Hot weather can affect your baby or child because their bodies cannot adjust to changes in temperature like adults do. Babies and children sweat less, reducing their bodies’ ability to cool down, and they generate more heat during exercise than adults. They are at risk of overheating and developing a heat-related illness. Heat can also make existing illnesses worse.
Things to remember
- Babies and children overheat and dehydrate quickly in hot weather
- Breastfeed or bottle-feed your baby more often in hot weather
- Offer older babies and children extra drinks in hot weather, the best drink is water
- Dress babies and children in cool clothing and protect them from the sun with hats and sunscreen
- Never leave children in the car, not even for a moment
Travelling with a baby in hot weather
If you need to travel by car in hot weather try to make the trip in the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the early morning. Make sure your baby is in the shade in the car when you are travelling and keep the car cool using the air conditioner or opening the windows.
Remember to never leave a baby alone in a parked car. Even in mild weather cars can become very quickly too hot for babies.
ALERT!
If you think your baby is suffering from the heat – that is, looks unwell, is refusing to drink, has a lot fewer wet nappies than usual or is vomiting – see a doctor or call healthdirect Australia to speak to a registered nurse on 1800 022 222.
Outdoors
- If possible, keep your children inside, particularly during the hottest parts of the day, generally between 11am and 5pm. Plan your activities for early morning, late afternoon or evenings.
- If you have to go out, protect your baby’s or child’s skin from the sun (keep them in the shade or cover their skin with loose clothing and a broad-brimmed hat). Use small amounts of sunscreen with SPF 30+ on skin which cannot be covered.
- If your child does a lot of outdoor activities and exercise, take regular breaks and provide plenty of fluids.
Cars
Never leave babies, children or pets alone in a car, not even for a moment. Babies and children can overheat very quickly in cars. The temperature inside a parked car can be 30-40°C hotter than outside the car. Most of the temperature increase occurs within five minutes of closing the car and having the windows down 5 cm causes only a very slight decrease in temperature.
Never cover a baby capsule in the car with a rug or towel as this will restrict air moving around the baby, making them hotter. Use sun shades on windows.
When planning a longer car journey, try to travel in the cooler hours of the day, dress your child lightly and provide plenty of cool water during the journey.
Prams and strollers
Only cover your baby’s pram or stroller with a light cloth that still allows the air to circulate. An enclosed pram can get very hot; try to ensure that the air circulates around your baby by removing the back panel (if possible) or placing them in more open strollers.
Other tips for hot weather
Keep in mind that some prescribed medications can increase the risk of heat-related illness. Also, some medications can be less effective or more toxic when exposed to and stored in high temperatures. Most medications need to be stored below 25°C or in the fridge if indicated. Please see the labels or ask your local pharmacist.
Some ideas about food in hot weather
- A refreshing idea for young children is to freeze fruit pieces (orange quarters, watermelon).
- Give more frequent but smaller meals, offer chilled food items and minimise hot food.
https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/babies-hot-in-weather
http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/beattheheat/Pages/babies-children-hot-weather.aspx
