London is getting warmer every day!
I just wrote a few days ago a post about how to stay cool when pregnant, but I thought it was a good idea to quickly write about how to keep your little baby cool.
Babies could become quite ill when it’s hot, so keep them safe.
Avoid dehydration.
Like adults, babies need plenty of water and fluids to keep them hydrated.
- If you have a little baby and you are breastfeeding there is no need to give them water, but you may want to breastfeed more than usual. And of course, remember to keep yourself hydrated as well and have a full glass of water while you are breastfeeding.
- If the baby is over six months, you could try giving cooled boiled water throughout the day. You could give some cooled baby chamomile as a variation.
For older children, plenty of water and/or fruit juice, fruit and salad will also help keep their fluid levels up. Ice-cream will probably be their favourite choice! 😉
Be safe in the sun.
Babies and children must be protected from the sun at all times.
- If the baby is less than 6 months keep him/her out of the direct sun. Their skin is super sensitive, they don’t have much melanin, which is the pigment protecting from the sun and they will easily get burned. When you are in a park stay in the shade of a tree, which can be breezy as well. Keep baby out of the buggy with a hat.
- Do not cover your baby with a heavy blanket when you are out and about. The heat will create a very hot environment for the baby that could be dangerous. Just have a light parasol, an umbrella that let circulating air and only protects from direct sun. If you are travelling by car be careful baby is on the shade, never left them unattended. Look for signs of heatstroke such as hot, red and dry skin, rapid pulse, restlessness, confusion, dizziness, rapid, shallow breathing, vomiting and unconsciousness.
- Babies more than 6 months should stay away from the 11 am 3 pm window when the sun is at its strongest. Adults should avoid that timing as well if possible. If you have to get out using any form of parasol sunshade protection to keep babies out of the direct sun, wearing hats and sunglasses are recommended.
Use a sun cream with high protection 30-50 SPF for children. Apply it regularly if you are staying out for long.
Keep babies and children cool
- Playing in a paddling pool is a good way of keeping babies and children cool. Just remember to keep the pool in the shade during very hot weather and supervise the children at all times.
- Try to keep the rooms cool during the day by closing blinds or curtains. If you have a fan to circulate the air great. Do not allow the fan to face baby. Otherwise, you could hang wet towels over chairs or windows when it’s really stifling. The evaporating water will help the air to cool. You could also place a bucket of ice or frozen water in the room to cool it down.
- Dress the baby appropriately. During the day a thin cotton vest is enough when you are outside and it’s over 26 degrees. Inside they might be fine just with a nappy if it’s over 25 degrees. In my flat on these days the temperature is stable on 26-27 degrees, and so I guess most of London houses. Older children will be okay with light short clothes.
- Remove any waterproof sheets from your baby’s cot.
- Give them a refreshing cool bath before bedtime to lower body temperature.
- At night time remove all the unnecessary bedding and keep bedclothes to a minimum. If your baby kicks or pushes off the covers during the night, consider putting them in just a nappy with a single well-secured sheet that won’t work loose and cover their face or get entangled during the night. Older children can wear a vest and underwear with a light sheet. Open windows and doors in several rooms to allow a through-breeze before bedtime.
What to do if your baby has been sunburnt?
If your baby or small child has been sunburnt, it is likely they will also be suffering from heat exhaustion and you should seek medical help. Cool the affected area and give plenty to drink to rehydrate.
For an older child:
- Cool the area under a shower for at least 10 minutes, or apply repeated cool wet towels for 15 minutes.
- When completely cooled, apply neat aloe vera gel on the affected area. This will soothe, reduce swelling and promote healing.
- Give the casualty plenty to drink and seek medical advice.
The latest tips are from “Burns, falls and emergency calls” from First Aid for Life.
Please check your GP if you have any concerns.
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