Whilst the weather has been so incredibly hot you may have noticed your baby is waking more frequently at night. Just like us adults, when your little one overheats it can make them irritable and restless. Even kids that normally sleep through all night may be waking up uncomfortably hot. So here are my top tips to keep them as cool, comfortable, and as safe as possible.
1. Make sure they are dressed appropriately based on their room temperature
Here is a guide based on your little one’s room temperature:
18-20°C – long-sleeved vest, 2.5 tog sleeping bag
20-22°C – short or long-sleeved vest, 1 tog sleeping bag
22-24°C – short-sleeved vest, 1 tog sleeping bag
24-27 °C – sleeveless vest, 0.5 tog sleeping bag
>27°C – just a nappy or at most, a 0.2 tog sleeping bag
2. Avoid using waterproof mattress covering
A waterproof mattress is a form of plastic so actually hold heat and make your baby sweat more, so its best to go for a simple cotton sheet when it's hot.
3. Keep the room ventilated
During the day open the windows in their bedroom and across the floor so that air can flow freely through. I would also recommend keeping the curtains ¾ shut to keep the sun out which can heat the room up.
4. Keep water temperature cool at bathtime
Have the bath temperature just slightly cooler than normal. You want the bath to refresh and cool them down before bedtime.
5. Keep 1-litre bottles of ice in baby's room overnight
This is a handy little trick depending on how big their room is. Through the night as the ice melts in the bottle, it will cool the air. On top of this, you can put a few bottles in front of the fan if you're using one, so that instead of just warm air circulating the room its cold air. (ice cubes in a bowl in front of the fan works in the same way).
6. Make sure they go to bed hydrated
As they are likely to lose more water due to naturally sweating more, it's important to make sure that they have gone to bed having drunk enough water. Breastfed babies are able to stay hydrated on breast milk so make sure they have had enough before bedtime.
7. Make sure bedtime routine is extra calm
A calm baby is going to go to bed a lot more easily so keep the process fairly short (approx. 20mins) and super relaxing. They could be more irritable so the calmer you keep bedtime the calmer they will be.
8. When they wake in the night offer them comfort and check they are not too hot
If they wake and you find they are hot, then wet a flannel with cold water and dab their head, face and feet to cool them down.
Head here for more information on creating a safe sleep environment for your baby.
