In the Summertime…..

This time of the year, the heat in Chennai is close to unbearable. As clean and dry as I keep her, I think Ri feels more sticky and tired than usual.

How do we protect our babies in the Summer and help them stay cool?

Here is what I do for Ri.

• Dress her in sleeveless, breathable cotton clothes. Mostly, shorts and wife-beaters at day and comfy pj’s at night. As hard as it was for me to do, I bid adieu to her adorable sleep n plays and footsie pj’s. Well I must admit, I did stuff her into those on some nights but then my guilt overcame me and before I could be reported to child services, packed them away. Sleep n Plays anyone?
  
• Give her chilled butter-milk at least once a day. Chilled? Believe it or not, I’m not one of those mothers who thinks that my child is going to develop a terrible cold and cough just because she drinks something out of the refrigerator. She drinks warm milk and drinking water at room temperature but I give her chilled butter-milk. I am inclined to believe that colds and coughs are caused by viruses and not by a trip to the ice-cream parlor, unless you held hands with virusey hand in parlour.
  
• Give her quick wash in the bathroom sink every time I change her diaper. Splash some water behind her neck and sticky back with a quick dab of soap.
  
• I am generous with the Himalaya baby powder to keep her cool and dry after bath-time. I recently discovered a new baby powder, Cussons. I think it’s a Malaysian product, not expensive, with a lovely fragrance. Bought Ri the Blueberry sorbet flavour.
  
• Keep her Funtainer bottle with water next to her all the time, so that she can take regular sips of water. Speaking of the Funtainer, I highly recommend it and useful for children across all ages.

I’m beginning to believe that environmental preferences are genetic. When Ri enters a room, she says ‘AC AC’ and has learnt to operate the air-conditioner’s remote by herself.

It’s funny. I am an AC addict and when I was younger, wanted to marry into a family that owned an air-conditioning business. On hindsight, should have wanted to marry someone from the electricity department.

Blog Title : Shaggy – In the Summertime