Whether it’s hot or cold outside, you want to keep your baby comfortable in all types of weather. Protecting your baby from various elements primarily depends on preparation. At first, keeping the newest member of the family comfortable in extreme temperatures can be a little confusing. Remember that if you’re hot or cold, your baby will be hot or cold, as well, so you should dress your baby accordingly.
As a new parent, summer is no longer the carefree days of lying by the pool. You will now be more concerned about your baby’s safety in extreme temperatures. Overdress your baby, and they could develop irritating heat rashes. Put inadequate layers on your baby, and you’ll expose their fragile bodies to hot conditions, making them vulnerable to sunburn or heat stroke. These heat situations are characterized by high fevers and labored breathing.
Too much heat can also cause sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), a lethal baby sleeping disorder. “When hot, babies sleep deeply, which makes them hard to awaken. This increases the chances of sudden infant death syndrome,” explains Bruce Epstein, M.D., a pediatrician from Pinellas Park, Florida. To ensure your baby stays cool and comfortable even in the extreme summer heat, read our expert advice below.
Recognize the Effect of Heat on the Baby
When temperatures rise above 80 degrees, it becomes challenging to cool the body, especially for babies. While there is no official statement from the American Academy of Pediatricians concerning babies and overheating, experts advise that you avoid heat as much as possible.
Babies do not sweat efficiently, which is the body’s natural response to hot temperatures. This makes it easier for them to suffer a stroke than older children and adults.
Picking the Right Clothing
It’s advisable to dress your baby in lightweight and loose-fitting clothing, especially if you stay indoors. If possible, use clothes made from natural fibers, such as cotton. These have superior sweat absorption qualities compared to synthetic fibers. An excellent rule of thumb is that you dress your baby just as you are dressed. For instance, experts advise that if you are dressed in shorts and a light top, this will work for your baby, too.
When going outdoors, ensure your baby’s skin is not exposed to sunlight. Consider light-colored pants (not shorts), long-sleeved shirts, and a hat with a wide brim that shields your baby’s face. Too much sun exposure can cause sunburn and other hazardous symptoms. Additionally, resist the temptation of exposing your baby on a cloudy day since damaging sun rays can easily penetrate clouds.
Consider the following types of clothing for your little angel during hot summer months:
- Buy breathable and loose clothing. In some instances where you lack loose baby outfits, ensure that the clothing is highly breathable. Residents farther north might not consider this critical, but breathable clothing materials are a must for some hot climates.
- You do not have to cover your baby from head to toe completely, but you must be mindful of excessive sun exposure. Vitamin D is vital, especially for newborns, but consider sunburns, too.
- Don’t forget to carry layers. Even a hot summer day can quickly get chilly at dusk. Remember to bring a breathable muslin blanket to wrap your baby in case of a weather change.
- Even as you dress your baby, think about the ambient temperature. For instance, if it is very warm outside, your baby might require fewer layers, perhaps even a diaper only.
For homes with air conditioning, ensure that the system stays on all day long. While studies indicate an increased prevalence of SIDS due to overheating, there is no clear definition of overheating conditions. Thus, it’s hard to provide the perfect room temperature that follows overheating guidelines.
Do not add more layers of clothing to your baby than is necessary to keep them comfortable indoors. It’s essential to evaluate for overheating symptoms, such as excessive sweating and hot body temperature when you touch them.
Fans are a great way to complement a baby’s clothing indoors on a hot summer day, especially when placed near the baby’s crib to increase air circulation. At night and during nap times, wrap the baby in breathable materials and have the fan and air conditioning on. These conditions keep the baby cool and promote healthy sleeping habits.
Ensuring the baby is not too hot nor too cold is essential. Newborns need swaddling for comfortable sleep. Thus, parents face the issue of what to do at nighttime.
Swaddling Your Baby at Night
How do you swaddle a baby at night during hot summer weather? Here are some helpful tips.
- On a hot night, dress your baby only in a diaper, then swaddle them in a thin sheet.
- You can also swaddle your baby in extremely light muslin or cotton blankets over diapers only.
- Use mesh swaddles and breathable blankets that are capable of being wrapped tightly.
- Apply the swaddling and wrapping only on the baby’s torso and not the entire body.
- If your home lacks air conditioning, consider wetting your swaddle so that it is slightly damp.
Additional Tips for Hot Weather
We can do many activities with our babies, and on many occasions, we want them to tag along. If you are going out to temperatures reaching 90+ degrees, follow these helpful tips.
Regularly get your baby out of the baby carrier. The outside weather heat plus the heat of the baby carrier can make the infant hot within minutes. You might want to choose a carrier that is made using lightweight nylon rather than heavy denim fabric. Check if the baby’s face looks flushed. If so, remove them immediately, spray their face with water, or keep their hands and feet cool by wiping them with a wet cloth.
Ensure your baby stroller has a canopy. Some come with canopies, but if yours does not have one, buy one. A breathable shade keeps the baby cool.
Invest in a spritzer to keep your baby hydrated. You can also attach a fan to the stroller that keeps air circulating while you wander outside.
Conclusion
Babies are delicate. Since they cannot effectively express discomfort, you can gauge the baby’s state with how you feel, too. During hot weather, dress your baby in breathable, loose-fitting, and natural fiber clothing to accommodate all effects of hot weather. When indoors, ensure there is proper air circulation by using fans and keeping the air conditioning on to keep your baby comfortable even in their sleep.