5 Effective Ways to Keep Your Baby Safe From Mosquitoes
PZZZ PZZZ! That annoying sound of mosquitoes flying around disturbs you and your baby. You usually drive them away to prevent bites and irritation. To repel mosquitoes, you usually consider using insect repellents like sprays, coils, and mosquito-repelling machines. However, these products often contain harmful chemicals like DEET and picaridin, which can be dangerous for your little one. In this blog, you will discover five natural ways to keep mosquitoes away from babies and an extra tip you may not know.
Are Those Little Mosquitoes Really That Dangerous?
Yes, those little pests pose dangers for both children and adults. They may seem harmless, but many types of mosquitoes transmit diseases through bites.
You might wonder about their dangers, the diseases they carry, and what attracts them to your baby. Don’t worry all your questions will be answered below.
What are the dangers of mosquitoes?
Did you know, every mosquito that sucks your blood is a female mosquito! They require the proteins in human blood to develop their eggs, while male mosquitoes only feed on nectar and fruit juices. Some of the dangers of these female menaces are:
They Carry Diseases: Mosquitoes transmit specific diseases from infected people to others by becoming carriers. This transmission can lead to outbreaks in certain areas, particularly dangerous for children with weaker immune systems.
These risks can disrupt your daily life with your child and interrupt the bonding and playing time.
What diseases do mosquitoes carry?
Mosquitoes spread many diseases. Some common mosquito-related illnesses include malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever, and chikungunya. These diseases can cause severe fevers, headaches, and joint pain in the baby. Understanding these dangers can help you protect your growing child.
What makes them target your baby?
Fun Fact, Many people believe that mosquitoes prefer blood, but this isn't entirely true. Studies show that while some blood types may attract mosquitoes more than others, they primarily target people for several other reasons:
Body Heat: You might notice fewer mosquitoes when you cool down a room with air conditioning. It happens because mosquitoes prefer warm environments and are attracted to human body heat.
Darker colours may attract mosquitoes easily but don't worry, you will read about how to protect your little munchkin from these pests.
How To Protect Your Babies From Mosquitoes?
You likely worry about keeping your munchkin’s safety during mosquito season. To ease these concerns, here are 5 tips to prevent mosquito bites on babies:
Cover The Baby!To avoid your child getting bitten by mosquitoes, choose clothes that cover their whole body. This includes full-sleeved shirts, t-shirts, and long pants. This gives your child an extra layer of protection against those bugs. For extra protection, try to wear light colours rather than dark colours.
Set The Net!To provide overall mosquito protection for your child, try to keep them under a mosquito-proof netting. It stops them from entering inside, making the area covered by it a mosquito-free zone. Hence, providing a safe area to sleep and play for your child.
Avoid Trouble PuddlesAs you have read above, still water breeds mosquitoes. More mosquitoes mean an increased danger for your baby. So to avoid this, you must get rid of any still water like puddles, buckets of unused water, etc. around the area you live in.
End The Scent!You may have seen above, that mosquitoes are attracted to sweet scents. This may clue you into avoiding scented lotions, soaps or perfumes on or around your baby. You can use unscented products to keep your children nourished while preventing mosquitoes.
Go Natural!Many plants in nature help you get rid of mosquitoes with their smell. Some of nature’s repellents include lemongrass, citronella, peppermint, marigolds, and lavender. The essential oils of these plants can be used to repel mosquitoes from your surroundings.
| Surprise Solution
You may not have known that the coffee you drink masks other scents for mosquitoes with its own strong scent. So coffee grounds can be used to repel mosquitoes by sprinkling it around the house or the garden. |
An Extra Tip to Keep Your Baby Safe from Mosquitoes:
People usually avoid using regular mosquito repellents around babies as they contain harmful chemicals. But you can use baby-safe mosquito repellents around your kids without worrying about other harsh chemicals. Mother Sparsh has made a DEET-free formula for insect repellents, using only natural ingredients to protect your kid from mosquitoes. Our Mosquito Go Away Kit provides safe mosquito protection for babies with all the products that you need.
Now that you know how to protect your baby from mosquitoes, try implementing these suggestions to see their effects.
Tips To Remember:
- Mosquitoes can spread serious diseases like dengue fever, malaria, and chikungunya.
- Mosquito bites may cause allergic reactions in babies.
- Body heat, sweet smells, sweat, dark colours, and still water attract mosquitoes.
- Dress children in protective clothing; use mosquito netting; eliminate still water; avoid scented products; use natural repellents.
- Choose DEET-free and naturally-made mosquito repellents for safety.
FAQ
Q.1: Can mosquito bites cause allergic reactions in babies?
Ans: Yes, mosquito bites can pose serious health risks to babies. They can spread diseases like malaria, dengue fever, and chikungunya. These diseases can hurt babies because they have weaker immune systems. Mosquito bites can also cause allergic reactions, leading to swelling, redness, and discomfort.
Q.2: Why do mosquitoes seem more attracted to my baby?
Ans: Mosquitoes are attracted to body heat, carbon dioxide, and certain scents. We usually wrap our babies up, which makes their skin warm. This makes them more attractive to mosquitoes. Additionally, dark-coloured clothing can make them more visible to mosquitoes.
Q.3: Can I use mosquito repellent and sunscreen on my baby at the same time?
Ans: Yes, you can use mosquito repellent and sunscreen on your baby. Apply the sunscreen first, let it dry, and then apply the mosquito repellent. Reapply both products as needed, following the instructions on each product.
Q.4: How often should I reapply mosquito repellent on my baby?
Ans: It's important to follow the instructions on the specific mosquito repellent product you are using. Generally, repellents should be reapplied every few hours, especially after swimming or sweating. Avoid applying repellent to your baby's hands, eyes, cuts, or irritated skin.
