Heatwave, heat and sun: how to protect baby?

- Categories : Tips

Nateo CONCEPT

Protecting your child from high temperatures

Every summer, more and more French people face heatwaves or simply very hot weather. This phenomenon affects the health of the most vulnerable, especially babies and young children. During these periods, there is a whole list of good habits to have to protect babies from heat and sun.

Maman avec son bébé au coucher du soleil

Good habits in case of heat

At home, the ideal temperature is between 20° and 22°, but when the outdoor mercury rises, it's difficult to maintain this temperature indoors. Therefore, several reflexes should be adopted for babies such as:

  • Wearing light, light-coloured clothing, preferably cotton (or just a nappy on very hot days)
  • Offer a bottle of mineral water every half hour to keep baby hydrated
  • Use a fan without directing it directly at the child
  • Ventilate the car's interior and never leave a child locked inside
  • Give several baths during the day (only one with soap) with lukewarm water to prevent the baby from sweating even more afterwards
  • Cool the baby with a mist spray or a cool, damp cloth
  • Avoid going out during the hottest hours, between 12pm and 4pm
  • Favour cotton bedding in the wooden baby bed
  • Ventilate very early in the morning and close windows and shutters when the temperature rises

Advice for families with air conditioning

If the home is equipped with air conditioning, special precautions should be taken into account such as:

  • Cool the room only when the baby is not in it, they will enjoy the coolness when they return to their convertible baby bed for the night without risking excessive cold
  • Maintain the same temperature in all rooms to avoid shocks
  • In case of dry air, use an air humidifier

What about food?

Certain precautions should also be taken regarding food during a period of heat. Food preservation should be monitored even more closely. To feed baby, it is recommended to:

  • Avoid fatty and processed products (fried foods, cold meats, salty or spicy dishes, cheese, butter...)
  • Favour fresh foods, especially fruits and vegetables
  • If meat must be offered, well-cooked meat should be favoured
  • Avoid products offered by street vendors that may pose risks if poorly refrigerated
  • Always offer mineral water and regularly throughout the day

What are the problems related to heat?

Heat can have consequences on baby's well-being on several levels. The primary risk is often dehydration. It is recommended to consult a doctor quickly if the baby:

  • Suffers from diarrhoea and vomiting
  • Sleeps a lot,
  • Is difficult to wake up and whimpers
  • Shows unusual behaviour
  • Is pale with squinting eyes
  • Breathes rapidly
  • To a weight loss of more than 5%

Skin irritation is also one of the issues observed during hot periods. Skin rashes and redness increase. Water compresses can be used to relieve itching and avoid the use of creams and oils. In case of infection, it is recommended to take the child to the paediatrician.

maman et son bébé sur le sable

How to protect babies from the sun?

When temperatures allow again, we can enjoy the good weather and sunshine. However, be careful, babies under one year old have no defence against the sun. It is therefore crucial to take several precautions to protect them from UV rays, such as:

  • Avoid direct exposure and favour shade
  • Avoid outings between 12pm and 4pm
  • Prioritise wearing clothing or otherwise use SPF 50+ with a specific sunscreen for babies
  • Always make them wear a hat and sunglasses

What about mosquitoes?

The summer season is also mosquito season, and there are ways to protect the little ones. We can start by installing a mosquito net above the baby bed. The mosquito net can also be placed on the pushchair to protect the baby during walks. There are also diffusers that can be plugged into an electrical outlet with formulas suitable for the whole family.

However, the best protection remains clothing when possible. Choose long-sleeved clothing and trousers, preferably loose and made of natural materials.

Keeping baby occupied on heatwave days

Heatwave days are a bit like very cold days or rainy days. The weather is not suitable for outdoor walks and it is recommended to stay indoors, sometimes even in the dark. Depending on the child's age, you will need to find activities to occupy the day. Reading and manual activities are to be favoured to avoid getting agitated or turning on the television, which produces heat.

In the morning or late afternoon, you can consider enjoying the garden or terrace, provided you stay in the shade. You can opt for a small pool or simple games with a garden hose, for example.

If the atmosphere becomes unbearable, you can plan ahead by spending the day in a cooler place. However, be careful to cover your child sufficiently, as some places are heavily air-conditioned. You need to limit the risk of catching a cold.