Should You Have A Fan In Your Baby’s Room?

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Whether you are a new parent or have more than one child, you know how important it is to ensure that your newborn is getting a full night’s sleep. However, putting your baby to peaceful sleep might prove to be a task if you are not aware of certain tricks and tips. A lot of parents do everything they can, from arranging a night-time bath routine to using light absorbing curtains, and most of the time one or the other of these ways work. There is another simpler and almost sure-to-work option that parents can choose like setting up a fan in your child’s room. Setting up a fan will not only control the temperature of the room better but also will ensure proper airflow that would aid in your child’s sleep. Read on to know more about the benefits of setting up a fan in your baby’s room and how to make the most of it.

Can A Fan Save Your Child’s Life?

Though a very disturbing thought, it is important to know that Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is one of the major causes of infant deaths in America (1). Now, researchers are doing their best to pinpoint certain specific reasons that cause SIDS so that parents can be made aware of them. Despite not having found any specific culprit till now, it has been found that lack of airflow in a baby’s room might lead to SIDS.

What Risks Are Associated With Lack Of Airflow In A Child’s Room?

When there is a lack of ventilation in a room, it is natural for carbon dioxide to build up there. When a child exhales, factors like loose bedding, low quality airflow, having something that’s covering their head or sleeping on their side or stomach can cause higher levels of carbon dioxide to get trapped near their mouth and nose and get breathed back into the body. A study published in The Archives of Adolescent and Pediatric Medicine in 2009 found that running a fan in a child’s room can reduce the risk of SIDS by 72% (2).

What Type Of Fan Should You Use?

While you are looking to ensure adequate air circulation in your child’s room, it is common to get confused regarding what kind of fan you should be using. The most common confusion occurs between choosing a portable fan and a ceiling fan. No matter what kind you choose, you will have to keep a few things in mind.

• If you are going for a portable fan, make sure it stands on a sturdy base and can be placed at a height where the baby will not be able to reach it. You should also make sure that the power chords are well out of reach of the child so that no unfortunate accident can take place. You can also go for bladeless table fans because they are free from the threat of your child touching the blade by accident and harming themselves.
• If your nursery is a little big in size, you can go for ceiling fans as they are good at keeping large spaces well ventilated. These fans ensure smooth airflow and are especially useful during the hotter months when there are severe chances of overheating.

Should You Point The Fan At The Baby?

It is not a good idea to directly point the fan at the baby. No matter what kind of a fan you choose to use, set it up in a way that would ensure that the air flows equally in the whole room and not only towards the crib of the child. This would keep your baby more comfortable and the room cool.

风扇可以在今年吗?

The short answer to this would be yes. However, depending on the temperature and the season, the speed of the fan should be controlled. For instance, during the winter months, you can lower the fan’s speed and provide your child with extra layers of clothing so that they do not catch cold. Using the fan throughout the year will ensure a smoother airflow and will help your child to sleep better.

Now, despite all the benefits that putting a fan in your child’s room has, it is ultimately your decision as parent to take the final call of using it or not. However, using a fan does not show any adverse effects on the child’s health and rather results in a good night’s sleep for the child. This means as a parent you will also get adequate rest and wake up the next morning fresh, ready for a new adventure with your child. Do you have anything else that you would like to share with us about using a fan in your child’s room? Let us know in the comment section!