How to keep your little one safe during the summer heat
When the hot summer months are upon us, our worrying parenting brains start to speculate whether or not our children are safe in the summer heat. However, there is no need to worry; in this blog post we will give you our 8 best tips on how to protect your child in the summer heat.
1. DON’T FORGET THE SUNSCREEN – ALSO IN THE SHADE
Smear your child thoroughly in sunscreen, even if he or she stays in the shade. The rule to remember is ‘one handful of sunscreen for one body’. The sunscreen must be waterproof, and it must be broad-spectrum, which means that it must protect against both UVA and UVB radiation. Always remember to apply sunscreen to your child when he or she has been in the water or has been dried with a towel.
These are the three important S’s during the summer heat: Sunscreen, shade, and sun hat.
2. FORGET THE PRAM AND TAKE A NAP INSIDE
It can get very hot and low in oxygen in a pram, and your child can therefore quickly overheat – even when the pram is in the shade. It is also important to point out that you should never hang a cloth/swaddle/blanket in front of the pram’s opening in the summer heat, as the temperature inside the pram rises quickly. So let your child nap inside instead to avoid the harmful rays and overheating, and make sure that the bedroom has a cool temperature so your child can sleep safely.
3. OFFER YOUR CHILD PLENTY OF FLUIDS FREQUENTLY
When it’s really hot, it’s important that children are offered plenty of fluids during the day. Make sure you always have a drinking cup with water close to you, so that your child always has the opportunity to take a little to drink once in a while – possibly add frozen berries or orange slices, so the water gets a bit of flavor and is more interesting for your child.
4. LET YOUR CHILD MANAGE ITS OWN NEED FOR BREASTFEEDING
If you let your child regulate its need to breastfeed in the summer heat, your child will be well covered in terms of fluid balance. You should therefore only breastfeed your child when it seeks the breast itself and seems eager to suckle. Breast milk consists of several different parts, and the first part of the milk is watery, which is why your child will often breastfeed more frequently, but for a shorter time, because it is their completely natural way to get the thirst-quenching milk.
5. INCLUDE TASTY MEALS AND A LITTLE EXTRA SALT IN THE MEAL PLAN
In both children and adults, the appetite is often reduced when it is hot. This means that we generally do not eat as much as usual, and therefore it is important that your child is offered nutritious food to cover its basic needs. Porridge or oatmeal with milk can be good choices in the summer heat, because this way your child gets good fiber and extra liquid. Also, watery fruits and vegetables, such as different types of melon, oranges, kiwi, tomato, and cucumber can be a good idea to serve for your child. For the older children it can also be a good idea with some crackers or chips when the heat is baking. Salt helps bind fluid, and normally we have to cut down on salt intake, but when it’s really hot, salty snacks can help with the fluid balance in the body.
6. CHOOSE LOOSE COTTONWEAR
Dress your child in loose and tightly woven cotton clothes that have been washed a few times. It often provides better protection than brand new clothes. However, plenty of sunscreen is still needed on the parts of the body where the clothes do not cover. Protect your child’s head with a sun hat that goes well down the neck, and avoid the strong midday sun between 12 and 3 p.m.
7. CHECK THE DIAPER REGULARLY
It is important to keep an eye on your child’s urination. If your child’s urine is yellow, smelly, and concentrated, or if the child does not urinate nearly as much as usual, this may be a sign that he or she is lacking fluids. You can also keep an eye on whether your child seems tired and lethargic, has dry lips, complains of a headache, nausea or feels dizzy, as these symptoms can also be important signs of dehydration.
8. CHECK YOUR CHILD'S TEMPERATURE MORE OFTEN
It is important to feel and assess your child’s temperature many times during the day. Feel your child’s neck, and if it is sweaty here, he or she is too hot and needs to take some clothes off. If your child’s neck seems cold, he or she may need to wear a thin sweater.
