Protecting your baby from the weather conditions is one of the many tasks a parent must deal with. You might get the idea of what to do, but it can be tricky in the beginning, mainly because the little one cannot speak and tell if he/she is cold or hot. Still, the basic rules apply. If it is cold outside, the baby will feel cold, and if it is hot, he/she will feel hot. It all comes down to putting layers of clothing on your baby, which you can remove or add as needed.
Summertime means spending a lot more time outdoor going on walks, family gatherings, and some other social events. When you dress your baby, it is not all about whether the clothes match. The biggest concern here should be if your baby’s health and safety are protected. For example, in the summertime, you certainly don’t want your baby to overheat because you put too many clothes on her/him. Also, in the summer, there is the risk of getting a sunburn, so what you need is a balance of cool clothing and coverage to keep the baby safe.
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Dressing your little one for hot weather
Yes, you can overheat your baby in cold-weather conditions, but humid and hot days are also dangerous for the baby as they are not able to regulate their body temperature. Here are some tips on how to keep your baby protected:
When the temperatures get over 24 degrees C, a single layer is just enough, so take away the rest of the clothes. Covering your baby’s head is very important. This applies both to cold and hot weather. A lightweight hat will protect your little one from the sunlight. When it gets really hot outside, try wearing lighter clothes. The same goes for when the baby is sleeping. Except when they are sleeping, you can add one more layer like a thin sleep sack or light onesie. If you use a carrier or a sling, make sure it is made out of breathable material.
Protect your little one from the sun. Many doctors will tell you to use sunscreen on babies no matter how young they are, but the FDA does not agree with this statement, and they will tell you to wait till your baby is 6 months old to start using sunscreen. That is why your best solution is to avoid sun exposure in cold or hot weather. If you are planning to go to the beach, make sure there are shaded places to limit the exposure to the sun, this is most important at midday when the sun is the strongest. You also must protect the baby’s eyes. The market offers sunglasses with 100 % UV protection, so get one of those.
Dressing your little one for cool or warm weather
At mild temperatures, the layer rule applies perfectly. You can dress the baby in as many layers as you think is needed and then add another one if necessary. You also have to pay attention if your baby is dry. This is especially important in cold weather because wet clothing can cause hypothermia. This can happen even when the temperatures are 5 degrees C. When you are outside, please don’t forget to check your baby’s diaper frequently. The most important thing is to shield your baby from the sun no matter if he/she is in the stroller, or the car seat, or in your hands. Sunglasses and a hat are important if you cannot find shelter.
You might ask, what is the right temperature for the baby?
No matter what are the weather circumstances outside, the baby’s temperature must be between 36.5 to 38 degrees C. If the baby’s temperature is out of the normal range, it might be a sign of sickness. When it comes to the baby’s nursery, the temperature there should be around 20 degrees C or a bit higher if you notice your baby is cold. If the nursery is too hot, you are increasing the risk of SIDS, and if the temperature there is too cold, there is the risk of hypothermia. In an event when your baby is sick with fever, dress the baby in lighter clothing.
How to tell if your baby is too hot?
Here are the most common signs:
- Rapid breathing
- Flushed face
- The baby’s skin is unusually warm to the touch
You can check if the baby is cold or warm by placing the back of your hand on the back of the baby’s neck. His/her skin should feel comfortably warm. Most of the time, when the baby feels too hot, it will get very irritated and start fussing and crying. That is why you should follow our bits of advice, and you will have a happy baby. Stay away from the “grandma” advice to put unnecessary layers on your baby when it is hot. This especially goes for wearing thick socks in the summertime.
Tips for the parents
Make sure you are checking on your baby frequently to see any signs of overheating like lethargy, agitation, and hot skin. When the weather is too hot, it is best to keep your baby in the shade or indoor. When you leave your house, pack more clothing options, both cooler and warmer clothes, in case the weather conditions change and you need to change your baby.
Cautions:
If your baby is younger than 6 months, avoid applying sunscreen on him/her. Instead, you can provide shade for the bay by using canopies or umbrellas. If there is no other option and you need to apply sunscreen do a little test by applying on a small area on the baby’s skin and see how the skin will react to the sunscreen. If there are no warning signs, you can go ahead and apply the sunscreen to the baby. Use sunscreen with 15 SPF or higher.
Conclusion
It is like we are programmed to keep the baby warm at all times. But because the baby has a limited ability to regulate his temperature, it is important to keep him/her cool in the warm weather as much it is important to keep him/her warm in the cold weather.
