Tips for keeping safe in the sun and heat with babies and toddlers

Babies and toddlers can become poorly in hot weather: even as an ‘experienced’ mum I have found myself nursing our youngest for heat stroke. Each time was different but could probably have been avoided. Here are some tips on keeping babies and toddlers hydrated and safe in the sun and heat.

1. Avoid dehydration. In hot weather we obviously lose more fluid and this needs to be topped up, especially for babies and young children as they have low body weight and are more sensitive to water loss.  If you are breast feeding then the NHS guidelines state that you do not need to give babies water, they do suggest upping the amount of times you feed though. If you do want to give a little water then you could give boiled cooled water on a tea spoon or I used to use a medicine syringe from the Calpol box. If you are bottle feeding then it is suggested to give extra fluid. If you have a fussy feeder you could opt for the spoon or medicine syringe just to keep drip feeding them fluid. Freddie became dehydrated when he was about 5 months old, he had a temperature and was generally unwell, and it is something that is easily avoided and we missed the signs.

2. Avoid heat stroke and heat exhaustion. Children under two are more susceptible to heatstroke and heat exhaustion but I would still maintain the following for older children too.  Stay out of sun from 11am to 3pm and babies under six months should not be in direct sunlight. Keep children in the shade as much as possible using hats, sunscreen, parasols for buggies, sun shades for cars etc. Keep children hydrated by offering extra fluids and food with high water content such as fruit.  Play in the water, paddling pools, swimming pools, sprinklers or even just in a cool bath or shower. Keep bedrooms cool by closing curtains / blinds so that sunlight is not heating it up and if you do not have air conditioning invest in a fan. 

3. Skin safe. Keep babies out of direct sunlight at all times as their skin doesn’t have enough melanin to provide any protection (the pigment that gives skin, hair and eyes colour). Use a good sun cream with a high factor (NHS website suggests SPF of at least 15 but I would opt for full protection and use a sunscreen specifically designed for your child’s age probably with a SPF of 50). Another way of staying safe in the sun is to dress your little one in special clothing with a SPF protection. We are big fans of the Konfidence range. As with above keep out of the sun between the hours of 11 and 3 if possible as this is when it is at its strongest. I generally let the kids have half an hour or so in the sun early in the morning before I add sunscreen just so they have had a bit of vitamin D.

Whether you are at home or on holiday remember to stay safe in the sun and heat using these basic tips: keep hydrated and use a good sunscreen (make sure it is water proof if you are in and out of water), stay out of direct sunlight in the hottest part of the day, wear hats, keep bedrooms cool and keep some paracetamol with you, just in case…