Babies and young children should be watched carefully during hot weather. They can quickly lose body fluids through perspiring, which can lead to dehydration. They need to drink regularly, wear light clothing and be kept cool.
Warning signs of dehydration
Dehydration may be a risk if your child:
- Is not eating or drinking
- Is sleepy
- Is irritable or crying
- Has fewer wet nappies
- Has hot and dry skin
- Has a dry mouth
- Has a body temperature near 40°C
- Vomits or has diarrhoea
- Has a rise in temperature.
If you notice one or more of these signs, take your child to a doctor or hospital.
Offer frequent drinks to avoid dehydration
- Breastfeeding – if you are breastfeeding, feed your baby more often. Have plenty of fluids yourself including a cool drink at every feed.
- Bottle feeding – if you are bottle feeding, offer extra cool boiled water after the bottle.
- Small children – give young children regular drinks during the day. Water is best.
Sick children need special care
Sick children need special attention in hot weather. Even minor illnesses, such as colds or gastro, need
special care in hot weather. These illnesses often lead to a slight rise in temperature by themselves but,
in hot weather, this could lead to a risk of dehydration. Frequent breastfeeding and extra drinks are very
important if your baby is ill.
Keep children cool
It is often better to stay indoors on a hot day. If you must go outside:
- Dress your baby in a nappy, a light top and a well-fitting sun hat.
- Use baby sunscreen and reapply it regularly during the day (SPF15 is best).
- Don’t use zinc cream instead of sunscreen on your baby’s face, arms or legs. For children under six months, it might cause a reaction to their skin. Excessive use of zinc cream also stops the body absorbing the vitamin D from sunlight, which is required for strong bones.
- Take plenty of drinks for your child.
- Keep in the shade.
To cool hot little bodies, try frequent lukewarm baths or sponge them down with a cool washer.
Keep children cool when they sleep
Your children will sleep more comfortably if you:
- Let them sleep in the coolest place in the house (the passageway at night or the floor during the day) but make sure any pets are outside.
- Make sure the air can circulate around them – for example, by removing any padding around the cot.
- Don’t leave babies to sleep in a pram – they can be hot and airless.
- Hang wet towels over chairs or windows to cool the air.
- Use fans, but not directed at the child.
- Cover mattresses and waterproof sheets with thick layers of cotton and sheets to absorb perspiration and prevent prickly heat rash.
- Avoid using a pillow or mattress that lets your baby sink down into it.
Take care in the car
If you need to go out in the car in hot weather:
- Try to make trips in the coolest part of the day.
- Keep the windows open while the car is moving or use the air conditioner.
- Never leave babies or young children alone in a car, no matter what the weather. Even in mild weather, cars quickly become too hot for small children.
Where to get help
- Your doctor
- 24-hour Maternal and Child Health Telephone Service Tel. 132 229
- Hospital emergency departments.
- Nurse-on-Call Tel. 1300 606 024 – for expert health information and advice (24 hours, 7 days)
Things to remember
- Babies overheat quickly in hot weather.
- Give babies and young children extra drinks in hot weather.
- Dress them in cool clothing and use sunscreen.
- Let them sleep in the coolest room in the house.
- Never leave children in the car.
You might also be interested in:
Baby care - safety issues.
Child safety - at home.
Child safety - bikes.
Child safety - playground equipment.
Child safety - reducing injuries.
Child safety in the car.
Fever.
Fever - children.
Fever - febrile convulsions.
Heat stress and heat-related illness.
Heat stress and sport - reducing the risks.
Heat stress – preventing heat stroke.
Water - a vital nutrient.
Want to know more?
Go to More information for support groups, related links and references.
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