Staying
cool during the summer isn’t just a desire for babies, it’s a
necessity. Babies who become overheated can suffer terrible
consequences, ranging from heat exhaustion to heatstroke. While babies
can’t exactly tell you when they are hot, there are signs that can
indicate your baby is overheating. Some signs that indicate overheating
include your baby being extremely thirsty, tired, and having skin that
is cool and moist.
Overheating is one of the leading causes of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death
Syndrome) according to the National Sleep Foundation. When babies are
too warm they sleep deeper, which can lead to trouble. For this reason,
it’s important not to overdress your baby for sleep. When she is
sleeping in her crib and there is no air conditioning in her room,
putting her in a onesie or a pair of light pajamas is best. You’ll also
want to have a fan running in her room to circulate the air, but make
sure that the fan isn’t blowing directly on her. To cool the air that
the fan is blowing you can put a pan of ice water in front of it.
A good rule of thumb is to dress your baby like you are comfortably
dressed, plus one layer. If you are comfortable wearing shorts and a
T-shirt then put her in that as well, plus a onesie underneath. If
you’re burning up and have a pair of shorts on, leaving your baby just
in her diaper may be appropriate. Try to avoid synthetic fabrics when
dressing her as they tend to trap the heat and moisture in instead of
allowing her skin to breathe.
If
you are going to be going outside with your baby then dress her in
lightweight cotton long pants, long sleeves, and a floppy hat. Keep her
in the shade and preferably somewhere she can feel a breeze. It’s
better to keep her skin covered than to use sunscreen on a very young
infant. If you must use sunscreen, apply it conservatively and only to
the areas of skin that are exposed. You’ll also want to avoid being
outside between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m because the sun’s rays are the most
damaging during these times.
On hot days holding your baby can cause her to become too hot. Your
body is warm against hers and she can overheat from being held close to
you. If you must use a baby carrier, make sure it’s a lightweight nylon
or mesh one and not something heavy like denim. You want to use
breathable fabrics wherever possible.
It’s also essential to keep babies hydrated when it’s hot outside.
Babies sweat too, and in warmer weather you need to make sure that you
are giving her plenty of fluids. Infants over six months of age can be
given water to help keep them hydrated.
Water play can be a good option for those babies that are able to sit
up on their own. Never leave your baby unattended during water play or
a bath. Babies love to splash in the water. Taking her to a covered
baby pool will also help to keep her cool. If these things are not an
option, putting a cool wash cloth on your baby from time to time
throughout the day will help keep her cool.
If it just seems too hot both in your home and outside and you fear
that your baby is too warm it’s a good idea to go hang out in a public
place with air conditioning. The library or the mall can offer
convenient, cool choices.
If you feel like your baby is becoming sick from the heat, contact
her healthcare provider. Heat exhaustion and heatstroke are serious
conditions that warrant medical attention.
P.S. This post was proposed to me for publication by Carrie Dotson. I'm therefore publishing it by her invitation and
under her permission. See also the link below fore more information:
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