Summer babies
Being pregnant in the heat of summer may be something of an ordeal, but having your baby during the summer does have many advantages – not least of which is the fact that you don’t have to shiver through those night feeds! It’s also lovely to be able to sit out in the garden with your summer baby kicking her legs in the summer sunshine. That said, you do need to take some precautions to keep your baby safe and well, since her inbuilt temperature regulation system won’t yet be working efficiently enough to keep her cool when the weather is hot.
Don't let your newborn overheat
Babies aren’t able to cope as well as adults can with increased body heat because they don’t have such a large surface area for sweat to evaporate from. On really hot days it’s best to keep your newborn indoors in the cool. As a rule, if you’re uncomfortably hot outdoors then your baby will be even more so. Lay your hand on the back of her neck or her chest to judge how cool she is – don’t be guided by how her hands or feet feel since these extremities always feel cooler than her body. If she feels hot and clammy, remove her clothes down as far as her nappy so she can cool off, and if necessary sponge her body with tepid (not cold) water.
Overheating while she sleeps is a risk factor for cot death. Do not let your baby get too hot. This means checking the central heating is not too high and that your baby has the right amount of blankets to keep her warm. Make sure her head is not covered over by blankets (put her feet to the bottom of the cot so she can’t wriggle down under the covers). If your baby is feverish, reduce her covering to help her regulate her body temperature. Read our feature on Creating a safe sleeping environment for more advice.
Keeping your baby hydrated
If you are breastfeeding your baby, offering her an extra feed or two in hot weather will ensure that she is getting enough fluids and help prevent her from becoming
dehydrated. Ask your GP about offering her a little water in between foods too. Your bottlefed baby will need additional drinks, as formula milk isn’t a complete food/drink like breast milk is – ask your GP or health visitor for guidance.
Protecting your baby from the sun
Your newborn’s delicate skin is vulnerable to the damaging ultraviolet rays of the sun. Play it safe and stay indoors between the hours of 10am and 4pm, when the sun’s rays beat down from directly overhead. If you do need to go out, dress her in loose, cool natural fibres such as cotton and ensure that her arms and legs are covered. Watch out for her tiny toes too – it’s possible for the tops of toes and the soles of her feet to get
burnt by the sun. Use a sun parasol to shelter her when she is in her buggy and be sure to angle it so that she is in the shade. If you’re sitting outdoors choose a shady spot, but keep in mind that the sun is reflected off light-coloured surfaces such as sand and concrete.
Summer car journeys
Never ever leave your newborn in your parked car even if it’s just for a moment while you pop into a shop. Not only is it illegal to leave your baby unattended, but your car will heat up very rapidly in the heat, particularly in direct sunshine and your baby could rapidly overheat. And before you buckle her into her car seat take the precaution of checking to ensure that any metal parts or exposed plastic on the seat isn’t so hot that it could burn her. If your vehicle doesn’t have tinted windows, use a detachable sunscreen on the window to protect her from sun shining into your car as you drive.
The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.
Last Modified: 07/07/2009
Related Chat
Why not join in this chat? It only takes a few moments to login or register.
Login or
Register