Picture it: It’s a beach day and you’ve managed to wrestle your baby out of the carseat and gotten them all strapped in and situated in the stroller, grabbed all the beach gear from the car, and are just about to hoof it across the sand when you see that both you and baby have sweat through your shirts. Yup, on hot days your baby can feel the heat even more than you do, and it’s important to try every trick in the book to help them stay cool—and safe from the sun.
Keeping your baby comfortable might even ensure they sleep better. In fact, Nanit Lab studied the impact of high temperatures on infant’s sleep, and found that when the heat rose, so did interrupted and fragmented sleep, as well as parental visits during the night. With that in mind, try these tips—during both the day and night—to beat the heat and enjoy the summer.
1. Keep them out of the sun
If you’re going to be at the beach or in the park, bring along your own shade in the form of a pop-up tent. It provides UV protection, as well as a buffer from the wind and the ground. (It’s also perfect for keeping your curious baby from munching fistfuls of sand or grass.) Or, if you’re out walking and wearing your baby, you can also bring an umbrella to shade the baby.
2. Track their room temp
When your baby is home, use your Nanit Pro Camera or Sound + Light to track the temperature and humidity settings in your baby’s sleep space, so that you can create a better sleep environment. After all, a comfortable baby is a happy baby who sleeps better—which means so will you.
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3. Dress in light layers
Dress your infant in loose-fitting, lightweight garments, preferably made from a natural fiber like cotton or linen, which absorbs perspiration better than synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon.For the outdoors, ensure that you have clothes —or enough shade—so that your baby’s arms and legs aren’t exposed to the sun. At night, opt for a lightweight sleep sack designed to help your baby stay cool, especially if the air conditioning is pumping. The one from Nanit has a custom-designed pattern that works with the Nanit Pro Camera’s patented computer vision technology to safely detect your baby’s breathing motion.
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4. Add a fan for ventilation
Because babies don’t perspire effectively, they can become overheated faster than we do, even when you might not think the temperature is all that oppressive. You can get a little clip-on fan to add to your car seat or stroller bar so when you’re loading them in the car or strolling around they take the breeze with them everywhere.
5. Swap out your baby carrier
Baby-wearing can be a super-sweaty endeavor when it’s extra hot outside, but sometimes you still need to tote them around on your body. The carrier you use in the winter may be a bit heavy—especially if the fabric is thick. Look for a lightweight material like cotton or bamboo, and one that dries quickly.
6. Pamper sweaty skin
If you notice red bumps on their neck or groin area or in the creases at their elbows, it may be a heat rash, which is common but relatively harmless. Adding balm to chafing zones can prevent further irritation. To help soothe inflamed skin, give a bath or use a cool washcloth to remove sweat.
7. Help with hydration
Infants typically stay well-hydrated with their usual breastmilk or formula-feeding schedule. In addition, babies older than six months can be offered water to drink on top of milk. While they may not always take it at first, be sure to offer sips regularly.
8. Cover sensitive spots
A sun hat on a baby isn’t just ridiculously adorable, it will help shade tender heads and ears from harsh rays. And don’t forget about baby’s eyes: these tiny Babiator glasses may be mini but they do a mighty job of protecting your baby’s eyes.
