It's finally here, the long-awaited summer. We're so happy about the sunshine, warm temperatures and mild summer evenings. But there are a few things to consider when you have a baby. When the thermometer hits 30°C, it's not just us adults who start to sweat - our little ones also struggle with the extreme heat.
Sunstroke, dehydration, heat stroke: Babies and small children are particularly at risk in hot weather: they dehydrate more quickly and are more likely to get sunburn or sunstroke.
Babies don’t have it easy in the summer. Babies like it warm and sunny, but
The extreme temperatures can be extremely stressful for our babies. Parents should therefore have a few tips ready on how to protect your baby in hot weather. This way, you can have a wonderful first summer despite the intense heat.
How dangerous is the heat for babies?
Since babies cannot yet regulate their temperature, they tend to either get cold or get overheated. Babies and small children sweat less than adults and therefore give off less heat. On the other hand, they generate more metabolic heat during physical activity than adults. In extreme heat and when exerting themselves, the child's body is often no longer able to reduce its temperature sufficiently.
In addition, they are often dressed too warmly and can therefore overheat. Babies also have lower fluid reserves and dehydrate more easily. Watch for signs such as nausea, vomiting or drowsiness - these can be signs of sunstroke. In addition, if you suspect sunstroke, the body temperature should be measured: if it is over 39 degrees, this could indicate heat stroke. Heat illness usually manifests itself in disorientation, headaches and nausea.
To survive the summer well, here are the 12 best tips to beat the summer heat:
How do I protect my baby from heat?
At temperatures above 30 degrees, your baby will not get cold. That's why it's a good solution to keep your baby in a diaper on a blanket in the shade. And it should also be clear that you shouldn't be outside in the blazing midday heat and should instead look for a shady spot.
omit the diaper
Babies love to kick around naked and get fresh air on their bottoms. It is also healthy for their delicate baby skin and often protects against sore bottoms.
Splashing in (warm) water
Babies also love a refreshing bath in the summer. However, only in lukewarm water, as babies cool down very quickly as their bodies are not yet able to regulate their temperature. Babies therefore need a temperature of around 38 °C for longer baths. However, there is nothing wrong with a quick splash in cooler water - as long as your baby likes that.
washcloth cooling
Your baby doesn't like splashing around? Experts recommend wiping the baby with a damp cloth, which cools them down just as well. When the water evaporates, it has a pleasant cooling effect on the skin.
The right sleepwear
In summer, a short-sleeved bodysuit and a thin sleeping bag are enough for sleeping. In very hot weather, a diaper and thin sleeping bag combination is also possible.
Avoid drafts
draft is generally bad for babies. They can easily catch a chill. That's why fans are not recommended for children's rooms. To keep the room nice and cool, you should ventilate it well at night and in the early morning. Your baby should also not sleep directly in front of an open window when it's hot. It's better to leave the door open and ensure there is a draft in the adjacent room.
The right clothes for my baby in summer
Babies are unable to regulate their own body temperature properly and are therefore prone to overheating because they are often dressed too warmly. Natural fabrics are ideal because they allow the skin to breathe sufficiently and transport heat away to the outside.
- Cotton
- silk
- Linen
We also recommend that you always wear a sun hat with UV and neck protection. The lighter the material, the less heat it absorbs.
And we also recommend: Pack spare clothes ! Because if your baby is sweating and then a cool draft comes, it's good to be able to change him or her.
The quickest way to tell if your baby is hot or cold is to feel the back of the neck. Heat pimples are also a sign that your baby is wearing too much clothing.
