Tips for keeping your child cool in warm weather
As the seasons change and summer begins, it can be tricky to cope with weather changes. Young children might find it difficult as babies are not able to regulate their body temperature, and toddlers are also sensitive to temperature changes.
As a parent, you will know and understand your child better than anybody. Bedtime in particular can be difficult in warm weather.
Here are a few tips for keeping your child cool on warmer days.
- When outside, keep your child out of direct sunlight as much as possible – try and find shade where you can.
- Apply sunscreen before going outside and reapply it regularly through the day. Use an SPF of 30 or higher.
- Put a hat on your child. Hats that have neck flaps are good for keeping the sun off their neck as well as their heads. Take their hat off as soon as they are back inside.
- Keep hydrated. If you are out for the day, take extra water or juice, or a refillable bottle if you are somewhere where you can top up your water. Ice lollies are also great, and fruit is a handy snack to take out with you as it has a high water content.
- Dress your child in loose cotton clothing rather than tight-fitted clothes.
- Add a clip-on parasol to your baby's pram or toddler's buggy. A sun umbrella in your garden is also great for providing shade that your child can access when playing out.
- If the temperature is cooler outside than inside the house, you could cool your child's room by opening the window, if it is safe to do so. The early morning and evening is often a good time to allow cooler air into the house. Block the sun out using lightly coloured blinds and curtains – darker ones can add heat to the room.
- If you wish to have a fan in your child’s room, keep it away from their bed and cot and make sure it is out of reach. It may be a good idea to have the fan on for a short while before they go to sleep to give air time to circulate.
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