The summer season brings with it special problems, especially in protecting newborns and
young children
from the harmful effects of extreme heat. There is a significant risk of sunburn,
dehydration
and
heat stroke
.
Here are some helpful tips to protect babies and toddlers during the hot summer months.
Stay hydrated
Drink plenty of water, especially in the summer.
Make sure babies get enough water by giving them regular formula or breast milk. Even if older children don't seem thirsty, give them plenty of water to drink throughout the day. Avoid caffeinated and sugary drinks, as they can worsen dehydration.
Wear appropriate clothing
Babies and toddlers should wear lightweight clothing made from breathable materials such as cotton. Choose light shades that reflect sunlight rather than absorb it. Wide-brimmed hats can provide additional protection for their sensitive eyes and skin.
Seek shade
If you are outside, try to find shade, especially during the hottest times of the day, which is usually the case between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM. Use shade sails, canopies of umbrellas so children can play in the shade. Remember that newborns should not be exposed to direct sunlight until they are six months old.
Use sunscreen
Use baby sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to protect your baby's skin from harmful UV rays. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that offers UVA and UVB protection. Apply sunscreen liberally to all exposed skin, including hands, neck, ears and face. Reapply every few hours or more often if you sweat or swim.
Keep cool indoors
It is recommended to stay indoors in a cool, air-conditioned room, especially on hot days. Never leave children or babies alone in a parked car or vehicle. Even with the windows open, the temperature in a parked car can rise quickly and reach lethal levels within minutes. Heatstroke is a potentially life-threatening emergency that can happen very quickly in such conditions.
Watch for signs of heat illness
Feeling pale from heat, including excessive sweating or flushed skin, tiredness, dizziness, nausea, fast heart rate, and confusion. If you suspect your child has heat illness, move them to a cooler environment, offer fluids, and seek immediate medical attention if symptoms worsen or persist.
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Remember, safeguarding infants and young children from the scorching temperatures of summer is paramount to their health and well-being. By following these tips we can ensure their safety while enjoying the sunshine, getting enough vitamin D is crucial for infants and children as it helps in the development of strong bones and teeth, supports immune function, and promotes overall growth. Sun exposure is one of the primary ways our bodies produce vitamin D naturally.
(Author: Dr V Mohan Ram, Senior Consultant, Pediatrician and Neonatologist, Specialist in Pediatric Critical care)
FAQs
Fortunately, preventing heat exhaustion is not difficult. The biggest advice Dr. Theisz has is to drink enough water to urinate often. If the heat gets to be too much, just go inside. He also asks people to check on more vulnerable people.
How do you keep babies safe in the heat? ›
Keeping cool
Run them a cool bath before bedtime. Keep your child's bedroom cool during the day by closing blinds or curtains. You can also use a fan to circulate the air in the room. Keep nightwear and bedclothes to a minimum.
What is summer safety for infants and toddlers? ›
Select sunglasses for babies and children that provide 100% UV protection. When it is 90° or above and humid, children should not play outside or exercise for more than 30 minutes at a time. Make sure your child drinks plenty of fluids even if they are not thirsty. Water is best.
How can I protect my newborn from heatwave? ›
Dress babies and children in light, loose clothing and protect them from the sun with hats and sunscreen. If you do not have an air conditioner, cool babies and children with a damp cloth, face washer or a lukewarm bath, never cold water.
How can we protect from hot summer? ›
Keep cool: use air conditioning or a fan, wear light and loose-fitting clothing, and keep skin wet, using a spray bottle or damp sponge and by taking cool showers. Stay hydrated: during days of extreme heat, keep drinking water before you feel thirsty, especially if outdoors or performing physical activity.
How to keep babies cool in summer? ›
Close the blinds or curtains during the day to stop the room your baby sleeps in from getting too hot. Put a fan in the bedroom to help circulate the air, but make sure it is out of reach and not pointed directly at your baby. Reduce layers; just a nappy with no bedding is fine in hot weather.
What are the heat guidelines for babies? ›
Dress infants and children in loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing. Make sure they're drinking plenty of fluids. Stay away from really cold drinks or drinks with too much sugar. Follow additional tips on how to prevent heat-related illness.
How to dress a baby in 90 degree weather? ›
Hot Weather
A good general rule still applies: if you are hot and sweaty, so is your baby. One layer of clothing is fine. Anything over 75 degrees is pretty much fair game for a single layer of clothing. Stick to 100% cotton materials that breathe well.
How do you keep kids safe from summer heat? ›
Small children should have plenty of ventilation around their stroller if they're in one, and they should be kept in the shade with tight limits on direct sun exposure. They should wear light-colored sun-protective clothing or broad-spectrum sunscreen if they're older than 6 months.
Is hot weather safe for babies? ›
"It is not OK to take a newborn or any infant outside when it's very hot—over 80 degrees or so," she says. "Babies cannot sweat, which is your body's way of cooling itself off, so they can often suffer heat stroke much quicker than an older child or adult." Plus, babies can get dehydrated faster, too.
remove any padding around your baby's cot. cover mattresses and waterproof sheets with thick layers of cotton sheets to absorb perspiration and prevent prickly heat rash. avoid using a pillow or mattress that your baby sinks down into. put your baby to bed in just a nappy.
Do babies overheat easily? ›
Not only can babies overheat easily, but they can quickly become dehydrated too. As adults, our bodies are able to keep a consistent body temperature on their own, even when the temperature or conditions around us change. It takes some time for babies to develop that skill.
Do babies pee less in summer? ›
When the weather is hot, your baby tends to perspire more and pee less. Though the diaper may not be as wet as usual, as long as your baby is peeing every 3 to 4 hours, there is no cause for concern.
