With summer approaching, here are my top tips for keeping your baby cool in hot weather – and, just as importantly, keeping them safe at the same time.
Sleep, bedtime and naps in hot weather
- Give your baby a cool bath before bedtime.
- Keep your baby’s room cool by closing windows, curtains or blinds during the day.
- You could use a fan to circulate air in the room. Placing a bottle of frozen water or a bowl of ice in front of it cools the air as it moves.
- Babies sleep most comfortably in a room between 16°C and 20°C, so a room thermometer can be helpful. If you can’t get the room that cool, keep nightwear and bedding to a minimum – on very hot nights, your baby can sleep in just a nappy. For safer sleep advice, see the Lullaby Trust website.
Travelling, out and about, and outdoor play
- Never cover your buggy, pram or car seat with a blanket or cloth – the temperature inside can rise dangerously high very quickly. Use a parasol or sunshade instead, so air can still flow.
- On long car journeys, take extra breaks and lift your baby out of their car seat.
- Keep babies under six months out of direct sunlight, in the shade, and in a sun hat. For babies over six months, use sun cream with SPF 50 or higher.
- For toddlers and older children, a paddling pool is a great way to keep cool. Put it in the shade (or create some shade) and supervise children at all times.
Drinks and feeding
- 0–6 months:
- Fully breastfed babies don’t need any water, but they may feed more often on hot days.
- If you’re formula feeding, you can give your baby a little cooled boiled water as well as their usual milk feeds.
- From 6 months:
- Once your baby has started solid foods, offer sips of water from a cup or beaker with meals. Breast milk or formula is still their main drink during the first year. When it’s really hot, you may need to offer extra water between meals.
- From 12 months:
- Your child’s main drinks should be water, breast milk, or whole (full-fat) cows’ milk or a suitable plant-based milk. On really hot days, ice lollies made from plain water or very diluted fruit juice can help keep them hydrated. Lollies containing juice or other sugars can cause tooth decay, so keep them to a minimum and offer them at mealtimes.
If you prefer visual information, have a look at the Lullaby Trust’s video below!
Further reading and references:
