Keeping your baby cool this summer: Tips from a paediatric nurse, mum of two boys and owner of

Little Beat First Aid

After spending the winter months battling to stay away from all those winter bugs and trying to keep your baby nice and warm, summer brings a sense of relief. You and your little one can spend more time out and about and hopefully a break from sickness! 

However, the warmer weather brings with it some risks to be mindful of such as dehydration and overheating which can lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke. So, it’s important to be aware of the signs to watch out for and when you should head to urgent care.

Of course, prevention is best, so understanding how this can happen and what we can do to prevent it and keep our babies comfortable is also vital.

Dehydration

Most of us are aware that dehydration is when our bodies lose more fluid than it is taking in, so we get a deficit. For babies however, the risk is higher as this deficit can happen a lot quicker in small bodies that have less reserves. Our little ones also use fluids a lot faster than we do and they can’t hydrate themselves without the help of us parents or caregivers when they’re feeling thirsty. During summer their risk of dehydration increases even more because they need more fluids in the hot weather just like we do.

Heat exhaustion and heat stroke

Young babies are not very good at regulating their own temperature, they generate heat faster than we do and their temperature rises quicker from the environment because they have more body surface area compared to mass. This can lead to them getting too hot, too quick. If this happens, they can end up with heat exhaustion which can lead to the more dangerous, heat stroke.

Heat stroke is when the body’s internal thermostat fails leading to dangerously high temperatures.

What signs do you need to watch out for?

Signs of mild dehydration or heat exhaustion in infants:

 Less wet nappies than usual and dark concentrated urine.

 Dry lips, mouth, tongue

 Increased sweating

 Increased thirst

Signs of severe dehydration or heat stroke in infants will also include:

 No tears, sunken eyes

 Sunken fontanel (soft spot on the top of baby’s head)

 Cold hands/feet

 Pale, mottled skin

 Lethargic or floppy

 More irritable than usual /inconsolable

 Fast breathing

 Hot, dry, flushed skin (lack of sweating)

 Seizure

Babies under 6 months with mild dehydration should always get urgent medical attention. If you think your child has severe dehydration or heat stroke then take them to the nearest emergency department immediately or call 111 for an ambulance. If you are unsure, you can also call Healthline 24/7 for free health advice on 0800 611 116.  If you need to be seen, they can tell you what to do and where to go if you need to be seen urgently.

While waiting for an ambulance make sure they are in a cool, shaded area and try to give them plenty of fluids (only if they are awake enough to drink) and cooling cares such as cool wet cloths on their skin until help arrives. If your child becomes unconscious but they are breathing, lay them on their side in the recovery position. If they are unconscious and not breathing, start CPR.

Prevention is key

Keeping your little bundle from getting too hot or dehydrated in the heat of the summer can be a challenge, but as you can see it is so important to be vigilant about this. Here are some ways to try and keep them cool whether you’re at home or out and about as well as some tips to make sure they are getting enough fluids.

Ways to keep your pēpi cool and hydrated

1. Dress baby in light, loose fitting clothing layers.

Lightweight, breathable fabrics are best such as cotton or linen. However, if they’re outside then make sure that their arms and legs are covered even in the shade, as baby’s skin is more susceptible to sunburn. Hats are a must.

2. Stay out of direct sun.

Limit travel times to either earlier or later in the day so you’re not out during the hottest period. In a car it’s helpful to have sunshades on their window to avoid direct sunlight on them. Don’t use capsule covers for this. Never leave your baby alone in a car as the temperature will rise very quickly. Making regular stops on long drives is important so you can take your baby out for breaks.

Always use a pram shade when out in the sun. Ensure you use either a specific pram shade or canopy that allows for air ventilation and visibility. If you don’t have anything like that then using a light damp muslin is recommended by Red Nose Australia, ensuring there is still good airflow and it’s recommended to check and re-wet it every 20 minutes. Having a little portable fan to attach to the pram can also help keep it cool in there. Never use a blanket or anything thick to cover the pram and whatever you are using, make sure you can always easily see and frequently check on your baby. Check by feeling their chest or back of their neck regularly to see whether they are getting too hot or not.

3. Keep their sleep space cool.

Closing curtains or blinds during the day can help to keep their room cool. Around 20 degrees Celsius is a comfortable room temperature so having a room thermometer can be handy (Tip: most baby monitors show temperature as well and if you have a bath thermometer this can also be used).

If you don’t have an air conditioner, keeping windows open and using a fan in the room helps to keep the air circulating but ensure the fan isn’t pointing directly at them and keep it out of reach of mobile children.

4. Increase their fluid intake.

Babies can get even more hot while drinking because of the vigorous sucking activity and being against your body. This can make them uncomfortable and unable to drink for very long periods at a time. Due to this, babies will likely need to have smaller but more frequent feeds during the summer heat. Babies under 6 months should not have water so continue with breast milk or formula feeds and never ‘water down’ or dilute their formula. Over 6 months you can offer cool water as well as cold foods to keep them cool. Only offer oral rehydration fluids under the guidance of a health professional. The  best way to know whether they are getting enough fluids is their output. If they are still getting regular wet nappies and their urine is pale yellow then that is a great sign.

Don’t forget to look after yourself as well. If you are breast/chest feeding then because your little one may need to have more feeds, you will also need more fluids yourself. So if this is your situation, make sure to keep yourself hydrated and increase your own fluid intake during this time. As the saying goes, you can’t pour from an empty cup!

5. If they seem hot, cool them down.

Don’t give them a cold bath as this can cool them down too quickly, and a sudden decrease in temperature is not good for their little bodies. Instead, use gentle cooling cares only such as taking a layer of clothing off or giving them a lukewarm bath. This can be a nice way to cool them down before they go to sleep at night.

Have a lovely summer :)