Guest Blog:
How to Protect Your Baby From Extreme Heat This Summer

Protecting your baby from extreme heat is crucial, especially during the summer months, when temperatures can soar. Here’s how to keep your little one protected from excessive heat indoors and outdoors.

Protecting Your Baby Outdoors

Take advantage of these tips to keep your newest addition safe and comfortable outdoors.

Dress Your Baby Appropriately

Dress your baby in lightweight, breathable clothing that allows for good airflow. Avoid dressing them in heavy or dark clothing that can absorb heat, opting for light-colored, loose-fitting clothes made of natural fibers like cotton or linen instead.

A hat with a wide brim can help protect your baby's face and head from direct sunlight. Choose one made of breathable material like straw or canvas. Sunglasses can also help protect your child's eyes from UV rays — look for ones that block 99%–100% of UVA and UVB radiation.

Keep Your Baby Hydrated

Breast milk or formula is essential to keep your baby hydrated. They can have a bit of water if they’re older than six months. If your little one is older than one, you can give them an electrolyte solution like Pedialyte to keep them adequately hydrated.

You can also make water or milk popsicles to cool them down if necessary. Avoid giving your baby juice or sugary drinks, as they can dehydrate them further.

Stay Under the Shade

Whenever possible, seek shade for your baby. Set up a canopy or umbrella at the beach or park. If you're walking, try to stay under tree cover or use a stroller with a hood. Even if you’ve set up a kiddie pool to keep your baby cool, ensure it’s under shade and keep checking the water temperature.

Try to avoid taking your newest family member outside during peak sun hours — usually between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. If you must go out, take extra precautions to protect their skin.

Apply Sunscreen

While it's important to protect your baby's skin from the sun, be cautious about using sunscreen on infants under six months. Instead, use physical sunblock's like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.

For older babies, choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen for kids with SPF 30+ and reapply every two hours, or after swimming or sweating. Apply sunscreen under their clothes, too. Although clothing can prevent sunburn, the average cotton t-shirt doesn’t have enough SPF to be fully protective.

Monitor Temperature and Humidity

Before heading outside, check the temperature and humidity levels to avoid exposing your baby to extreme temperatures. Dress them accordingly and consider using a thermometer to monitor their body temperature. Take regular breaks in cool, shaded areas.

Keep yourself up to date with weather forecasts and heat warnings in your area. Plan indoor activities on sweltering days and avoid strenuous outdoor activities that can cause your baby to overheat. If they start showing signs of heat exhaustion, seek medical attention immediately.

Be Mindful of Heat Exhaustion

Heat exhaustion can happen quickly, especially in young children. Watch for symptoms like excessive sweating, fussiness, dizziness, pale or clammy skin, fast heartbeat, and shallow breathing.

If you notice any of these signs, move your baby to a cooler area, remove excess clothing and provide sips of cold liquid. If their condition worsens, call emergency services.

Protecting Your Baby Indoors

Here are some effective ways to keep your little one happy indoors.

Let Your Baby Walk Around in Diapers and Give Cool Baths

If it’s too hot, a diaper is enough to dress your baby. You can also use a wet cloth to wipe their skin gently and help lower their body temperature. Alternatively, give your baby regular cool baths throughout the day. Ensure the water isn't too cold, as this can cause them to shiver, raising their temperature.

Apply a Window Treatment and Use Shades or Blinds

Close curtains or blinds during the hottest parts of the day to block out direct sunlight and prevent the room from overheating. You can also install window films to reduce the heat entering through windows.

Be careful to install short curtains or shutters to prevent your baby from pulling at strings or fabric. Layering your window coverings can help improve insulation in the nursery, keeping the colder air in and the baking heat out.

Keep the Room Temperature at a Comfortable Level

Use a thermometer to monitor the room temperature. The ideal reading for babies is between 68–72° Fahrenheit or 20–22° Celsius. If possible, use a fan or air conditioner to maintain comfort — just make sure it isn’t facing your baby directly to prevent dehydration. If you have another room in the house that’s cooler than the nursery, let them sleep there to avoid overheating.

Add More Houseplants

Plants are a simple approach to keeping your home cooler in extreme temperatures. They’re also excellent interior design pieces. Place a few around the room on high shelves to refresh any room.

Be mindful of the types of plants you choose. Go for baby-safe varieties like spider plants, which are among the best air purifiers and easy to care for. You can also grow any plant from the Echeveria family, African violets and the baby’s tears plant.

Practice Safe Sleep Habits

Ensure your baby sleeps safely by following guidelines such as placing them on their back, using a firm mattress, and keeping soft bedding and objects out of their crib. Use a cotton fitted sheet to prevent them from getting entangled while they sleep. This will help avoid the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, which can occur more frequently in hot weather.

Keep Your Baby Cool This Summer

Always err on the side of caution when it comes to protecting your baby from extreme heat. They’re much more fragile than you, so they need a little extra attention in harsh weather. Whether indoors or outdoors, these guidelines ensure your little one stays safe and healthy even during the hottest times of the year. Keep them in mind when the temperatures start to rise.

About The Author:

Rose Morrison is a home living writer with over five years experience. She is the managing editor of Renovated.com, a home living site where she loves to cover home renovations and decor to inspire everyone to live their best DIY life. When she isn't writing, you'll find her baking something to satisfy her never-ending sweet tooth.