Introduction
Hot summer days used to mean carefree days laying out by the pool or swimming in lakes, but as a new parent, you may be more concerned about your baby’s safety in the heat. That’s understandable given how dangerous hot weather can be for babies. Learn more about how heat affects a baby’s body and how to keep your child safe in hot weather.
How to Protect Your Baby from the Heat of the Sun
Choose the right clothes
If you’re staying indoors, dress your baby in loose-fitting, lightweight clothes made of a natural fiber like cotton, which absorbs perspiration better than synthetic fabrics. If you’re taking your baby outdoors, dress them in light-colored long pants, a long sleeved shirt and a wide-brimmed hat to protect their face. Do not leave them exposed to the sun on a cloudy day, as harmful rays can still penetrate the clouds and cause sunburn.
Provide adequate ventilation
Babies can become overheated much faster than adults because they don’t perspire effectively. Therefore, you should not leave your baby alone in a hot room or in a parked car. Their body temperature could rise even in a few minutes, which can cause fatal in extreme cases. Every year, dozens of babies and children die of heat stroke after being left in (or crawling into) hot cars.
Furthermore, don’t overdress your baby for the car. Babies sit in car seats which are rather tight and rear-facing, it can be quite hot, so dress them in one light layer only, with no hats or feet covered, so that they can transfer some heat out to cool themselves from their feet and head. Make sure the sun is not beating on your baby when you’re driving and you may also use a window shade to avoid sunburn.
Use a summer-friendly baby carrier
Within minutes, your baby can feel hot and bothered by the combination of your body heat and the carrier’s confining space. In warmer weather, use a carrier made of lightweight nylon rather than a heavy fabric like denim. Remove your baby from the carrier if their face becomes flushed.
A lightweight carrier made of thin material will keep your baby cooler than one made of thick, dark material. You can also keep your baby cool by occasionally spraying his hands and feet with water of wiping him with a wet cloth.
Keep them hydrated
Perspiration can cause babies to lose precious fluids in hot weather, even if you don’t see beads of sweat dripping from their forehead. Dehydration symptoms include flushed face, warm skin, rapid breathing and restlessness.
Babies under 6 months should not drink water (babies over 6 months can drink small amounts), to replace the loss of liquids, breastfeed more frequently or give them extra formula. In the summer, babies should drink at least 50% more than usual. Also, make sure your newborn has the same number of wet diapers as usual.
Plan your outdoor activities carefully
The time between 10a.m. and 2p.m. is the worst time to be outdoors because the sun does the most harm to skin during this period. Therefore, plan your outdoor activities before or after this peak period.
Keep an eye out for signs of heat exhaustion
When you’re taking your baby out, keep an eye out for signs of heat exhaustion. He may get cranky or irritable, or he may become very fatigued and not wake up to eat or drink, if he is overheated.
Check your baby to see if they are flushed or hotter than usual. As the overheating worsens, they may become sleepier, vomit and their skin will become dry or even get a fever. Bring your baby to a doctor for immediate medical attention if you notice these symptoms on them.
Look for shade
When you go to the beach or the park, look for a shady spot, such as under a tree, an umbrella or a canopy. A tent made of fabric treated to block the sun’s harmful rays is a useful item to bring to the beach. For proper ventilation, make sure it has see-through mesh sides. You can also let your baby wear a pair of sunglasses to protect their eyes and reduce glare.
Apply sunscreen
Try to keep a baby under 6 months out of direct sunlight as their skin is so thin and delicate. For babies who are having activities under the sun, make sure to apply a small amount of sunscreen designed for kids to their exposed skin, including their face. Consult your doctor for recommendation of sunscreen and first apply a very little amount on your baby’s skin for allergic test.
Prepare skin soothers for your children
During hot, humid weather, if an infant is sweating excessively, there may be tiny red bumps formed on their neck or groin, in the folds of their skin at the back of their knees or in the crease of their elbows, which is known as heat rash. Remove the sticky outfit and wear them in loose cotton clothes or just simply a diaper and apply cornstarch baby powder to the affected areas to relieve heat rash. Place them in a cool, well-ventilated room will help to relieve the symptoms too.
If babies got sunburn, their skin will become hot, red, swollen and it’s painful to the touch, which will cause a baby even greater misery. If a child under the age of one gets a sunburn, call your doctor right away. They’ll probably have you apply cool (not cold) tap water to the burned area and followed by a moisturizer. Blisters protect against infection, so don’t pop them.
Conclusion
It is critical to protect your baby from the sun and keep them cool in hot weather. If you have any concerns about how to take care of your baby in the heat or if you suspect they may heat stroke or a sunburn, contact their doctor right away.