I can’t be the only mom who is over…heating, right?
My nine year old is obsessed with super corny jokes. The latest he is telling every single person we meet goes something like this,
“Which runs faster, heat or cold? Heat…everyone knows you can catch a cold.”
I am certain that no one finds heat as hysterical as this child. Overheating is a serious risk to our children, particularly infants, during this time of year. Here are a few quick tips that can help you lower this risk and SIDS (Sudden infant Death Syndrome) for children under 2.
• Dress baby in no more than one light layer more than would be comfortable for an adult at night. Ideal temperatures for the nursery are said to be between 68-72 degrees. When temperatures rise, infants are less responsive to external factors. They then have a harder time waking and regulating body temperatures, which is a necessary biological response.
• Keep extra bedding and blankets out of the crib! Always lay baby on their back to sleep, per the Safe Sleep Recommendations of the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics).
• If swaddling a baby under 8 weeks, a muslin blanket is a great choice for the task. There are actually more than SEVEN methods of swaddling, so one may work better for your child or situation. Swaddling is no longer recommended once baby can roll over or is older than 8 weeks.
• Do not aim a fan or air vent in the ceiling directly on the crib. The airflow may lower the temperature of the baby’s skin. This triggers an overreaction in the body temp regulation function that would raise internal temperatures of the infant unnecessarily. The inconsistent airflow may also continually wake the child out of restorative sleep.
• Do not drape a blanket over the stroller in an effort to shield baby from the sun while outdoors. This creates a sauna effect, trapping heat inside with baby. Consider skipping the blanket in your stroller to prevent baby from slipping underneath and overheating.
• Ensure babies and toddlers have sufficient hydration sources. Breastfed infants typically do not need extra fluid intake, but speak with your pediatrician to appropriately manage fluid intake otherwise. Signs of dehydration include a dry mouth/tongue, few tears and wet diapers, dark yellow urine, listlessness and sunken eyes or fontanels.
• Check carseats for excessively hot materials that may burn the skin of a child. Use safety measures to prevent leaving a child in the carseat when running quick errands.
We always want what’s best for our children and our sanity. Overheating is as much a risk during the summer as it is when our inexperienced area experiences chilly temperatures. What are your favorite tips for keeping cool this season? If you need more ideas take a look at Contributor Melanie’s tips to Beat the heat without your wallet taking the hit!
