
Q 4. What other measures can I take to keep mosquitoes away from my baby?
Dress your baby in long sleeves and trousers when outside. Additionally, screen windows and doors, install mosquito repellent systems, and change standing water regularly.
Q 5. What should I do if my baby shows signs of having been bitten?
If your baby shows signs of having been bitten, look for signs of infection. This can include redness, swelling, fever and rapid breathing. If your baby has any of these symptoms, take them to the doctor immediately.
Conclusion
It’s important to incoporate a variety of measures in order to protect your baby from mosquitoes. From using insect repellent and dressing your baby in protective clothing, to taking steps to keep mosquitoes out of the home, these simple steps can help ensure your baby’s safety. With some effort and vigilance, we can all keep our littlest ones safe.