How to Keep Your Baby Cool In Summer
Here comes the sun! However, concerned parents are understandably pondering over how to keep their little ones cool this summer. We'll make your job easier by giving you a few helpful tips!
Keeping your baby cool during summer is especially important in the first six months of their life as they cannot regulate their body temperature (due to their thin skin) the way adults can. Once your baby is older they will be able to regulate their body temperature, but will still require your assistance in keeping themselves cool and comfortable.
So, “how to keep baby cool in summer” was your query? Let's take a look at the answer.
How to Keep Babies Cool on Hot Days
Let's dive right in and take a look at a few trusty tips on how to keep babies cool during hot, sweaty, and sunny summers.
Choose Loose Cotton Clothing
Dress your baby in loose, lightweight clothing. Natural fabrics like cotton are best as they're breathable and won't make your little one too hot. Always choose lighter colors that won't absorb heat and go for materials that help wick away sweat.
Additionally, make sure your baby is sleeping on cotton sheets. During summer, any fabric that touches your baby for prolonged periods of time should be one that is breathable and comfortable.
Just-a-Nappy Time
If you're staying indoors, see if you can dress your baby in just a nappy. This will allow them to feel cool in hot weather and will also result in less laundry.
Additionally, your baby should encounter fewer wet nappies during hot days. Leaving a dirty diaper on for a long time can make your baby uncomfortable and will probably lead to diaper rash and/or prickly heat.
Keep Baby Clean and Try Tepid Baths
If your baby is less than six months old, you can just bathe them once or twice a week, particularly on hot days, with cooled boiled water.
If you have an older baby, you can bathe them more frequently depending on how dirty they get and how hot the climate is. You can use tepid or slightly cool water to give your older baby a bath.
If you are wondering how often a baby should be bathed, this article will help you out.
Moreover, make sure your baby's buttocks and thighs are always cleaned in between diaper changes. This will help your little one stay healthy and comfortable during summer.
Keep Baby Out of Direct Sunlight
Keep your baby out of direct sunlight as much as possible because babies tend to get overheated and sunburnt quite quickly. If you're going for a walk, take a stroller with a sun canopy or carry them in a sling.
Now, you might be wondering: what outside temperature is too hot for a baby? Experts say that it’s best to avoid taking your baby outdoors for prolonged periods of time if the temperature is higher than 90 degrees Fahrenheit or 32 degrees Celsius.
Move on to the next point to find out more about babies and sun protection.
For Babies Younger Than Six Months, Use Clothing and Physical Shade
Doctors recommend NOT using sunscreen on babies aged less than six months. Here's an article that will help you find out more about babies and sunscreen.
However, there are other ways to practice sun safety with younger babies.
So, to protect young babies from the sun and keep them cool, it's important to choose the right kind of clothing, as was mentioned previously. Dress them in full-coverage cotton clothes and don't forget to make them wear a wide-brimmed hat.
Physical shields, like an umbrella, hat, or tree shade, are also useful when it comes to sun protection. It's generally best to avoid taking your younger baby outside when the sun is at its hottest, which is between 10 am and 4 pm.
For Babies Older Than Six Months, Use Sunscreen
It's important to keep your baby's skin protected with sunscreen, full-coverage cotton clothes, wide-brimmed hats, and sunglasses.
Sunscreen is safe to use on older babies; make sure you choose one with an SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 30 and which contains titanium dioxide or zinc oxide (natural minerals that physically block both UVA and UVB rays).
In a nutshell, your baby's exposed skin is always at risk for sunburn when you're outdoors on those hot, sunny days, so sunscreen is extremely important! Don't forget to reapply sunblock on your baby after they sweat or take part in activities like swimming or paddling.
Regular Hydration Is A Must
Make sure your baby is hydrated when they are encountering very hot weather.
Regular drinks of breastmilk or water, depending on their age, are a must if you wish to keep your baby cool. If you do not breastfeed your baby, stick to bottle feeding and infant formula but make sure it is done frequently so as to replenish the water and nutrients lost by your little one in the heat.
Remember that babies under the age of six months need only breastmilk for nutrition and hydration! If they're old enough, they can also have very diluted fruit juice that is cool (but not cold) along with plain water.
If your baby has started eating solid foods, allow them to eat refreshing fruits like watermelon, orange, and strawberry. They can even have frozen lollies and cool yoghurt. But make sure they don't eat a lot of sugary stuff as that can lead to tooth decay.
Keep the House/Room Cool
The ideal room temperature for a baby is between 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit or 20 to 22 degrees Celsius. If you have air conditioning at home, make sure to set the temperature accordingly.
Make sure to keep your baby in the cooler room of the house. You should also keep the blinds drawn or curtains shut during the day to block out the sun's rays.
Having a fan will also help your baby beat the heat during those hot summer months. Opening as many windows as possible during the evenings to allow a cool breeze in is also a good idea.
Combat Those Hot Nights
Hot weather can make it difficult for babies (and parents!) to sleep through the night.
If you don't have air conditioning but need to make sure that your baby sleeps comfortably at night, use a fan in the room to circulate the air and keep things cool.
Don't swaddle your baby in layers — dress them in loose cotton clothes. If you are dealing with rapidly soaring temperatures, your baby can just sleep in their nappy.
Using a cool-mist humidifier in your baby's room to add moisture to the air and to help them breathe easier is also a good idea.
Frequently Check Your Baby for Signs of Overheating or Heat Rash
Babies get overheated quickly, so make sure you regularly check them for any signs of this. If your baby is too hot, they'll likely have sweat on the neck. Your baby might also get flushed if the weather is uncomfortably hot and might seem more irritated than usual.
Heat rash or prickly heat (also known as miliaria) is common in babies during summer. If your baby has clumps of tiny, soft red dots in patches across their body then chances are that they have prickly heat due to clogged sweat glands. Common sites for heat rash are the face, neck, chest, legs, diaper area, and within skin folds.
If your baby's heat rash refuses to go away or if your baby's temperature goes up, take them to a doctor. Some common signs of overheating, heat exhaustion, and sunstroke in babies are red and dry skin, irritability, excessive crying, rapid breathing, fever, vomiting, fainting, and dark urine.
We hope these tips will help you keep your baby cool and comfortable during summer!
Keep Your Baby Happy and Healthy with Nature's Baby Organics
It's important to choose baby products that are gentle on and soothing to the sensitive skin of little ones, especially during summer.
Nature's Baby Organics has a range of baby skin and hair care products that are organic, natural and free of harsh chemicals, sulfates, parabens, and artificial fragrances — perfect for your little one's skincare routine during those hot, sunny days.
Our plant-derived, cruelty-free, and USDA-certified organic products are suitable for all skin types — and in particular, problem-prone and irritable skin. In fact, Nature's Baby Organics is perfect for the whole family! From shampoos to oils, we've got it all.
Head over to our website today and let your baby enjoy a refreshing and gentle summer.