As we move into the warmer months, and ahead of the hot weather forecast , it is important to remember the safer sleep messages.
Don’t forget, the six steps to safer sleep still apply in hot weather!
The Lullaby Trust advise:
- If your trip involves long drives, stop for regular breaks so you can check on your baby, take them out of the car seat and let them stretch and move around. Ideally, have an adult in the back seat with your baby or, if you’re travelling alone, use a mirror to keep an eye on them.
- One of the most important parts of baby summer safety is keeping babies cool in hot weather. Babies that get too hot have a greater risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), so it’s essential to keep them cool enough
- Don’t cover prams, buggies and travel systems with blankets, cloths or any cover that stops the air flowing. They risk the baby getting too hot, and mean you can’t see if they’re having difficulties or monitor their temperature as easily.
- Our top tip – use a clip-on sunshade or parasol. This will keep your baby shaded while allowing air to circulate, and give you a clear view of your baby.
- Check your baby regularly to see if they’re getting too hot by feeling their chest or the back of their neck.
- Keep babies out of direct sunlight as much as possible.
When the weather is hot, it’s important to make sure that babies have plenty of fluids.
- If you’re solely breastfeeding your baby, they don’t need any extra water until they start eating solid food. But during hot weather, they may want to breastfeed more than usual.
- Once they start eating solid foods, they will need extra water.
- If you formula feed your baby, as well as their usual milk feeds, you can give your baby a little cooled boiled water. If they wake at night, they’ll probably want milk. If they have had their usual milk feeds, try cooled boiled water as well.
More information can be found here – Hot weather | The Lullaby Trust.
