Delhi Air Pollution: As AQI Worsens, Follow These Easy Steps To Keep Your Newborns Protected

Diwali in Delhi is not just about all things celebratory as it also brings with it poor air quality. With the festival being just around the corner, Centre’s Air Quality Early Warning System (EWS) has

predicted that the Air Quality Index will slip into “poor” category this week. On Tuesday morning, national capital's AQI was already at 201.“Delhi’s air quality is very likely to be in the ‘poor’ category from October 14 till October 16. The outlook for the subsequent six days shows the air quality is likely to be between the ‘poor’ to ‘very poor’ category,” EWS projections released on Monday said.With Delhi's air quality taking a turn for the worse and AQI slipping into the “Poor” bracket, the youngest among us (newborns) face high risks. It is important to understand that their lungs are still developing and their immune systems are fragile. They breathe more air per unit weight than adults. Keeping in mind, even short exposure to polluted air can have a severe impact.

Why Newborns Are More Vulnerable?

• Infants inhale more air relative to their body size.
• Their respiratory and immune systems are immature. This makes them less capable of defending themselves against airborne particles.
• Long-term exposure can hamper your lung growth and also increase the risk of asthma and respiratory infections.

How To Keep Your Newborns Protected?

Here are some ways to keep your newborn protected.Stay Indoors As Much As PossibleWhen AQI is poor, restrict outdoor exposure, especially during peak pollution hours. Even when you are indoors, keep your windows and doors closed.Use A Good Quality Air PurifierA high-quality air purifier can filter out PM2.5, PM10, and other fine pollutants. Make sure you place one in your baby's room and keep it running, especially during the worst hours. Also ensure regular maintenance and filter replacement.Use Masks If you need to step out with your newborn, consider using infant-sized masks rated N95/N99. However, limit the duration of exposure to as short as possible.Keep Baby's Nose ClearUse saline nasal drops. This will help and clear dust particles from the nasal passages. Also, after any outdoor exposure, gently wipe the face and hand area. This is done to remove pollutants that may have settled.Hydration And Nutrition For Breastfeeding BabiesBreastfeeding helps strengthen immunity. Ensure your baby is fed adequately to stay hydrated. For older infants, include antioxidant-rich foods to help the body fight oxidative stress.