The baby is born with an innate adaptation to environmental conditions. This is a kind of protective mechanism, a reaction to getting from the womb into unusual conditions. Tempering newborns is an effective way to maintain and strengthen the health of the child. It supports the forces of the baby, given to him by nature. They increase the protective functions of the body, improve thermoregulation and metabolic processes, improve blood circulation, promote harmonious physical and mental development, increase appetite and sleep quality.

The process is based on a regular and smooth change in the impact of the surrounding space. Use time to change, walk, bathe or sleep. Hardening of children up to a year is especially effective if gymnastics is additionally performed or massage is done.

The results are obvious if the baby is not placed in special conditions of sterility, lack of fresh air, excessive wrapping.

It is recommended to start from 6-7 days after the birth of the child, since the body of the newborn is able to easily adapt. If you didn't catch this moment, it's okay. You can start hardening at any age.

It is better to choose a warm season, especially for babies, taking into account the emotional and physical health of the baby at this moment. Please consult your pediatrician first.

0-3 months

• Air in the room 22 °C
• Swaddling and massage - air baths 5 min
• Washing with water 28°C
• Taking a bath 36-37°C 5 min

3-6 months

• Air in the room 20-22°С
• It is permissible to sleep outside from -15°С to + 30°С
• Swaddling and massage - air baths 8 min
• Washing with water 25-26°С
• Taking a bath 36-37 °C 5 min. After it, dousing with water 34-35 ° C is added
• It is permissible to be under sunlight 3 times a day for 5 minutes

6-12 months

• Air in the room 20-22°С
• It is permissible to sleep outside from -15°С to + 30°С
• Waking period, swaddling and massage - air baths 10 min
• Washing with water 20-24°С
• Taking a bath 36-37 °C 5 min. After it, dousing with cool water 34-35 ° C is added.
• Dry wiping for 1 week with a flannel mitt until a slight reddening of the skin appears. After - wet rubdown with gradual cooling from 35 ° C to 30 ° C
• It is permissible to be under sunlight 3 times a day for 10 minutes

hardening rules

Hardening of a newborn or baby should be carried out gradually and carefully. You should start at a time when the baby is healthy. Make sure that he does not have the following contraindications:

• sleep disorders
• excitability
• digestive problems
• heart problems
• low hemoglobin level
• elevated body temperature

To achieve high performance hardening of young children, you should adhere to the following recommendations:

• observance of the regime and daily routine
• balanced diet
• physical exercises (dynamic gymnastics and massage)

The baby should be emotionally ready, and the parents should be calm and in a good mood. This attitude will definitely be passed on to the child. You can use play shapes in the process to distract the baby.

It is better to first learn about the principles of gentle hardening. Remember the sequence, because only a smooth change in the ambient temperature and exposure time can give the desired result. Regularity is also important - every day all year without interruptions for more than 5 days.

If the baby reacts negatively, cries, shows discontent, you should check if you are doing everything right. If everything is correct, postpone to a later date.

From the first days, you should start with washing, taking baths, adjusting the climate in the room and walking, regardless of the season. In summer, bathing, walking and air baths are effective. In winter, it is allowed to replace them by airing the room, as well as washing and dousing the feet.

Hardening of the baby in the air

Types of recovery are based on the impact of natural factors in combination with physical exercises. Let's consider in more detail.

walks

You can start from birth, even if there is no strong wind. Dress your child appropriately for the weather and season, and avoid overheating due to multiple layers of clothing. The first walk can last up to a quarter of an hour. Gradually, the time spent outdoors is brought to 1-2 hours. In summer it is permissible to walk longer.

Sleep on the street

You can combine a walk with. If he is calm and deep, the baby quickly falls asleep and wakes up in a good mood, then we can talk about a properly built scheme. Anxiety, sweaty skin or, conversely, a cold nose and hands indicate overheating or hypothermia.

