How to treat hypothermia in babies
Normal baby temperature is 36.5 0C – 36.5 0C. The baby’s low temperature causes metabolic and physiological processes to slow down. Respiratory speed, heart slows down, low blood pressure and loss of consciousness so that if left untreated it can cause hypothermia death. Therefore WHO recommends care to maintain heat in newborn care.
Why do babies need to be kept warm?
Newborns lose heat 4x more than adults. This heat loss causes a drop in temperature. In 30 minutes I decreased the temperature between 3-4 degrees Celsius. In addition, the body’s heat regulation center is not functioning properly and the baby is not yet able to adjust the position of his body and clothes so that he does not get cold.
Babies lose heat in the following ways:
Radiation/radiation.
The baby’s body heat radiates to the cooler surroundings. Suppose the baby is placed in a cold room, the baby is left naked.
Evaporation / evaporation
The baby’s body heat evaporates with the amniotic fluid/water that moistens the skin. For example, the baby is not wiped after birth
Conduction / creeping
The baby’s body heat travels from the baby’s skin to a cooler surface.
Convection / flow
Body heat flows with the air currents around the baby. For example, the baby is placed near an open door or fan
How to prevent heat loss
Breastfeed the baby immediately after birth (IMD and exclusive breastfeeding)
The skin temperature of the mother’s chest that gives birth will adjust to the baby’s body temperature. If the baby is cold, the mother’s body temperature automatically rises 2 degrees to warm the baby, if the baby’s body is hot, the mother’s body temperature automatically drops by one degree to cool the baby.
Not bathing the baby before 6 hours after birth.
This is useful so that the vernix does not disappear quickly, helps regulate body temperature, reduces the risk of infection, creates breastfeeding success, creates bonding between the mother and baby and keeps the baby’s blood sugar levels stable
- Place the baby in a warm environment
- Give the baby warm, soft clothes and hats.
- Immediately change wet diapers/clothes
- Warm your hands before touching the baby
- What are the symptoms of hypothermia?
- the first sign is that both hands and feet feel cold. If left untreated, further signs can arise, namely the whole body feels cold
- the baby is not active / limp
- baby is lazy to suckle
- baby moaning / crying weakly
- How to deal with hypothermia
Replace wet clothes with warm clothes and a hat
- Place the baby in a warm room
- Skin to skin / kangaroo method
- Breastfeed as often as possible
- Use an incubator