4 Tips to Protect Your Baby from Mosquito Bites

Medical Video: HOW TO PROTECT BABY FROM MOSQUITO BITES & HOW TO TREAT A BITE

Caring for your newborn is very difficult for those of you who are still new parents. Even before your little one is born, you are already troubled by the preparation, and more troublesome when your child is born. But of course this is commensurate with the happiness you get. There is one problem in tropical countries like Indonesia that you should pay attention to, which is protecting your baby, which is a small insect that often disrupts your sleep or your little one, especially if it's not a mosquito.

According to research, there are more than 3000 species of mosquitoes flying on this earth, both in hot and cold climates. Although it is able to live at the poles, most mosquitoes prefer to live in tropical climates with high humidity such as in Indonesia. Do not underestimate these small insects, because the problem of mosquitoes is not only a problem of bumps or itching after being bitten, but mosquitoes can also cause various types of diseases that are very dangerous. You must have memorized diseases like dengue fever, malaria, or chikungunya. This dangerous disease is caused by one of the species of mosquitoes and mosquitoes in our country.

Almost all people, especially parents who have babies and toddlers, definitely want their homes to be free of mosquitoes. You definitely don't want your child to get a dangerous disease, right? Don't worry, before it's too late, you can read 4 tips to protect your baby from mosquito bites from the following article.

1. Maintain the cleanliness of the home and surrounding environment

Sounds trivial indeed, but this has a big impact on you. Ordinary mosquitoes lay eggs in non-flowing water, such as water in buckets, bathtubs, flower vases, and so on. Mosquito eggs usually hatch in 7 to 10 days. Therefore, make sure you replace water in the bath or vase as often as possible. Clean the walls of the bathtub when we drain it so that the mosquito eggs are not left there.

Also, make sure you close the water containers at home so that the mosquitoes do not lay eggs in them, the mother's father can sprinkle abate powder in the bath which is hard to drain to kill the mosquito larvae.

Put kerosene over the open water container outside. Kerosene will form a layer on the water so that mosquitoes cannot lay eggs there. Dispose of objects that can hold rainwater from around the house because it can also be a place for mosquitoes to lay eggs. This is the main step you must take to protect your baby from mosquito bites.

2. Use safe clothing

One of the most effective ways for your child to avoid mosquito bites is to minimize the exposed skin area. The point is you have to wear your baby long-sleeved clothes and long pants. These clothes are better for avoiding mosquito bites than shorts or short skirts, especially during sleep. For comfort issues, choose clothes that are cold, absorb sweat, and allow air circulation so that your child does not feel hot.

3. Install mosquito nets

Installing a mosquito net on a baby's bed can prevent the baby from mosquito bites. The use of mosquito nets is usually effective until the little one starts to crawl on his own. This anti-mosquito net can usually be purchased at stores that sell baby equipment. Check every day for mosquitoes trapped by mosquito nets.

4. Use mosquito repellent lotion

If you are still worried that your baby will be bitten by mosquitoes, you can use a mosquito repellent lotion. Then, is it safe for babies? Most of the mosquito repellents on the market contain DEET or diethyltoluamide compounds. Research shows that DEET is toxic or toxic to the eyes and if swallowed by the mouth. Do not use mosquito repellent lotion if your baby is still under two months, this is not recommended.

Anti-mosquito lotion that is safe for newborns

Then, how to protect babies under two months from mosquito bites? In addition to following the three tips that you have read, if you really need a mosquito repellent lotion for your little one, you can use mosquito repellent lotion from natural ingredients such as wasp oil or oil containing betel leaf (citronella). Mosquitoes will not get close to the aroma of these two types of oil. It's just that it needs to be considered, be careful using citronella on the skin of a baby who is injured or is being irritated because it can cause pain.

It is your duty as a parent to protect your baby from all kinds of things that endanger her, including from disease-carrying mosquitoes. If you still feel hesitant to use mosquito repellent or oil lotion, it's a good idea to consult your baby doctor.