How to keep your baby cool at night during a heatwave in the UK
IT'S important to keep your baby as cool as possible, especially during the warmer months, as they can't regulate their body temperature very well.
Here are some top tips to help your little one sleep easy in warm temperatures.
How to keep your baby's room cool in a UK heatwave
Ensuring your baby sleeps safely in hot weather is essential, and during times of extreme heat, bedroom temperatures can rocket, reaching above 30 degrees.
We spoke to maternity nurse and sleep consultant Abi Thompson - a mum-of-three and managing director of - to get her top tips for keeping your little ones cool at night.
Abi said: "Babies can't manage their temperatures as well as an adult can.
"Nor can they let us know if they are too hot or too cold, so we need to follow their symptoms and dress them correctly to avoid dehydration.
"All babies are different but you should be regularly checking them for overheating by touching the back of their neck, not checking hands or feet, which are always cooler."
How can you monitor the temperature in the bedroom?
You can install a thermometer to keep track of rising heat levels in your baby's room.
Abi explained: "One of my top buys is the . It is an accurate way of reading the temperature of your baby’s room.
"In the UK, temperatures can change rapidly so regularly check it throughout the night.
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"Also make sure you open the windows and partially close the blinds several hours before nap time and bedtime. This helps to stop the room from heating up in direct sunlight but still allows the flow of air.
"A fan will keep the air moving through the room and create a very welcome breeze.
"Bottles of frozen water in front of the fan will help to cool the room down quicker."
What should a baby wear when it is hot?
Abi suggests putting your baby in nothing but a nappy when temperatures are above 27 degrees, both day and night.
For temperatures between 24 and 27 degrees, she advises a short-sleeved vest and a 0.5 tog sleeping bag.
She explained: "I am a big fan of sleeping bags. They are available in numerous tog ratings, from 3.5 tog to 0.5 tog. The latter is useful for hot weather.
"As the temperature fluctuates you may need to remove it, or add more layers.
"And don’t be afraid to disturb your baby’s sleep – keeping them safe is the priority."
Abi's top tips for keeping babies cool
- Use a room thermometer to keep a regular eye on the temperature
- Safe bedtime clothes - she recommends a 0.5 tog sleeping bag
- A cooler bath than usual before bed
- Open windows and keep blinds partially down – Make sure you do this several hours before nap time and bedtime. Keeping the blind partially down helps to stop the room heating up in direct sunlight but still allows the flow of air.
- Use a fan
- Increase their fluid intake
- Check them regularly, taking their temperature from the back of their neck
- Don’t be afraid to disturb your baby’s sleep – keeping them safe is the priority
Before bed, Abi recommends giving your baby a cooler-than-normal bath during a heatwave.
She said: "Your baby will be sweaty and clammy as sweating is babies’ natural way to regulate their temperature."
Abi explained that babies may also need to up their fluid intake during hot weather periods,
breast milk or formula, as water can prove dangerous to their underdeveloped kidneys, doctors have warned.
But over six months, babies can take small sips of water, Abi said.
She said: "Breast milk is as hydrating as water, so no additional water is required for breastfed babies, though they may need increased feeds.
"Formula-fed babies should be offered cooled boiled water in excessive heat. I try not to do this too close to a feed (within 30 minutes) so that they still feel hungry for their milk feeds.
"It is also important to note that strict feeding regimes are not important at this time.
"Babies need lots of fluids on demand. I have been recommending dream feeds (feeding baby whilst asleep) to parents who are struggle to get fluids into their babies."
Abi added: "What is essential to note is this is just a guide. As ever, my advice is just that - advice - to help guide a parent when making decisions for their own baby."