babies and A/C

Killer Tomato

Okay, so everything I come across says how important it is to keep baby in a temperature-controlled environment. We live in the northeast, and don't normally use our lone A/C window unit except during the inevitable hell-has-arrived few weeks that usually show up humidly in August. Otherwise, we are pretty comfortable with ceiling fans and open windows. I actually like the warmer temperature, and tend to feel miserable and freezing in houses with central air. I also feel the constant back and forth between A/C and normal air is bad for you.

Obviously I will be checking with the pediatrician when we eventually get one, but I am curious...what sort of indoor climate control do you think is necessary? Do I need to consider getting more window units? Not just using the ceiling fans? Obviously, people had babies before they had A/C, in places much hotter than NY, so it can be done, but is it a bad idea? 

botanicalbliss

Uh, there are babies in the Africa that don't have AC, so I wouldn't worry about it.  I think the whole point is to not let your baby overheat or get too cold.  I grew up w/o AC, and I'm fine.

MomlovesEloise

What they say is that to reduce SIDS risk, you should keep the house between 68-72 degrees.

That being said, I wouldn't rush out and get more A/C units. If it gets warm, a fan should do just fine. If you find that LO is sweating a lot, you can always get them something in their room. My DD loves it cold like H, so we got an extra ceiling vent put in her room. We also live in Florida and it's 80 degrees today and hellish in the summer. 

MommaG123

The main thing is that it's thought overheating is a contributing factor in SIDS deaths and when they are brand new they can't regulate their body temperature on their own very well.

We didn't really change anything with DD as far as setting our thermostat lower or anything.  I think you'll probably be fine with the ceiling fans. 

DefiantRose

We regulated our DD's temp mostly by what clothes she wore.  In a Texas summer it's hard to keep cool, even with A/C unless you want sky-high electricity bills.  A lot of the times at night DD just sleeps in her diaper over the summer, then during the winter we layer her pj's when it gets too cold (not that it gets that cold often here). 

HoolahZinger

DD was born in humid Hawaii. We only had a wall unit in the master bedroom. It was completely fine. We just made sure she was wearing appropriate clothing and had the fan going to create healthy air circulation. As long as you are just aware of how the surroundings are, your LO should be great. It's not that healthy baby = AC...it's that there is good circulation and clothing. 

BekW2009

DD HATES the cold, she won't sleep if its not warmer than 73 degrees. Just make sure there is some air circulation. I think you're fine.

Killer Tomato

Thanks for the input, all. Common sense and ceiling fans win, then! Yay!