Stay Cool! Top Tips for Keeping Your Baby Comfortable in Hot Weather + Dehydration Signs to Watch For

Infants and toddlers have a significant risk of becoming dehydrated when exposed to sunlight.

• Across certain areas of the UK, temperatures remain extremely high, with forecasts indicating peaks reaching up to 29°C.
• Infants and toddlers may fall ill when the temperature soars excessively.
• Baby brand Nuby has teamed up with Infant Sleep Coach and founder of Beyond the Stars, Jade Zammit, to share their top five tips on keeping your baby cool.

Sections of the UK might soon encounter warmest day of the year , where temperatures are expected to soar up to 29°C.

The Met Office reported that temperatures climbed to 26.7°C at Wisley, Surrey on April 30th, making it the sunniest April day ever recorded since records started in 1910.

As temperatures throughout the UK are anticipated to stay high over the upcoming May bank holiday weekend, many parents have been looking for guidance on keeping their infants and young children comfortable during the warmer conditions.

Infants and toddlers face greater health risks when temperatures rise, since they're more prone to dehydration, heatstroke, and sunburn.

That’s why baby brand Nuby has joined forces with Infant Sleep Coach, Jade Zammit, who founded Beyond The Stars , to share expert-backed advice for parents on how to keep babies cool during hot weather.

What are some ways to ensure your baby stays cool during warm weather?

Here are five professional tips for keeping infants cool when the temperature rises:

Provide small amounts of water (suitable for babies aged six months and above).

If your infant is younger than six months old, you don’t need to provide water; they will probably want to feed more frequently. Once your baby passes the six-month mark, giving little sips of water between feeding times becomes okay.

Apply sunscreen only to infants older than six months.

Sun cream shouldn’t be used on babies under six months, as their skin is too delicate and may react to the ingredients. Once they reach six months, apply an SPF 50+ sun cream that offers UVA and UVB protection. Reapply every two hours or more often if your baby becomes sweaty or wet.

Keep babies out of direct sunlight between 11 am and 3 pm

Babies under six months should be kept out of direct sunlight entirely. For older babies, avoid the sun as much as possible, especially between 11 am and 3 pm when it’s at its strongest.

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Use a fan

If you're going out when it’s hot, think about using a clip-on portable fan for your stroller to assist in keeping your infant cool and comfy.

Try homemade frozen lollies

Starting from six months old, infants can relish homemade frozen popsicles crafted from water or mashed fruits. For those older than one year, you may prepare popsicles using highly diluted fruit juice; however, they ought to be served solely during meal times to prevent the possibility of dental cavities.

What are the signs of dehydration?

Dehydration can affect anybody; however, infants, young children, and elderly individuals are particularly vulnerable. The NHS states that signs of dehydration in babies might encompass:

• a depressed area (fontanelle) on the crown of their head
• sunken eyes
• little to no tears when they shed them
• not producing much urine output in diapers
• being drowsy or irritable

The NHS recommends that to prevent dehydration in infants during warm weather, you should continue either breastfeedings or using formula milk, offering smaller quantities more frequently than normal.

It is recommended to offer your infant tiny amounts of additional water if they are on formula or eating solids. For little ones, continue with their normal diet but provide frequent small sips of oral rehydration solution to replenish lost liquids.

For more information on keeping your infant secure during warm weather, visit NHS.UK .