Air baths

When changing a diaper, changing clothes or feeding a child, it is necessary to leave undressed for 3-5 minutes. Smoothly bring to half a year up to 8-10 minutes a couple of times a day. By the year, the time can be extended to a quarter of an hour 2-3 times a day. The skin should be pinkish in color and warm to the touch. May be accompanied by exercise. Outdoor baths in the shade are allowed in summer.

Water procedures

Hardening with water can be started from birth. It is divided into traditional and non-traditional (intensive). Traditional methods prescribe a gradual decrease in temperature when washing, rinsing and bathing. Later, you can try intensive options - rubdowns and douches.

Washing and rinsing

Bathing

For the first bath, 36-37°C is recommended. The duration of the first bath is from 2 to 5 minutes. Smoothly bring the session to half an hour. From the age of 6 months, the baby can be bathed in a coniferous bath or in a bath with sea salt. The course is 10-20 sessions every other time.

Rubdown

Rubbing the skin with a dry or damp flannel mitt is acceptable from the age of 2-6 months. Massage in combination with rubdowns give an excellent general strengthening effect.

Dry rubbing prepares the baby and makes up a course of 7-10 days. Then proceed to a wet wipe. For a healing effect, add sea salt in the proportion of 2 tablespoons of salt per 1 liter. First wipe the hands - from the hand to the shoulder, then the legs - from the feet to the knees. Later, you can wipe the chest and back. Duration - 3-4 minutes. For 5 days, bring the temperature to 28 ° C, lowering it by 1 degree per day. Afterwards, dry the entire body.

Pouring

Pouring water is allowed from the birth of a child. It follows immediately after bathing. The baby can lie, sit or stand. The jet is directed from a distance of 30 cm to enhance the irritating effect.

Start with local dousing of the legs and feet for 30 seconds. Volume - 0.5 liters for each part of the body. By 3-4 months, switch to a general douche, gradually including the back, chest, tummy, arms. It is recommended to make the degree lower than when swimming - 35 ° C. The temperature decreases gradually by 0.5-1 degrees daily until it reaches a limit of 26-28°C. After the body is also wiped with a towel, a massage is performed until a slight hyperemia of the skin occurs.

Sun

The sun's rays help absorb vitamin D. But the baby is in direct light is dangerous to health. Give preference to exposure to light in the shade lasting from 5 minutes to half an hour.

Later proceed to light baths from 5 to 10 minutes 2 times a day - from 10 to 12 hours and after 16 hours. Clothing must be suitable to protect the child from overheating. After that, a warm shower or douche will be favorable.

The role of massage and gymnastics

Air baths are especially effective if gymnastics is additionally performed or massage is done. From the age of 1 month, while swaddling a baby, it is necessary to alternately do a light massage or perform dynamic gymnastics. These activities are included in the general course of wellness classes with a newborn.

Expert opinion: pediatrician Komarovsky E.O. about hardening

The pediatrician Komarovsky, known to many mothers, believes that the newborn does not need hardening. With properly organized care, long walks in any weather, the baby's adaptation mechanisms laid down by nature will continue to work. The main thing is not to overdo it.

There are 2 groups of factors affecting the child from the outside: natural and civilizational (place of residence, TV, transport, etc.). To begin with, Komarovsky advises to radically change the way of life, making it natural, as well as limit contacts with the second factor. This will increase the body's resistance, reduce the frequency and severity of diseases.

The pediatrician also advises parents:

• increase physical activity outdoors;
• observe moderation in the number of layers of clothing;
• do not force the baby to eat by force;
• minimize contact with household chemicals;
• introduce a clear daily routine, including training, food, sports, etc.

In addition to the correction of the lifestyle of the whole family, Komarovsky E.O. recommends to carry out hardening measures. It is important to observe 3 main principles:

1. consistency;
2. smoothness;
3. individuality.

If all the recommendations given by the expert are followed, then this will help you avoid diseases due to the adverse effects of the environment. And also reduce the duration and severity of other ailments and possible complications for you and your child.