You might not have noticed because you’ve been too busy drowning in sweat, but there has been a recent heatwave in the UK.
But how do we protect and comfort our babies in such heatwave temperatures?
Here are six tips from The Sleep Nanny (Lucy Shrimpton) on how to do just that…
Dress your baby appropriately for the room temperature
If the room is very hot, for example over 25 degrees for most of the night, just a nappy and thin cotton vest may suffice. And if the room is between 20-23 degrees a shortie baby grow or shorts and t-shirt pyjamas perhaps with socks or just a nappy and a 1 tog sleep sack. However, if your baby is too young for any kind of bedding and it is too hot for a sleep sack, simply dress them in suitable clothing for the room temperature so that no covering is required.
Get a room thermometer
This way you know what temperature you are dealing with in a heatwave. It will take away the guesswork and give you peace of mind that you have dressed your baby suitably.
Give them a quick, refreshing bath
A luke-warm bath or slightly cooler bath than usual might help to refresh your baby before bedtime and relieve any clamminess. Make it a quick bath so that she doesn’t get too chilly.
Keep some water refrigerated
Your baby may need to drink more than usual. Cold water is great for this. So for young babies it is worth cooling some billed water and refrigerating it for night time use. Breastfed babies will stay hydrated on breastmilk.
Give electric fans a helping hand
Electric fans will often just blow the warm air around. So place a large bowl of ice or some frozen water bottles in front of the fan. This will cool the air that circulates the room.
Consider moving rooms
If you cannot keep your baby cool in her own room, consider moving temporarily them to a cooler room in the house.