Sufficient fluids for babies in hot weather
If you are still breastfeeding your baby, it is well cared for. The milk automatically adjusts, no matter how hot it is, the baby is optimally cared for with breast milk. Even with industrially produced infant formula, the addition of additional liquid is not necessary. You breastfeed your baby as needed or give the bottle more often than usual to satisfy the increased need for liquid. Please note that babies should remain "water-free" until they are 6 months old. Only when the baby starts solid food should additional water be offered in hot weather. For babies up to 12 months old, the recommended guideline for total daily liquid intake is around 500 ml a day. Dry lips in children indicate a lack of fluids.
shade instead of full sunshine
When playing outside, please look for a shady place, avoid the midday heat and always make sure you have adequate sun protection and a hat. Even if you avoid the midday heat, the baby should not be in direct sunlight for the rest of the day. In direct sunlight, it is not only too hot for the baby, it is also not protected from the harmful UV rays. The baby's skin is still very sensitive and has no natural protection against the harmful rays.
Do not cover the stroller with a cloth
Many parents want to protect their babies from direct sunlight and cover the stroller with a cloth. However, this has the opposite effect, as the heat cannot escape and collects inside the stroller. Due to the lack of air circulation, the temperature in a stroller covered with a cloth rises faster than without a cloth. The thicker and more airtight the cloth, the stronger the effect. To still protect your baby from the sun in the stroller, use a parasol or sun shade. This way, your baby is well protected without the heat building up.
Be careful when driving in the blazing sun and heat
There is a particular danger in the summer heat in the car. If the sun shines continuously through the windows, the temperature in the car can quickly reach over 50 degrees Celsius. To make driving in the summer heat more pleasant, the following is recommended:
- Bring enough drinks
- Dress children in light clothing such as cotton
- Protect the side windows from direct sunlight by shading them
- When parking, place a light cloth over the child seat. The dark plastic covers can become extremely hot in direct sunlight
- Never leave babies and small children alone in the car!
sunscreen and sun protection
Adequate sun protection is a must in summer. Always reapply sunscreen to children after they have been splashing around. Important: The duration of protection indicated by the SPF is not extended by reapplying sunscreen, it is only maintained. You should always have a hat with you, as this also protects against sunstroke.
What can happen to my baby if it is too hot?
Signs of overheating can include moist, hot skin, a red head, rapid, shallow breathing, restlessness and exhaustion. At the first signs, your baby should be taken to a cool room immediately.
Possible consequences of excessive heat for the organism can be sunstroke, heat exhaustion, heat collapse, heat stroke and heat cramps. The causes are usually too much direct sunlight or physical overexertion with insufficient fluid intake.
The most serious form of heat illness is heat stroke, in which the body temperature can rise above 40 degrees Celsius. Possible symptoms include disorientation, headaches and nausea, rapid pulse and hot, dry skin. If all symptoms indicate heat illness such as sunstroke, the small patient should be placed with the upper body slightly elevated and the head cooled with wet compresses.
Sunstroke:
When a baby gets sunstroke, the meninges become irritated and the brain swells. Because the skull is still very thin and usually only covered with a little hair, it is difficult to block out the radiation from outside. Babies cannot yet regulate their own body temperature, which makes them more susceptible to sunstroke.
Look out for the following symptoms: your baby has a bright red face, is restless with a rapid pulse and breathing, has a headache and may be vomiting. Sunstroke usually does not cause an increase in body temperature. Symptoms often do not appear until hours after sunbathing, usually at night.
If you notice these symptoms in your baby, first take him to a shady place. Elevate the upper body and cool the body with wet towels.
If the condition does not improve or worsens, call a doctor.
Heatstroke:
Heat stroke causes the entire body's regulation to collapse and is a serious illness.
Look for the following symptoms: your baby appears sleepy or confused, has hot and dry skin, has a bright red head and a body temperature of over 40°C.
If you notice these symptoms in your baby, call a doctor immediately. Take your baby to a cool place, lay him down and cool him with wet towels. Put the legs up and remove tight clothing. If your baby is not unconscious, give him fluids and take first aid measures.
Important: Never leave your baby alone in such cases!
Conclusion:
If you follow all the tips and have a good gut feeling when looking after your baby in the heat, then nothing will stand in the way of your first wonderful summer. Because with a little caution, a few precautions and a few little helpers, your baby will also be able to cope with the summer heat and feel comfortable. We wish you a wonderful summer.