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Keeping your baby cool in hot weather

The heat of the summer or tropical surroundings can be a risk for babies. Keeping them cool in hot weather can be a challenge.

baby-hot-weather-summer-temperature-cool Newborns especially need their temperatures regulated to make sure they are safe and healthy. In the winter we bundle them up to make sure they're warm but there's only so much you can do in a heat wave. Breastfeeding your baby can be very challenging because of the constant contact, which makes you and your baby even warmer. Here are some great tips to keep you both cool.

Breastfeeding Baby in the Heat

  • Put a light sheet such as a thin receiving blanket or pillow case between you and the baby. Skin on skin contact is no fun and can be painful when you're sticking together.

  • A cool washcloth between your arm and baby's head is very cool and refreshing for the both of you.

  • Keep lots of water on hand for mom. Exclusively breastfed babies don't need anything but breast milk (which is 80% water!) but may need to nurse more frequently for shorter amounts of time. This is so they can get only the foremilk, which is more watery thus quenching their thirst (hindmilk is creamier).

  • If your baby sleeps longer than 3 hours, it's probably a good idea to wake her up to nurse her so she doesn't get dehydrated.

  • Lay down to breastfeed. Much more comfortable for the both of you so there's more air flow between you.

  • If you're out at a park, find a nice shady area. Hopefully it'll be about 10 degrees cooler!

    Keeping Your Baby Cool

  • A cool humidifier moistens and cools the air. If you don't have a humidifier, try hanging some damp towels in the room to evaporate and have the same effect. Ensure towels are far enough away from baby in case of suffocation.

  • Bedding sheets should be at a minimum. Remove the blankets, bumpers and flannel sheets of winter. One sheet on the mattress should make him nice and cool.

  • Shut the blinds and close the curtains. Less sunlight in the room means less heat.

  • Have him sleep in nothing but his diaper (if the temperature is above 24°C, 75°F).

  • Open a window. Fresh air circulating the room, cooling things down (hopefully).

  • Use a fan but only to cool down the room before baby's ready to sleep. Fans are not safe to be directly aimed at the baby.

  • Be careful if your baby falls asleep in a stroller. The air flow isn't very effective and it can get quite hot in there.

  • NEVER leave baby to sleep in a car. Even with the windows rolled down or a door open, the temperature is drastically higher than outside.

Where would you like to visit next?

*** Exclusive breast feeding: The only water source young infants need
*** Find a cool, air conditioned nursing room near you!
*** Learn some wonderful breastfeeding holds
*** Worried about breast-feeding in public? Learn how!
*** Traveling? Learn how to breastfeed or pump in an airport



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