My Baby Sitter Watched Me Take a Bath

No, but there are other common triggers for a cold in babies that are good to know about.

It is often believed that if a breastfeeding mother drinks or bathes in cold water, her baby can catch a cold through her cold breastmilk. But there is no evidence to support this.

The reasoning behind this myth goes back to some traditional beliefs about confinement. After childbirth, it is thought that the new mum's body goes into a cold state due to the loss of blood and other fluids. So hot baths and heat-inducing foods are recommended during confinement, in addition to rest. This is believed to help the mum recover quickly and prevent herself or her baby from getting ill or catching a cold.

The idea of taking a hot bath can be quite appealing in the winter, but not so if you've had a baby in the summer. If you feel like a refreshing cool, or lukewarm shower, there's no harm.

Your baby is more likely to get a cold if:

• She has been wet for a long time. Always dry your baby well after you bathe or wash her. Also, don't leave her in a wet nappy. Be sure to check and change it regularly. Change her clothes right away if they get wet at the chest after a feed or a vomit.
• She isn't dressed appropriately. If the weather is cold, dress her in warm clothing. Exposure to the cold can increase the risk of catching a cold. Also, make sure she stays well covered when she sleeps, especially if she has started rolling over. To prevent your baby from kicking off her covers and waking, you could put her in a baby sleeping bag, which is designed for wriggly little bodies.
• The air conditioning or cooler are set at the wrong temperature. Keep your baby's room at a comfortable temperature. Many paediatricians suggest that a temperature setting between 23 and 25 degrees C works well. You should also keep your baby away from the direct blast of the AC or cooler.
  
• Your baby is exposed to second-hand smoke. If you have smokers in the family, ask them to smoke outdoors. Keep her protected from smoke as this can cause frequent and long cold spells in a baby, among other problems.
• Your baby comes in contact with someone who has a cold or another infection. You and your baby should stay away from people who are ill. This is because your baby's immune system is still developing, and yours may be recovering after pregnancy and labour. If you have a cold, wear a mask and be careful not to sneeze or cough directly on to your baby. Wash your hands with soap before you touch or feed her. Continue to breastfeed her as your breastmilk will build her immunity and protect her from colds.

So, don't feel guilty if you feel like a good cold bath. If you follow the above precautions, you will have reduced your baby's risk of catching a cold as much as you possibly can.

Also, keep your baby's immunisation up-to-date. Vaccines help build immunity and offer your child the best chance of protection from infections. They're one of the most important part of well-baby check-ups. See our Immunisation Scheduler to know when your baby is due for her vaccines.

Reviewed by Geetika Gangwani, birth educator and lactation consultant.

Read more on:

• Home remedies for a cold
• Keeping your baby safe through weather changes
• Common questions new parents ask

My Baby Sitter Watched Me Take a Bath

Source: https://www.babycenter.in/x1049741/will-my-newborn-baby-catch-a-cold-if-i-have-a-bath-in-cold-water

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