Bengaluru: The Department of Health and Family Welfare has said that in the backdrop of extreme heat, mothers should breastfeed their newborns more often to prevent dehydration in children due to hot temperatures.
Generally, in the months of March and April, there is sunshine above 40 degrees in many districts of the state including Bellary and the public should stay at home from 01 pm to 04 pm. The department has requested the public to come out of the house only when absolutely necessary and bring umbrella and water bottle.
Generally, mothers who give birth to their first child, especially in the summer season, do not know the habit of regularly breastfeeding their newborn baby after delivery, due to which there is a possibility of dehydration in some newborn babies. Such possibilities are higher in case of cesarean delivery. In such a situation, family members should breastfeed the baby every one to two hours after delivery and since mother's milk contains 70% water, it protects the baby from getting dehydrated. It is said that the child should be given only mother's milk for 6 months.
To protect the child from strong sunlight, only thin cotton clothes should be worn. Children should not be covered with more than 2 to 3 clothes or blankets. As a precaution, any dangerous symptoms in children and adults should be identified and brought to the hospital immediately.
Common danger signs:
Food refusal in children, less urination, dry mouth, lethargy, fainting, bleeding in any part of the body, fainting in adults, loss of consciousness, flushing, nervousness, extreme headache, hot and red skin, anxiety, dizziness, Muscle fatigue or cramps, nausea, and vomiting may occur.
Treatment of heat stroke:
Go to a shady place. The person's clothes should be loose, the body should lie down and the legs should be elevated. Wash the body with plain water. Call the nearest doctor.