How to ease the summer heat for your baby
Even though, summer days, full of sunshine, are beautiful, they can also be very challenging, especially for our little ones. Staying out in the sun too long can lead to overheating, fevers, red skin or even vomiting.
To avoid these unpleasant consequences, it's good to keep in mind a few tips that can help you handle the high temperatures of summer days with ease.
What time to go outside?
Our grandmothers always preferred to keep us indoors. It's no secret that the sun is at its strongest around 12 o'clock. Therefore, it is better to go for a walk or a playground in the morning or afternoon, when the sun is shining a little less. But also in the morning or in the evening, keep checking your little ones to make sure they are not overheated and don't forget to keep in mind i tis important to drink regularly. You can replenish drinks with foods with a higher water content, such as watermelon, strawberries, tomatoes, lettuce and many others.
Watch out for diaper rash
Summer temperatures go in hand with sweating. Sweat itself is unpleasant even for us adults, but for babies in nappies it often means diaper rash and sweat sores, which are formed mainly on parts of the body such as hips or elbow and knee sockets. It is in these folds of the body that diaper rash and sweat sores are most common. Rinse babies with a washcloth soaked in water to prevent these annoyances. A wet washcloth is also useful for cooling the baby, like a cold compress on the back of the head. In addition, if you have a garden, a baby pool is a great option, or various sprayers that can both cool and entertain the babies.
Protection from the sun rays
Be careful about covering the pram. Many mothers protect their babies from the sun and cover the stroller with, for example, a diaper, thin blanket or towel. However, in an attempt to help with the sun, they trap the baby in very high temperatures, reaching up to 50°C. You must never cover the stroller in this heat; on the contrary, it is much more comfortable for the baby if you leave the stroller open. But how do you deal with the sun rays and the stroller? A great option is to get a sun visor designed for strollers. The sun visor, when attached to the handle and the stroller, creates a screen so that the rays don't shine on the baby and the stroller can be ventilated at the same time. It is also ideal to place the stroller under a tree, which provides shade while keeping the stroller cool. Apart from the shading itself, it is of course also a good idea to protect babies from sunburn with a sunscreen.
Room temperature
Last but not least, it's a good idea to think about cooling the room in which the child sleeps. Ventilate the room in the evening or at night so that the room cools down. This advice is especially true for prefabricated houses, where the higher floors in particular hold the heat. During the day, keep the blinds drawn or use opaque curtains to protect the room from the sun rays. You can also hang wet towels around the room to keep the room cool. You can leave the children's pyjamas in the wardrobe and let them sleep in their nappy, ideally in a cot that is not overcrowded with toy animals and pillows. A fan can also be helpful, but be careful when setting it up. If it is turned directly on the baby, there is a risk that the baby could catch a cold.
To sum it up:
- Beware of lunch hours, prefer to stay in a shadow or indoors.
- Cooling, cooling, cooling! A washcloth, pool or sprays are great friends.
- Don't cover the stroller with a blanket. Choose a sun visor, umbrella or a tree instead.
- Ventilate and cool. Create a comfortable sleeping environment for your baby.
For the safety of your little ones, never leave them locked in the car, even for a few minutes. The car will overheat very quickly in the sun and can put your little ones at risk. Even for a little while, take your children with you, this way you will be sure that they will be fine.
