Expert Advice: How to Keep a Baby Safe During Heat Waves

The Basics: The Risks of Hot Weather

• Babies and young children are more prone to heat-related illnesses because of their inability to regulate their body temperature.

• Hot weather and extreme heat can be especially dangerous for babies and young children, as they can quickly become overheated.

• Extreme heat can cause things like dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke in infants.

• Because babies have a higher metabolic rate than older children and adults, they generate more internal heat.

How Can Families Prepare for Extreme Heat

Parents should always keep an eye on forecasts from the Bureau of Meteorology, including its heatwave warning service.

If you're planning to be out and about during a heat wave, plan ahead to avoid or reduce your baby’s exposure to heat. Stock up on supplies, such as cool water, breast milk, and light, loose clothing. If you're going somewhere, look up whether there are buildings with air conditioning or places away from direct sunlight where your baby can rest.

Consider purchasing an air conditioner or fan to keep your home cool, or plan to sleep in a room of your house that has cooler air than the baby's nursery during very hot times.

Keeping Your Baby Cool During Hot Weather

Dress your little ones in light, loose clothing and stay indoors on very hot days, especially if you have a newborn.

Use a fan or air conditioner to keep your house cool, especially in areas where your baby spends most of their time. Pay attention to your baby's sleep environment as well.

If you are outdoors, offer your baby extra drinks, such as breast milk or formula, to stay hydrated. If your baby is old enough, you can also offer water. Toddlers can have water or diluted fruit juice to help them stay cool on warm days.

At the end of the day, give your baby a cool bath or sponge bath to help lower their body temperature. Older children can take a cool shower or a bath with lukewarm water for the same effect.

Safety Precautions For Families Of Young Children

Outdoor Safety

If you plan on spending time outside this fall (as many families do), keep these suggestions in mind:

Avoid taking your baby or toddler outside during the hottest part of the day (usually late morning to mid-afternoon). Use a stroller with a canopy or umbrella to protect your baby from any direct sunlight. You can also use a clip-on stroller fan to help keep children cool.

Remember to apply sunscreen to your baby’s face, neck, and back of hands if they are old enough for sunscreen. Dress your baby or toddler in light, loose clothing and a wide brimmed sun hat. This is especially helpful babies younger than 6 months old, who are too young to wear sunscreen.

Don't leave babies where the sun's rays make direct skin contact for too long. Encourage your older baby or toddler to drink water, and always pack a water bottle. Seek shade or a cool area as much as possible.

Car Safety

Heat stress can be made even worse by a stuffy car on a hot day. Here are some tips for keeping your baby safe in a vehicle during a heat wave.

• Never leave your baby or toddler in a car alone (even for a short time!) as the temperature inside can quickly rise to dangerous levels.

• Use sunshades on the windows to protect your baby from direct sunlight.

• Keep your car well-ventilated with cool air and use the air conditioning.

• Roll down car windows before you get in, to let some of the hot air out.

• Consider using a window shade to keep the sun out of your baby's eyes.

• If you have a toddler, make sure they can drink plenty of fluids, keeping a water bottle in the car for them.

• Keep wet towels on hand to cool off a warm baby.

Sleep Safety

Sleep can be affected by a scorching heat index as well.

• Keep your baby’s bed in a cooler, well-ventilated room and use blackout curtains or blinds to block out direct sunlight.

• Open windows in the baby's room at night.

• Try a lukewarm bath before bed.

• If your baby is feeling hot, use a fan or air conditioner to keep the room cool, especially during hot days.

• Use cotton sheets or waterproof sheets in the crib.

• Wipe your baby's face with a damp cloth before bed.

• Monitor the temperature of your baby's room, in case you need to let them sleep somewhere else in the house that is cooler.

Recognizing and Treating Heat-Related Illness

Heat-related illness can be very dangerous for babies and young children.

Check your baby’s temperature by placing your hand on their chest or back, as their hands and feet may feel cooler than their body. Look for signs of heat exhaustion, such as excessive sweating, followed by decreased sweating as heat stress progresses towards heatstroke.

If you suspect your baby has been exposed to too much sun and heat, move them to a cool, shaded area and provide cool water to drink. Don't wait too long when it comes to caring for babies and children who may be affected by heat stress - contact their doctor right away.

Signs that your child has had too much heat exposure include:

• Heat rash

• Heat cramps/muscle spasms

• Irritability

• Excessive sleepiness

• Rapid breathing

• Cool and blotchy hands and feet

• Sunken soft spot

• No tears when crying

Additional Tips For Parents To Keep In Mind

Offer breastfed babies extra breast milk to stay hydrated, and formula-fed babies may take less milk at a feed during the heat of the day. Breastfeeding mothers should make a point to offer milk more often than usual for their little ones. Monitor your baby’s urine output and look for signs of dehydration, such as fewer wet diapers.

Keep your baby’s skin cool and dry, and avoid using cold water for a bath. You can use a damp cloth to cool them down on a warm day. Consider visiting a public space, like a shopping mall or a friend’s home with air conditioning, if your home is too hot.