17/07/2022
With temperatures set to rise to over 34 over the next couple of days, I understand that there has been lots of focus on the "dangers" of heat, so lets look at ways we can keep our baby cool during hot weather. The following advice is to keep baby cool, If temperatures are as predicted then recommendations would be for baby to be inside in the coolest room between the hours of 10 and 5, with minimal layers. A room thermometer will be of great benefit if you have one.
- Strip them down to their nappy
You might have lots of great summer clothes, but sometimes just stripping them off can be the best thing. Be careful if you’re outside and make sure they have plenty of suncream on and are in the shade. But remember if they are out in the sun to cover their skin.
- Keep bath temperatures warm but not hot
A stone cold bath is not the answer, but keeping baths a degree or two cooler than normal can help to make your little one more comfortable.
- Make your own frozen breastmilk popsicles
This is a great way to help keep your breastfed baby hydrated and cool if they are starting to wean. Express some breastmilk, pop it in an ice cube tray or lolly mould, freeze, then serve.
-NEVER cover the buggy with a blanket
- Offer extra water
Babies get all of the hydration they need from breast or formula milk. Offer extra breastfeeds if your baby needs it – follow their cues and take the lead from them.
However at six months if you think they need a little extra water then offer them some water – you can use water straight from the tap at six months according to NHS advice.
- Stay safe at the beach with a UV tent
Day trips to the beach are one of the best bits of summer! But beaches don’t have much shade. Create your own by taking a parasol or windbreaker or better yet try a UV baby tent.
- Keep them in the shade
Keeping your child out of direct sunlight is one of the simplest ways of keeping them cool.
- You can also try freezing child-friendly paint.
- Be suncream aware
Not all suncreams are created equally! It’s not just SPF that you need to be looking at but the UVA star rating as well. Four out of five stars plus is the ideal that you want to be getting.
- Open the loft hatch
During a heatwave my house heats up over the course of several days. This cumulative effect can make it very difficult to make the house cool, even in the evenings. Opening the loft hatch gives the heat somewhere to escape, as it travels upwards. This can help to cool the house down.
- Know the room temperature
Knowing the temperature of the room where your child is sleeping will help you decide how to dress them. In very high temperatures – more than 25C – then putting your baby down in just a nappy is fine. But when you are hovering between 19C and 23C you may be a little unsure about what will keep them most comfortable for the entire night. Remember the room temperature will drop by around 2-3am.
- Try to keep the heat out of your child’s bedroom
Once the day heats up, by around midday, close the windows and shut curtains in the bedroom. This can help to keep the heat out of the room. By shutting the curtains you’re preventing the intensity of the sun from shining into the room and heating it up. Once the evening begins to turn cooler, then open the windows up again. Be sure to keep their bedroom door open too, to allow as much air to circulate as possible.
-Mist them with water
With your toddlers, you could try popping some water in a small spray bottle and setting it to a fine mist, or play with water guns. This works great during the day too if your child is struggling to stay cool. Damping the skin has an immediate cooling effect as the water evaporates. (This is not advised if your child has a temperature if unwell as this can cause their temperature to rise, this advice is only to cool in hot weather)
- Get a fan
Having a small fan in the room can really help. Don’t have it pointing directly at your child as you’ll find they will get chilly in the night in a direct breeze. Some people also swear by putting large bowls of cold water with ice in front of the fan to cool the room.
- Move their bed
If downstairs is cooler, then consider moving their Moses basket or cot from their bedroom. We find that our living room is often the coolest place in summer. Your kids may be excited to have a sleepover in another room! I hope these tips were useful and give you lots of ideas for keeping your baby cool during the next few days, remember to keep them hydrated and if you’re baby or toddler shows any of the following signs please seek medical advice:
• High temperature of 39.4 C degrees and above without sweating
• Signs of a Headache (such as holding head), which can cause irritability
• Restlessness
• Lethargy
• Vomiting
• Breathing that is shallow and quick
• Unconsciousness
• Confusion
