Remember to keep your baby safe in the warmer weather. They can overheat quickly and do not have the ability to cool themselves down. The lullaby trust have some great information on keeping your baby safe and well.
https://www.facebook.com/LullabyTrust/
http://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/
Information below taken from the Lullaby Trust Website (http://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/roomtemperature)
AVOID LETTING YOUR BABY GET TOO HOT
It is important to make sure that your baby is a comfortable temperature – not too hot or too cold. The chance of SIDS is higher in babies who get too hot.
A room temperature of 16-20°C, with light bedding or a lightweight well-fitting baby sleep bag that is comfortable and safe for sleeping babies.
It can be difficult to judge the temperature in the room, so use a room thermometer in the rooms where your baby sleeps and plays. A simple room thermometer is available from The Lullaby Trust online shop. For more information please call 020 7802 3200.
Advice on room temperature is intended as a guide. Every baby is different, so while it’s important to be informed about overheating you need to check your baby regularly to see if he or she is too hot. Feel the baby’s tummy or the back of their neck (your baby’s hands and feet will usually be cooler, which is normal). If your baby’s skin is hot or sweaty, remove one or more layers of bedclothes.
Babies who are unwell need fewer, not more bedclothes. Babies do not need to wear hats indoors, nor sleep under a duvet or quilt.
Remember that the safest place for your baby to sleep is in the same room with you for the first six months – this will be especially helpful in judging the temperature they will be sleeping at.
Some extra super tips shared from our sister site, Harrogate Mumbler
1. Blinds/Curtains shut and windows open
My daughter was born in the middle of a heat wave. When we finally got her home at 8pm – our flat was a sweltering 31 degrees. Damn that sad face on the Gro-Egg Thermometer! If we’d just thought ahead – closed all the blinds to block the sun, and opened the windows to create a breeze we could have knocked a good few degrees off that thermometer – but I guess we were kind of busy! It’s what we did for the remainder of the heat wave and it worked a treat. Keep them closed all day if you can.
2. Freeze large bottles of water
Ice Ice baby (anyone else counting how many rap references I can shoe horn into this article?!). I’m talking 1-litre bottles plus, if you’ve got enough room in the freezer, freeze as many as you can! Place them in your little ones room overnight – it will help to cool the air as they melt.
3. Cool baths
A slightly cooler bath than usual just before bedtime should help refresh your baby – just a quick one though – don’t want them getting too chilly! This was another staple last summer in our household – my then 9 month old spent most of her time in the tub on the really hot days.
4. Hang the washing out
Hanging damp towels or sheets in front of an open window will help bring down the room’s temperature.
5. Ice fans
Another firm favourite in our household. An electric fan on its own doesn’t really cut the mustard– generally just blowing the warm air around. But put a large bowl of ice in front of the fan and it will cool the air that circulates the room in no time!
Hope these tips help to keep your little ones cool this summer. Hang on in there and just remember, it’ll probably rain tomorrow!
