When a baby is born, everyone advises to keep the baby warm because the baby lives under a certain temperature (warm) in the mother’s womb.
However after coming to the world the temperature changes and the baby may feel warm or cold. So always keeping the baby fully covered and in very warm temperature is not the fact.
Should babies sleep with a fan on?
As new parents, the top concern is to ensure the baby’s safety and comfort. So the question arises whether it is correct to keep the baby always warm disrespected of current climate conditions?
Sometimes a most important tool is overlooked when talking about a baby’s surrounding temperature. It is a fan. Yes, you read it right! A fan is beneficial in many ways for babies. It regulates air circulation, reduces risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). And much more.
What are the benefits of using a fan in a baby’s room?
Air Circulation: The most important factor is air circulation in the baby’s room. Fans circulate air and create a comfortable environment. On warmer days it is crucial to keep the room airy.
Using a fan makes sure the baby doesn’t get too hot or the room doesn’t get stuffy. Good air circulation is important for comfortable and restful sleep.
The Risk of SIDS is reduced – Many studies have shown using a fan in a baby’s room can reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
The theory behind this fact is that a fan circulates air around the area where baby sleep thus reduces formation of carbon dioxide.
However, fan is not the substitute of other SIDS prevention measures., like placing the baby on their back to sleep.
Produces White Noise: Babies when in the womb are used to hearing certain sounds. Like whooshing of blood, digestive system, thumbing of heart beat etc. Fans on other hand create white noise which helps babies to soothe themselves and fall asleep.
The white noise of the fan can cut off the other noises around the baby like street noise, household noise and provide a calming surrounding.
Useful for warm weather: In hot weather, fans tend to be very useful for babies. It keeps the baby’s room cool, which is important for the baby’s safety and comfort.
Sometimes hot temperatures can lead to risk of SIDS as well as restless sleep. Fan regulate the temperature of the room in warm weather and make it more comfortable for the baby.
Reduce Risk of Allergies: Fan helps to circulate air. In this process of circulation, it reduces the risk of allergies. It reduces the accumulation of dust, pollen and other allergens in the air.
Fans prevent these allergens by keeping them in motion and preventing them from settling on surfaces. Thus it reduces the chances of allergic reaction in babies.
Which fan is good for baby? Lets Differentiate
Now let’s see which fan can be used in the baby’s room. When choosing a fan for a baby’s room, both ceiling fan and table fan we need to keep certain points in mind like safety, comfort, and practicality.
Safety
Ceiling Fan: Ceiling fans are best in safety as well as air circulation. As it is plugged to the ceiling, it is absolutely out of reach for babies. They cannot touch it, pull it or put their finger inside it. Also there is no risk of strangulation as there are no cords
Table fan: Table Fan can be risky. As it is placed on the floor, there are risks for babies or young kids pulling it, touching the blades or playing with the cords. Which might result in strangulation.
Air Circulation
Ceiling Fan: ceiling fans provide a ventilated and comfortable environment as it distributes the air evenly throughout the room. Ceiling fans are a good option if you are going for fans in the baby’s room.
Table fan: table can be beneficial if you want direct flow of air to a specific area. It can provide direct cooling to a specific area but may not distribute air evenly in the room.
Noise Level
Ceiling Fan: Ceiling fan makes less noise when compared. This noise can be treated as white noise which helps the baby to fall asleep. Ceiling fan noise cuts off other ambient noises like household noise, street noise and makes a comfortable environment for the baby.
Table Fan: On other hand table fans are much noisier. The motor and airflow noise can create a disturbing environment for the baby to sleep. However, some babies can find it more comfortable because of the high level of white noise produced by table fans.
Space Usage
Ceiling Fan: In cozy little rooms, a ceiling fan can be a great addition. Its wall-mounted design helps free up precious floor space.
Table Fan: The table fan occupies surface area and is essential for directing the flow of air to a desired location. However, it cannot reach certain areas due to its limited rotation.
Conclusion
The safety of using a fan in a baby’s room is a topic that requires careful consideration. While fans can help regulate the temperature and create a soothing environment for babies, there are also potential risks to be aware.
Ultimately, the well-being of our little ones should always be our top priority, and it is crucial to approach the use of fans in baby’s rooms with care and mindfulness.