Keep your baby safe and cool in hot weather

You need to ensure safety and comfort for your baby during hot summer weather. Keeping your baby cool in hot weather is crucial for their well-being and healthy lifestyle. Excessive heat can lead to incidents, so you need to be careful with your baby.

On this page, you will find information on:

• How to keep your baby cool during hot weather
• Signs of illness to watch for during hot weather
• How to ensure your baby is getting enough water
• What to do if your baby shows signs of heat illness
• How to keep your baby cool at night during hot summer weather

How to keep your baby cool and safe during hot summer weather

In hot weather, it’s important to ensure your baby stays cool and safe. Overheating poses health risks, especially for babies. There’s a risk of heatstroke due to overheating, so follow these tips and tricks to keep your baby cool and safe.

• Stay hydrated: To keep your baby hydrated, give them water frequently. Encourage your child to drink water throughout the day. Drinking more water keeps the body free from dehydration. Do not give sugary drinks, cold, or ice water, as they can dehydrate the body. Focus only on water to keep your child hydrated. For babies under 6 months old, only breast milk or formula milk is recommended to keep them hydrated.
• Limit outdoor activities: Reduce outdoor activities during summer. Try to engage in outdoor activities early in the morning or evening when it’s cooler. Stay indoors from 10 am to 3 pm when the sun is strongest, and avoid unnecessary outdoor exposure.
• Dress lightly: Dress your baby in lightweight, soft cotton clothes that are loose and comfortable. Light-colored clothes reflect sunlight and help keep your baby cool by allowing air circulation.
• Eat light meals: During extreme heat, give your baby watery foods and plenty of fruits and vegetables that contain water, such as cucumber, yogurt, and watermelon. This helps prevent heat-related illnesses. For babies under 6 months old, breast milk or formula milk is sufficient; they do not need additional water.
• Avoid spicy and fast foods: In hot weather, avoid giving your baby spicy or fast foods as they can contribute to heat-related illnesses.
• Stay indoors: Hot weather can lead to heatstroke, which can be fatal. Keep your baby indoors as much as possible and engage them in indoor activities.
• Cool baths and showers: Give your baby a cool bath or shower to help lower their body temperature. Wiping your baby’s body with a wet cloth frequently also helps regulate their body temperature.
• Use cooling accessories: In hot weather, use cooling accessories such as a cool towel or hand fan to keep your baby’s body cool and safe.
• Monitor your baby: Monitor your baby for signs of heatstroke or heat exhaustion, such as sweating, vomiting, tiredness, or red, dry skin. If you notice any symptoms, move them to a cool place and consult a doctor immediately.
• Skin protection: When your baby is outdoors, ensure they wear a hat to protect their eyes and face from sunburn. Use sunscreen to protect their skin.

What are the signs of illness during hot weather?

It’s important to recognize the symptoms of illness during hot weather so that prompt action can be taken, including visiting a doctor if necessary. Here are some common symptoms:

• Dehydration: Symptoms include dry mouth, lips, and tongue; dark-colored urine; decreased urine output; dry skin; lack of tears while crying; sunken eyes; and fatigue.
• Heat exhaustion: Symptoms include excessive sweating, weakness, dizziness, headache, vomiting, muscle cramps, pale skin, rapid breathing.
• Allergic reactions: Symptoms include rash, itching, redness, swelling of the lips, throat, and face, difficulty breathing.
• Sunburn: Symptoms include tenderness, painful and red skin, swelling, fever.
• Heatstroke: Symptoms include red, dry skin, high body temperature, nausea or vomiting, unconsciousness, confusion.

How can you ensure your baby is getting enough water?

During hot summer weather, ensuring your baby gets enough water is crucial for their health and safety. Follow these tips and tricks:

• Encourage water intake: Encourage your baby to drink water frequently. You can drink water in front of them to encourage them, but avoid giving them ice-cold water or cold drinks as these can dehydrate the body.
• Monitor urine color: Check your baby’s urine color; yellow indicates inadequate water intake, while dark-colored urine may indicate dehydration.
• Offer water-rich foods: During hot weather, offer your baby water-rich foods such as cucumber, watermelon, yogurt, and vegetables.
• Keep water easily accessible: Keep a water bottle within easy reach so your baby can drink water at home or when you are out. Use a reusable, portable water bottle.
• Avoid sugary drinks: Avoid giving sugary drinks to your baby as they can contribute to dehydration in hot weather.

What to do if your baby shows signs of heat illness?

If your baby shows signs of heat illness, take immediate action to prevent the condition from worsening:

• Remove unnecessary clothing.
• Move to a cool place.
• Allow them to rest and rehydrate.
• Use cooling techniques.
• Monitor symptoms.
• Seek medical attention if necessary.

How to keep a baby cool at night during hot summer weather?

Sleep is crucial for your baby’s health and development. During hot summer nights, ensure your baby stays cool for a good night’s sleep:

• Cool the room before bedtime.
• Use lightweight bedding.
• Give your baby a cool shower or bath.
• Use a fan or air conditioner.
• Keep curtains closed during the day to block out heat.
• Monitor the room temperature and adjust as needed.
• Dress your baby lightly for sleep.