Ensure your baby’s comfort during load-shedding with these tips

POLOKWANE- Load-shedding can be quite a challenge, especially when you have a baby to take care of.

Power outages and erratic load-shedding schedules can really disrupt your little one’s routine and comfort, says Dis-Chem Baby City FMCG’s executive Ronald Govender.

Finding a balance between life at work and at home amid the persistent unpredictable spectre of load-shedding has caused one’s daily routine to be disrupted and has caused inconvenience for everyone. As the winter chills set in, it has been difficult particularly for families with infants or young children.

Govender proposes a few practical tips and ideas for parents to ensure their baby’s comfort is taken care of during load-shedding:

• Emergency lighting and power-lighting provides a comforting glow and maintains a sense of familiarity, as well as provides a well-lit environment for changing and feeding. To ensure your baby does not wake up to darkness during a power outage, look at investing in battery-powered lights or rechargeable solar lights. You can turn load-shedding from a major disruption to a temporary inconvenience.
• The ability to keep in-touch in case of an emergency is very important when you have a little one and power banks are important as back-up for charging mobile phones. For parents who use baby monitors, battery-powered alternatives are available to help you keep an eye on your little one even when the power is out.

Milk and food safety

The sterility of milk bottles and food containers cannot be overemphasised. As stages of load-shedding increase, it’s worth considering a quick, easy sterilising machine which steams and sterilises bottles in minutes and keeps them sterile for 24-hours with the lid on.

• Make use of flasks to store hot water for milk as well as food preparation. Insulated bottle warmers help keep water warm when there’s no hot water or kettle.
• Familiarising yourself with food safety guidelines and life span for different food items can help you to determine the safety of perishable items during power outages.
• Prepare and freeze individual portions of food in advance by using small food storage containers to freeze purees or soft foods. These frozen meals can be thawed during load-shedding and should be consumed within a safe period.

Feeding and baby essentials

Keep a supply of essential baby items such as diapers, formula, wipes, and medication at hand so that one is always prepared for power outages.

Another alternative parents can make use of is a manual breast pump if you are breastfeeding or milk warmers.

By having these supplies readily available, you won’t have to worry about running out of milk during load-shedding.

Quality Sleepwear

During the cold weather, heating has become a challenge because of power constraints.

• Layer your baby’s clothing and dress them in rompers to ensure they are warm.
• Sleep bags also help little ones regulate their temperature when sleeping so they are less likely to be disturbed by being too hot or too cold.
• Breathable all-natural fibre fabrics are more comfortable.
• Ensure you also get warm blankets for additional warmth.

Soothe and comfort your baby

By using a battery-powered nebuliser, you can ensure continuous access to necessary medication and maintain respiratory health, even during electricity disruptions.

Battery-operated nebulisers are a reliable solution during load-shedding as they provide uninterrupted respiratory treatment for babies who rely on nebuliser therapy.

Babies can sense your stress and anxiety, so it’s important to remain calm during power outages.

Comfort your baby with gentle words, soothing touch, and familiar objects like their favorite blanket or toy as your calm presence will help them feel secure.

Parents can also use soothers that glow in the dark for easy location when baby is fussy at night.