Only parents know how much one can worry about the littlest things that you’ve never even thought about before. Can your baby sleep alone? Will a ceiling fan make a newborn sick? Can babies eat strawberries? Doesn’t it feel like you’re always worrying about something?
As a responsible parent, you want to keep your little ray of sunshine as safe as possible, and you’d do anything to help her live a healthy life. We completely get that, and it’s good that you’re always thinking of ways to protect your baby. That’s what makes you the parent of the year!
Being a parent is far from easy, especially if you’re new to it. The inexperience and the breathtaking love that you have for your baby can make you think about things that you never thought could affect one’s health and comfort.
However, these worrying thoughts can be overwhelming. At one point, you might have a hard time even differentiating between what’s safe and what’s not. That’s why we’re here to help you.
We’ll help you understand how ceiling fans can influence your infant’s health and whether they are as bad as you might think. Without further ado, let’s see if you should get rid of your fan for the sake of your baby’s safety.
Will a ceiling fan make a newborn sick?
Good news for all of you who already have ceiling fans installed – they won’t make your newborn sick! In fact, they might even bring some benefits that could help you keep your baby safe and healthy.
That doesn’t mean you should always have it turned on and at the highest speed. Just like it’s the case with most things that influence your baby in any way, you should be careful.
For starters, make sure your little one’s crib isn’t directly beneath the ceiling fan. Newborns are super sensitive, so it’s best to keep them as safe as possible. We recommend you also keep your door open when the fan is on.
And, of course, you don’t want your fan blowing crazy fast over your baby. While it could be too cold for her, it could also cause breathing difficulties. Because of that, it’s best to keep it at medium speed, just for some air circulation.
Benefits of ceiling fans for newborns
So, now that we know that the ceiling fan won’t make your newborn sick, it’s good to know what are some benefits of having one in your little one’s room. And let us tell you – there are many! So you might want to consider getting one if you don’t have one already.
1. They create white noise and help fall asleep
As a parent, the white noise app on your phone is probably your best friend at the moment. However, since you’re always wondering about what are some things that could negatively impact your little one’s health, I’m sure you’ve thought about phones, too.
The ceiling fan might create a natural white noise that will calm down your baby and lull her to sleep. It’s truly a miracle how this type of noise can influence your little one, and it’s a lifesaver for parents with fussy babies.
Instead of using apps or constantly having to keep the vacuum on, a ceiling fan is a great way to create a safe and comfortable environment for your baby.
It will filter out any other noise that might disturb your baby’s bedtime and keep her calm and happy. It encourages some good sleep that will benefit both you and your little one.
2. They’re good for air circulation
One of the main reasons why people get ceiling fans in the first place is improved airflow. Having one in your baby’s room can reduce the feeling of stuffy air. But, is that amount of airflow too much for your fragile baby?
No, it’s not. Your little one’s body is much better at regulating temperature than you’d think. A lot better than yours, actually! Their small bodies are great at dealing with temperature changes. Even if her room feels a bit cooler, you don’t have to worry about your baby getting sick.
Of course, that doesn’t mean you should make your baby’s room so cold that you need to put on a jacket every time you go in, but a slight change in temperature won’t affect her. Her body will adjust to it, and the environment will be a lot healthier with more airflow.
3. You’ll be able to regulate the temperature
A responsible parent is always thinking of their baby’s temperature, which is probably why you’re trying to figure out will a ceiling fan make a baby sick in the first place. A lot of parents believe that keeping their little one’s room hot is good for her, but that’s not really the case.
A good old ceiling fan provides enough breeze to keep the room temperature comfortable for your baby. They won’t make a drastic change like air conditioners, but rather create an environment that’s comfortable for your little one.
On top of that, they’re a lot more energy-efficient, and won’t cost too much, either. We know how expensive it can be to have a newborn, so it’s always good to look into some affordable ways to keep your baby safe, comfortable, and healthy.
4. They reduce the risk of Eczema
Babies are prone to developing Infant Eczema if they’re exposed to dry air. Having an AC in your baby’s room can cause the humidity levels to drop, which can influence the development of this skin condition.
Ceiling fans, on the other hand, are a great solution for balancing the humidity levels in your little one’s room. Unlike air conditioners, they can cool down the room without reducing humidity, and therefore reduce the risk of Eczema rash.
Things to keep in mind if you plan on having a ceiling fan in your baby’s room
So, no, the ceiling fan won’t make your baby sick, but there are still some things you should keep in mind if you plan on adding it to your little one’s room. Don’t worry – these are nothing drastic. In worst-case scenarios, however, they can be life-changing…
1. Clean your fan regularly
Since ceiling fans are far from our sight, we often forget to clean them. However, they can catch a lot of dust that circulates once the fan is on. Cleaning yours at least once a month will help you avoid that.
The blades on your fan accumulate dust and allergens that get dispersed all over your little one’s room. Inhaling this debris can have a negative impact on your baby’s overall health or even cause some allergic reactions.
To avoid this, simply wipe the blades once or twice a month. We recommend using organic solutions so that your baby doesn’t inhale any harsh chemicals that your preferred cleaning agent might leave on the blades.
2. Make sure it’s installed by a professional
Although installing your ceiling fan might seem like a little DIY project that could save you some money, we highly recommend you let a professional do it. Ceiling fans are heavy and can be rather unstable, and we know you don’t want to have that circling above your little one.
No matter how easy it may seem to install one, a professional will ensure that your ceiling fan is installed properly. That means that it’s securely connected to the ceiling without any risk of it falling down. Your wallet will definitely feel it, but you’ll sleep better at night knowing your baby is safe.
3. Declutter your room
What’s the first thing you should do before bringing your newborn home, you wonder. Well, you should start by decluttering her room. It should be completely clear of any object that might harm her or obstruct her breathing. That includes the cute decorations that you have hanging off your ceiling fan.
We can’t emphasize enough how important it is not to hang anything on your nursery’s ceiling fan. It could easily fall into your little one’s crib and disturb her sleep or even injure her. Leave the decorations for when her nursery turns into a teenage room. For now, her safety is your top priority.
The safest room temperature for your newborn
It’s essential that the temperature in your nursery creates a comfortable environment for your baby to be in. That means it shouldn’t be too hot or too cold. So, what’s the ideal temperature?
We’d recommend keeping your nursery’s temperature around 21 degrees Celsius, or 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep her bedding light and make sure you don’t put blankets on her at night, as that could obstruct her breathing.
If this temperature seems too low for you – don’t worry. It will create the comfiest and safest environment for your baby to sleep in. Installing a ceiling fan will keep a healthy airflow, and you’ll be able to sleep at night knowing your baby is safe and sound.
