Keeping Kids and Pets cool in the Summer Heat
July 29th, 2019
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With temperatures reaching a record-breaking 38.5ºC in the UK this last few weeks, it has once again raised the question what can we do to best protect babies and young children plus our beloved pets in a heatwave....
Think cool!
There are three key factors to remember when thinking about how to keep your baby comfortable in a heatwave...
dehydration
heat exhaustion/sunstroke
sunburn
If you have a young baby – under six months- they should not be taken out in the direct sun and you should avoid going out with older babies/toddlers between the hours of 11.00 – 15.00 which is when the sun is at its hottest in the UK. If you do go out with your baby, ensure that they are well protected by a sun parasol clipped to their buggy like this one we found at Etsy > Click Here to Buy
dehydration
heat exhaustion/sunstroke
sunburn
If you have a young baby – under six months- they should not be taken out in the direct sun and you should avoid going out with older babies/toddlers between the hours of 11.00 – 15.00 which is when the sun is at its hottest in the UK. If you do go out with your baby, ensure that they are well protected by a sun parasol clipped to their buggy like this one we found at Etsy > Click Here to Buy
Keep their fluid intake up!
If you have a young baby who you are breast feeding, you may well find that they shout for a more frequent feed – which is prompt by thirst rather than hunger. Definitely meet their requests to feed more often, but make sure that you are really looking after yourself and keeping rehydrated. If you are bottle feeding your baby and they start to shout between meals, they are probably very thirsty so try giving them boiled, cooled water in between meals.
Once babies have passed the six month threshold, they can be tempted to drink more by offering them a pure unsweetened fruit juice mixed 50-50% with previously boiled water....apple seems to be the winner in the fruit juice stakes!
Young children love ice lollies too and you can easily make your own from unsweetened fruit juice and these will prove really popular
Once babies have passed the six month threshold, they can be tempted to drink more by offering them a pure unsweetened fruit juice mixed 50-50% with previously boiled water....apple seems to be the winner in the fruit juice stakes!
Young children love ice lollies too and you can easily make your own from unsweetened fruit juice and these will prove really popular
Light clothing and good sunscreen
Young children should be really lightly dressed in hot weather. A white or light-coloured rather than dark tee-shirt is perfect and a cool wide brimmed hat.
This one is super cute > Click Here to Buy
If they are wearing nappies [diapers] don't add another layer with shorts etc – who cares anyway?
Sunscreen for 'little people' is of paramount importance. Don't cut corners, buy at least SF15 and a product that offers protection against bot UVA and UVAB light. Even if the product proclaims that it is waterproof, re-apply regularly, especially if your baby had been in the paddling pool or sea. The product may proclaim that it is water-resistant but it is best not to believe it! The 'rule of thumb' is to take the sun factor e.g. 10 and multiply it by 10 and this gives you the total of 100 – the number of minutes before the sunscreen needs to be re-applied...We LOVE this natural one from Etsy > Click Here to Buy
This one is super cute > Click Here to Buy
If they are wearing nappies [diapers] don't add another layer with shorts etc – who cares anyway?
Sunscreen for 'little people' is of paramount importance. Don't cut corners, buy at least SF15 and a product that offers protection against bot UVA and UVAB light. Even if the product proclaims that it is waterproof, re-apply regularly, especially if your baby had been in the paddling pool or sea. The product may proclaim that it is water-resistant but it is best not to believe it! The 'rule of thumb' is to take the sun factor e.g. 10 and multiply it by 10 and this gives you the total of 100 – the number of minutes before the sunscreen needs to be re-applied...We LOVE this natural one from Etsy > Click Here to Buy
Cool water is perfect
Young children love water play and a paddling pool in a shady area can really help them to keep cool and is a really good solution. Likewise a cool (tepid) bath at bedtime can really help young children to feel cool before bedtime especially if you dress them in the minimum of night clothes.
To help keep their bedroom cool, it is best to keep the curtains and blinds drawn all day through and give your baby' toddler just a sheet to sleep under. If temperatures are excessive an electric fan can add a cooling breeze in the nursery.
To help keep their bedroom cool, it is best to keep the curtains and blinds drawn all day through and give your baby' toddler just a sheet to sleep under. If temperatures are excessive an electric fan can add a cooling breeze in the nursery.
and SOME help for the family petS....
All animals should be kept in the shade with a ready supply of cool, fresh drinking water. On exceptionally hot days, add ice cubes to your animals' drinking water to keep it cool.
Make sure that your animals have plenty of ready access to shade
Whilst animals enjoy being in the shade, if they are exposed to the sun, like humans they need sunscreen for their exposed skin – get one from your local animal store. There are some very effective 'sun protection suits' on the market for dogs.
Check these out > Click Here to Buy
Make sure that your animals have plenty of ready access to shade
Whilst animals enjoy being in the shade, if they are exposed to the sun, like humans they need sunscreen for their exposed skin – get one from your local animal store. There are some very effective 'sun protection suits' on the market for dogs.
Check these out > Click Here to Buy
Dogs love to go for 'walkies' but think about the hot weather impact... don't take your dog for a on sizzling tarmac as this could burn the pads on their feet.
Make sure they are always hydrated at home too, these automatic filling water globes look so cool >
If you have a goldfish bowl or aquarium, change the water more frequently as the water quality deteriorates in the heat.
Even if you don't have domestic pets, feel sorry for the wild animals in your vicinity and give them a couple of bowls of clean fresh water. You will be delighted to find that wild birds will love drinking the water and taking a cool and refreshing bath that makes them feel great!
Make sure they are always hydrated at home too, these automatic filling water globes look so cool >
If you have a goldfish bowl or aquarium, change the water more frequently as the water quality deteriorates in the heat.
Even if you don't have domestic pets, feel sorry for the wild animals in your vicinity and give them a couple of bowls of clean fresh water. You will be delighted to find that wild birds will love drinking the water and taking a cool and refreshing bath that makes them feel great!
Even if you don't have domestic pets, feel sorry for the wild animals in your vicinity and give them a couple of bowls of clean fresh water. You will be delighted to find that wild birds will love drinking the water and taking a cool and refreshing bath that makes them feel great!
Angey x
