In this article “Can you go to sauna with children” I discuss all the things you should take into consideration when using a sauna with children.
Finnish families take a sauna bath at least once a week and I would claim that Finnish children are very used to saunas. However, there seems to be very little research about sauna’s health effects on children.
Read more: Can you go to sauna with a baby.
Studies on going to sauna with children
The Finnish Sauna Society commissioned a survey in southwestern Finland in the 1980s. The study made apparent that one in four children over the age of 13 enjoyed taking a steam bath for more than 15 minutes.
In addition to home saunas, children also went to sauna in spas, indoor swimming pools and gyms. Overall children liked going to and enjoyed the sauna. Nevertheless, 19% said they experienced mild nausea, headaches, dizziness, fever and even heart palpitations.
Almost half of those aged 13 and over reported having a very good night sleep after taking a sauna. However, there were a few who told that their quality of sleep deteriorates after taking a sauna.
As children’s bodies are not yet fully developed, their temperature control does not work as well as that of an adult. Thus, an infant or a small child heats up faster than
an adult at the same temperature. The child’s subcutaneous heat tissue is scant, they cannot sweat as effectively, and the hydration requirement is higher than that of an adult.
Read more: Can you go to sauna while pregnant?
What happens to a child in the sauna
Ilkka Välimäki gave a presentation on this topic at an international Sauna Congress in 2006. I have summarized here some of his main points:
In sauna, blood flow increases in adults and especially in children. Younger children also have less developed circulatory components. Children under the age of 5 experience sharp increase in their heart’s pumping power whilst in sauna.
The increase is considerably lower when the child is 7 years or older. Also, whilst cooling down after or between sauna visits, children’s blood pressure may fall slowly and, as a result, the child may experience transient dizziness. However, these symptoms pass quickly and are not dangerous for healthy children.
Sympathetic regulation of the internal nervous system, hormonal regulation of stress hormones and kidneys are all activated in a hot environment. This means that the goal is to maintain body’s water content, secure circulating blood volume, and arterial blood pressure. The hormonal responses caused by sauna bathing can be demonstrated in children.
In children aged 5 to 10 years, 10 minutes of heat stress caused 0.8% weight loss as a result of sweating. Plasma volume and salt balance were not impaired. The results
were similar in nature to the studies done with adults. Heat stress and emotional strain stayed well-controlled in children that were studied.
Heat resistance is unique, and we should not forget that. One child or adult adjusts quickly to heat whilst others are slower. Sauna can be a pleasant and comfortable experience for children, as long as the basic rules are kept in mind.
Can you go to sauna with children
Some things to remember:
- Make sure the child drinks enough
- Allow free movement between steam room, washroom and cooling
- An adult should always supervise the bathing
- Consider and minimize the risk of burns (eg lukewarm water for steam throwing)
- Do not take a child with fever to the sauna
- Make sure there is a clock in the sauna
- Talk to your doctor if your child has restrictive respiratory or heart failure!
Going to sauna
The child should be allowed to walk freely between sauna, shower area and a place where they can cool down. A child may not be able to tell whether the temperature is too hot, so an adult should keep an eye on the child at all times.
You can minimize the risk of burns by using lukewarm water and by choosing a sauna stove that does not get too hot. We have a Tulikivi stove at home which does
not feel hot when you touch it lightly. Of course, if you touch it with your hand or foot for a longer period of time, it will also cause burns.
I recommend giving the child his or her own water bucket and scoop to play with. Be sure to show how to properly throw water on the sauna stove for steam. Nowadays most saunas have one big and wide sauna bench, which can be easily turned to a play area with bucket, scoop and water toys.
The lower benches are less hot, and children usually enjoy being active. Parents can enjoy the steam on the higher benches and the child is comfortable in less hot “play area”.
Read more: 5 tips for taking a sauna with a child
Cultural differencies
Finnish children (and half-Finnish) children are certainly more accustomed to saunas because they have been taken to the sauna from a young age. Still, I believe that also non-Finnish children get used to sauna bathing if they are only taken to the sauna regularly.
I have a few friends here in Germany whose children love to take a sauna. I believe that all children would love to experience the wonderful warmth sauna gives you. After all, it’s just the best in the world. Well, at least in my opinion.
As I was researching the topic, I came across some questions:
- Can a child go take a sauna?
- When can a child start using sauna?
- Which sauna is best for your child?
- Are saunas safe for children?
The non-Finnish articles said that children should not play in the sauna and that children under the age of 8 should not use the sauna alone. I also read in an article that infrared sauna is better for a child than a regular sauna. There seems to be some differences between countrie´s sauna guidelines.
Last thoughts
Saunas have been a natural part of my life since childhood and I encourage all people to explore the world of sauna. It is my believe that sauna can be safe for children if we adults act wisely and responsibly. However, I am not a health expert. I have only put together the information I could find on the topic. Always consult your doctor if you have any health issues or concerns.
Are your kids sauna-lovers?
For this text I used materials from the website of the Sauna Association, you can read it here. (Only in Finnish).