How to prevent your child from overheating this Summer

WOW this has been an unbelievable summer so far and its set to continue… so be prepared!

On sunny days babies under six months should never be in direct sunlight and young children should be kept in the shade as much as possible, especially between the peak times 11am and 3pm.

Attach a parasol or sunshade to the pushchair to keep baby out of direct sunlight and make sure toddlers and older children wear a sunhat, preferably one with a wide brim or a long flap at the back, to protect their head and neck.

Older babies and toddlers, particularly if they are going in and out of the water, should have their exposed skin protected by a high factor (30 or higher), water resistant sunscreen. This should be reapplied regularly throughout the day. A high factor sunscreen should be used even when there is cloud coverage, remember to re apply when playing in water.

Keep children’s nightwear and bedclothes to a minimum. If it is very warm babies can sleep in just a vest and nappy, or just a nappy with a thin sheet over them.

You can use a nursery thermometer to monitor the room temperature. Your baby will sleep most comfortably when the room is between 16°C and 20°C . But the best way to tell if a baby is too warm is to feel the back of their neck, tummy, or back underneath the clothing.