Here are some top tips to help your baby or toddler stay cool when temperatures soar:
Indoors
- Stay indoors at the hottest time of the day and close the blinds to prevent your home becoming a mini greenhouse. Keep the windows open for ventilation.
- Place bottles of frozen water around the room to reduce air temperature.
- Put a bowl of ice in front of a fan to help cool the room down.
- Moving air (paper fan) over your toddler’s skin can help him feel more comfortable.
- Turn on the kitchen and bathroom extractor fans to help remove warm or steamy air from the room.
- Avoid using the oven - it will heat up the house.
- A cool, damp tea towel soaked in cold water and placed on pulse points or feet, a cool shower, or a cold-water bottle on his tummy (not recommended for babies) can help your toddler to cool down.
- Sponge your baby’s forehead with cool water to make him feel more comfortable (body sponging is not recommended because it can make your baby shiver which increases temperature).
- Sit or play on the floor where the air is cooler.
- Lightly dust your toddler’s skin with corn flour to absorb sweat and make him feel more comfortable.
- Put your baby or toddler in as little clothing as possible.
- Remove your baby’s (or toddler’s) nappy to keep him cool, dry and comfortable indoors. It is also the most effective treatment for nappy rash.
Night time
- Reduce bedding to a minimum and keep the bedroom well ventilated.
- Toddlers may struggle to fall asleep in hot conditions. Avoid over dressing them at bedtime. Try just a pair of pants or the pull up/nappy they would normally wear and remove the duvet from the duvet cover - use the cover part to help keep them cool.
- Slightly dampen your toddler’s bed sheets to help him to cool down at bedtime.
- Consider putting your baby in a lightweight (0.5 tog) sleeping bag with just a nappy on.
You, your baby and child will sleep more comfortably when the room is between 16°C (61°F) and 18°C (65°F).
Out and about
If you do need to venture out in hot weather, try scheduling activities earlier or later in the day when the temperature is cooler:
- Stay in the shade especially between 11am and 3pm, when UV radiation is at its strongest.
- Find a cool area to rehydrate and rest when the heat becomes too much.
- Keep to shady places such as a shopping mall or library.
- Dress your baby or toddler in light-coloured, loose-fitting, breathable clothing made from natural fibres such as cotton or silk that cover his arms and legs. Avoid synthetic fibres which increase sweating.
- Going barefoot helps little feet to breathe and cools them down.
- Protect your baby or toddler from the sun with a wide-brimmed hat to help him stay cool especially in the peak day sun. If your toddler is resistant to wearing a hat, try visiting a shop where he can choose his own.
- A sun tent can provide shade but make sure that it does not get too hot inside.
- Mist your toddler with cold water or spray from a garden hose.
- Wet hair can help your toddler to cool down.
- Sit your toddler in a cold, shaded paddling pool or refresh his feet in a bowl of cold water. Make sure your toddler is closely supervised at all times. If he starts to shiver, it is time to get out and get dressed.
- Attach a sunshade to the pushchair to protect your baby or toddler from the sun. Check that there are no metal parts on the pushchair that can get hot and cause burns.
- A lamb’s wool fleece is an ideal way to keep your baby or toddler cool in the push chair when you are out and about (although you may get a few strange glances). The fleece absorbs moisture and helps to disperse heat.
- When travelling, place a portable blackout blind or sunscreen in the side window to reduce temperature and glare, and to help shield little eyes and skin from the sun.
- Consider travelling at night when the temperature is cooler.
Stay hydrated
- Keep the fluids up - toddlers still seem to have boundless energy even in the heat but they need to drink regularly throughout the day. If they are resistant, try getting them to choose a cup/container that they enjoy using (stickers can help).
- For toddlers, a glass of water every 30 minutes or so or ice cubes melting in a cup will help prevent dehydration.
- Ice lollies, ice creams, and cool drinks with ice cubes (keep trays stocked up in the freezer) can help toddlers stay cool.
- Avoid drinks with large amounts of caffeine such as tea, coffee, chocolate and energy drinks.
- Keep your toddler’s metabolism steady by encouraging him to eat small, regular meals. Large portions increase metabolism and generate more body heat.
- Avoid salty foods which retain water and increase discomfort.
- Avoid giving water to babies under 6 months old. From birth to 6 months, babies will get all the water they need from breast or bottle milk. If your baby is older than 6 months and has started solid food, offer small sips of water with meals from a sippy cup. Avoid fruit juices or smoothies which can cause tooth decay.
