Sun Protection and Hot Weather Safety for Babies

Summer days are wonderful for spending time outdoors with your baby, but heat and sun can be a real burden for little ones. The UK's National Health Service (NHS) says babies and young children can get ill in very hot weather, and that dehydration, heat exhaustion, heatstroke and sunburn can seriously affect their health. This guide is based on recommendations from the NHS and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

Under 6 months, no direct sun: The NHS and the AAP recommend keeping babies under 6 months out of direct sunlight. The AAP says to find shade under a tree, an umbrella or a stroller canopy. According to the NHS, older babies should also be kept out of the sun as much as possible, especially in the summer months and between 11am and 3pm, when the sun is strongest. The AAP also reminds parents that the sun's UV rays can damage the skin and eyes and cause skin cancer, and that about a quarter of lifetime sun exposure happens during childhood and adolescence.

Clothing and hats:

• Dress your baby in light clothing and do not put on too many layers (NHS).
• Tightly woven fabrics that cover the body protect better than loosely woven ones (AAP).
• Choose a wide-brimmed hat or one with a long back that protects their head, ears and neck (NHS).
• Loose-fitting clothes and sunglasses are also among the NHS's recommendations.

Do not cover the stroller: The NHS stresses not covering your baby's stroller or carriage with a blanket, because this can cause overheating. Instead, you can attach a sunshade or parasol to the stroller. Check on your baby often to make sure they are not getting too hot.

Sunscreen: 6 months and older: The NHS recommends sunscreen with at least SPF 30 that protects against both UVA and UVB for babies 6 months and older. Sunscreens made for babies are less likely to contain additives that can irritate the skin. Apply it generously, reapply it every 2 hours and put it on again right after swimming or sweating. The AAP reminds parents to apply enough to cover all exposed areas, such as the face, nose, ears, feet and hands. It also recommends wiping your baby's eyes and hands with a damp cloth if sunscreen gets in their eyes, trying a different brand or a sunscreen containing titanium dioxide or zinc oxide if the skin gets irritated, and talking to a doctor if a rash appears.

Babies under 6 months and sunscreen: Here there is a small difference between the organizations. The NHS does not recommend sunscreen for babies under 6 months. The AAP, on the other hand, says sunscreen can be applied to small areas such as the face when shade and protective clothing are not possible. Both organizations agree that shade and clothing are the main protection.

Fluid needs (NHS):

• 0-6 months: Babies who get only breast milk do not need water until they start solids; they may want to breastfeed more often than usual in the heat. Formula-fed babies can be given a little cooled boiled water in addition to their usual formula.
• After about 6 months: Once they start solids, offer sips of water from a cup with meals; in hot weather they may also need extra water between meals.
• Throughout the first year, breast milk or formula remains their main drink.

Keep the house and sleep cool: The NHS recommends closing the curtains during the day and using a fan to move the air in the room, but not pointing the fan directly at your baby. At night, reduce clothing and bedding; your baby can even sleep in just a diaper. According to the NHS, babies sleep most comfortably when the room temperature is between 16 and 20°C (61 and 68°F). A cool bath before bed may also help.

Never leave your baby alone in the car: The NHS says babies should not be left in small enclosed spaces such as a parked car, because these heat up very quickly. According to the AAP, a child's body heats up 3-5 times faster than an adult's; cracking a window, parking in the shade or running the air conditioning barely changes the temperature inside the car. The AAP recommends:

• Check the back seat every time before you lock the car.
• Put your bag or phone in the back seat; it reminds you to look in the back when you arrive.
• Keep your parked car locked and keep the keys out of children's reach.

Know the signs: According to the NHS, signs of dehydration in a baby can include: a sunken soft spot on top of the head, sunken eyes, few or no tears when crying, fewer wet diapers than usual, and being sleepy or irritable. With heat exhaustion, there may be tiredness, heavy sweating, pale and clammy skin, a high body temperature, intense thirst and irritability; the NHS says these signs are mostly the same in adults and children.

When to see a doctor, when to call your local emergency number?

• If your baby under 1 year old gets sunburned, call your doctor right away (AAP).
• If you see signs of dehydration in your baby or they seem sleepier than usual, see a doctor urgently without waiting (NHS).
• Call your local emergency number: If there are signs of heatstroke such as a very high body temperature, hot and flushed skin that is not sweating, fast breathing and a fast heartbeat, confusion, a seizure or loss of consciousness, or if they are still not better 30 minutes after cooling them in a cool place and giving fluids (NHS).
• Call your local emergency number: If, along with signs of dehydration, their skin, lips or tongue are bluish, gray, pale or blotchy, their skin is cold, they are having trouble breathing or breathing very fast, or you are having trouble waking them (NHS).
• If you see a child left alone in a car, call your local emergency number right away (AAP).

While help is on the way, move your baby to a cool place, take off extra clothing and cool them down by wetting their skin with cool water; do not put them in ice water (NHS, AAP).

Dear mom, with shade, light clothing, plenty of fluids and a cool room, you can safely enjoy summer together with your baby. The moment you suspect something is wrong, trust your instincts and do not hesitate to ask for help.