How to Keep Your Baby Comfortable in This Hot Weather

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Mark Wealth

Oh boy, the heat! It’s phenomenal. I’m sure you’ve all heard the jokes about someone leaving the doors of Hell open or the pleas to the Sun to stop trying to win a contest where there’s none. I sweat off a bucket every night and barely get enough sleep.

We bring you helpful tips to keep your baby comfortable…

1. Windows & Curtains

In the day time, keep the windows closed and the curtains drawn so that the sun doesn’t heat up the room. Leave the fan on to cool the place. If baby is going to sleep, either switch the fan off or keep it low and turn it away from her.

2. Warm Weather Wardrobe

When you’re indoors, leave baby naked or semi naked as much as possible. Make her diapers loose or leave him naked on an open nappy.

Remove thick or waterproof beddings on her cot and if you co-sleep, do same with your bed. Depending on how hot, leave baby naked or use lightweight cotton pyjamas.

When going out, wear baby light and lose clothing with long sleeves and trousers or garments that cover her legs. This is to protect her from getting sunburn. Remember to take a change of clothes because if baby sweats profusely and you don’t change her clothes, she could get nasty heat rashes.

3. Perspiration & Hydration

Although they have sweat glands all over their body, babies below six months can only sweat on their forehead. Not withstanding, they need to be hydrated 50% more than they do when the weather is fair.

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Note that babies below six months cannot or should not drink water, so, you will have to feed them more than you do in ‘normal’ weather, whether with breastmilk or formula.

4. Schedule When You Go out

If it’s possible, if you can help it, don’t fix any appointments that will have you going out between 10 am and 2 pm. According to Dr Eric Siegfried, a dermatologist, this is when the rays of the sun are most harmful to baby’s and even your skin. If you have to, use sunscreens for baby. Note that you should apply sparingly for babies less than 6 months.

If you’re driving and baby is in his car seat, be mindful that he doesn’t fall asleep because car seats tend to be stuffy after a very short while. Carriers should not be made of thick fabric like jeans/denim.

NOTE: Never leave baby alone in a locked, hot or air conditioned car.