Anyone who’s had a baby in the summer months will know how much time and effort you spend worrying over whether the baby is cool enough, drinking enough and sleeping in the right clothes and bedding. When the weather is scorching and you have an infant who is biologically designed to be near (read: lying on!) its mother, it can increase your already high levels of fatigue and stress.
We’ve compiled a basic, common sense guide to getting through the long hot days of summer in comfort with your little one. Regardless of whether baby is breast or bottle fed, sleeps in a bassinette/cot or beside you in bed, remember to trust your instincts when it comes to your child and watch for their cues. They will soon let you know if they’re thirsty or over heated, it’s up to us to listen and respond accordingly.
Feeding/Fluids
- There’s little to no way to avoid the up close and personal, hot and sweaty summer time feeds. To avoid that sticky, sweaty feeling of bub’s head resting on your arm, lay a towel, cloth nappy or muslin wrap between you and the baby. If you are breastfeeding, learning to feed lying down means less skin to skin contact and a great chance for a little rest! Always make sure that baby isn’t over dressed when feeding as your body temperature will provide extra heat.
- Fully breastfed babies rarely require extra fluids on hot days. You may find that your child will feed more frequently and for shorter periods, so as to make the most of the thinner, ‘low-fat’ milk. Bottle fed babies may require extra bottles or small amounts of cooled, boiled water if they are showing signs of thirst. Please follow your doctor’s advice on when and how much water to offer.
- Older babies or toddlers should be encouraged to drink more water (regardless of whether they are still breastfeeding or having formula.)
- Don’t forget YOU need to keep hydrated too! The extra demands of caring for an infant in hot weather will rapidly deplete your hydration. Keep bottles of water at different spots around the house to encourage you to keep drinking! Try and avoid quenching your thirst with sugary juice and steer well clear of caffeinated drinks. Water is the fluid your body craves.
At home:
- Air-conditioning: Be mindful that air cons can very quickly dehydrate small children so be prepared to breastfeed or offer more fluids if you’re stuck inside all day. A temperature of around 24 degrees is comfortable, but do avoid placing baby directly under the flow of cold air, and watch that the room doesn’t become too cold.
- A tepid bath with water that is around body temperature is soothing for a hot, fussy infant. A damp washcloth dabbed on the face is another option for a quick refresher.
- Dress baby lightly and comfortably, but remember to cover up their arms and legs if heading outdoors.
Sleep:
- Naptime: On very hot days, it’s probably best to stay home if you can and have baby sleep in the cool comfort, rather than risking the car ride nap which more often than not results in a hot, sweaty baby. Try and do your traveling early in the day to avoid the harsh midday and afternoon temperatures.
- Prams can be very enclosed and stuffy and not all that pleasant for babies to sleep in on hot days, (the same applies to car seats). Where possible, if napping on the go, make sure you have a stroller with an airy, laid back position with adequate air flow. Merino pram liners help to keep baby cool and regulate body temperature.
- Follow the same guidelines for bedding and clothing you use at night time (detailed below)
Night time
- It can be incredibly confusing putting baby to bed on a hot night, depending on where you get your advice. Most information will advise keeping the temperature of your baby’s room at around 18 degrees. If you are swaddling your baby, switch to a light, muslin wrap and perhaps experiment swaddling her looser. If your toddler is in a sleeping bag, there are some gorgeous, light muslin or cotton styles available. (Babies/toddlers who co-sleep or bed share have different requirements in the heat than those who sleep in cots or cradles. There are some very informative co-sleeping checklists online to ensure that if you choose to bed-share, you can do so safely.)
Following are the temperature and sleep guidelines as set out by SIDS Australia. For more information, please see their website www.sidsandkids.org.
• Babies control their temperature predominantly through the face. Sleeping baby
on the back with the head and face uncovered is the best way to protect baby
from overheating
• It is not necessary to monitor the room temperature or to leave the heating or
cooling on all night as long as the baby is dressed appropriately for the room
temperature
• Dress baby as you would dress yourself – comfortably warm, not hot or cold
• A good way to check baby’s temperature is to feel baby’s chest, which should
feel warm (don’t worry if baby’s hands and feet feel cool, this is normal). If baby
is sweating or has a red face, remove some bedding or clothing. This may be
necessary if baby is unwell, in which case you should seek medical attention
• Ensure that baby’s head and face cannot become covered - remove bedding
such as duvets, pillows, bumpers, lambs wool, soft toys etc
• A good way to avoid face covering is to use a baby sleeping bag (one with fitted
neck, armholes or sleeves and no hood)
• If using bedclothes rather than a sleeping bag, it is the best to use layers of
lightweight blankets that can be added or removed easily according to the room
temperature and which can be tucked underneath the mattress
• Remove baby’s bonnet as soon as you go indoors or enter a warm car, bus or
train, even if it means waking the baby
• Never use electric blankets, wheat bags or hot water bottles for babies
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