At what age is the sauna good for my child?
As a general rule, a visit to the sauna is only suitable for a child from the age of three. In this case, it is also advisable to limit the visit to the cabin to two short sessions. The most important thing, however, is that parents never let their children out of their sight when they are near a sauna cabin.
What are the health benefits of sauna for children?
There are perfectly good reasons why you can take your child to the sauna. If the age is right, and the child is healthy and comfortable in it, he or she can also benefit from a visit to the sauna cabin.
For example, a child’s body can adjust to temperature differences much more quickly than that of an adult. The mucous membranes of the respiratory tract are better supplied with blood, which means slower dehydration in winter. This is because moist, well-circulated airways are more robust against cold viruses.
In addition, the warmth stimulates the body’s immune system so that invading viruses don’t stand a chance and germs can be eliminated directly. And: muscle tension can be relieved in a wonderfully gentle way by a visit to the sauna, both for adults and for children.
Why parents need to consider the age limit of their children for a sauna visit
Young children, as well as babies, have a much larger body surface area than an adult compared to the volume of their body. Therefore, they cool down much faster in cold weather and can also overheat faster than their parents in high temperatures. Therefore, it must never be forgotten that a visit to the sauna is always a great physical challenge for children.
For this reason, the German Sauna Association recommends that children should not visit a sauna until they are at least three years old. This applies to both public and private saunas. It is also important that the child is continent or no longer dependent on a diaper. In addition, there should be a maximum of one child under the age of seven per adult and, of course, this should always be kept in mind.
In general, it is advisable that children under the age of ten only visit a sauna when accompanied by an adult. In certain cases, it may also be important for older children to visit the sauna only under supervision – in this case, parents should decide for themselves when an independent visit is possible.
There are special sauna courses for parents with babies that are suitable for children as young as four months. However, these are special sauna sessions that last only a few minutes, are not too warm, and do not involve an infusion.
Possible health risks for children in the sauna
If infants or children are healthy, there is usually nothing to prevent them from taking a short sauna session. However, if the child is suffering from a cold, flu or has a fever, a visit to the sauna is anything but conducive to good health. The same applies to children who have diarrhea or vomit on the day of the sauna visit. In such cases, children are already dehydrated and should therefore not be exposed to the intense heat of the sauna under any circumstances.
A visit to the sauna should also be avoided if a child has an open wound or has recently undergone surgery. In the case of skin problems, chronic illnesses or a heart defect, it is urgently advisable to consult a pediatrician beforehand. In this case, a visit to the sauna may also not be advisable.
Even a healthy child can overtax the circulation by visiting the sauna. If he or she does not drink enough, the body may experience problems with heat regulation. If a child is afraid, hyperventilation may occur. However, both can be avoided with proper preparation for the visit to the sauna, parental care and, above all, a lot of understanding.
Tips for a relaxing visit to the sauna with the child
It goes without saying that a relaxing day at the spa for parents is usually boring for children: It’s not particularly exciting for children to sit around and sweat in the sauna all day. In order for the visit to a sauna cabin to still be successful, the child should first be asked if he or she even wants to go. There’s no point in enjoying a visit to the sauna yourself because your offspring are whining and not feeling well.
It is important to explain to the child in advance what to expect in the sauna and how the visit will proceed. In this way, any fears can be reduced in advance and the child becomes curious. A good tip are adventure pools where the child can also have fun and where a visit to the sauna can be inserted in between. If the child is sensitive to heat, they should moisten their face with cold water in advance before visiting the cabin. The most important thing, however, is to drink plenty of fluids before and after the sauna visit to compensate for fluid loss.
Conclusion
Children can benefit from a sauna visit from the age of three under certain conditions. The sauna can improve blood circulation to the mucous membranes, strengthen the immune system and relieve muscle tension. However, the age limit must be observed, as children are more sensitive to heat and cold. In addition, parents should make sure that the child is healthy and comfortable. In case of certain health problems or over strained circulation, a visit to the sauna should be avoided. Adequate hydration before and after a sauna session is important. The decision whether a sauna visit is suitable for the child is ultimately up to the parents, who should take individual circumstances and needs into account.
