Tips for Helping Your Child Sleep During a Heatwave
Keeping your baby’s room at the ideal temperature of 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer can be challenging. But no need to worry! You can take steps to ensure your little one sleeps safely during the summer. This post offers some friendly guidance on how to achieve this.
In the summer, your baby won’t need as many layers of clothing. Remember that a diaper/nappy counts as a layer too. To keep your baby cool, it’s essential to remove excess bedding. A good rule of thumb for dressing your baby in hot weather is to put them in a diaper/nappy and a onesie/vest and then cover them with a sheet, thin blanket, or summer sleep sack. If your baby is comfortable in a sleepsuit, that’s fine, but it’s best to go with fewer layers if you’re unsure. Check the room temperature and feel your baby’s back for signs of clamminess or sweating. Your baby should feel warm to the touch but not overheated. If they seem too warm, remove some layers to cool them down.
Remove any extra bedding, such as blankets or duvets, used in colder weather. On sweltering nights, a sheet or thin blanket will suffice for the baby.
The outside temperature cools at night, and your child’s bedroom may also cool. Your child may be warm at the beginning of the night but feel cold during the night as the temperature drops. You may need to go into your child’s room and pop them in an extra layer or a sleep sack.
To cool down your baby’s room, here are some tips:
– Turn on a fan for at least thirty minutes before putting the baby to sleep. However, ensure that the fan is placed far from the crib, not directed towards the baby, and not near the baby’s face. Keep all cords and blades of the fan away from the baby at all times.
– You can place a frozen bottle of water covered with a damp cloth in front of your fan. The cooler air will be circulated around the room. Don’t have the air directed at your baby.
On humid days, Hang damp towels over chairs or other objects in the room to help absorb moisture from the air.
– During the daytime, keep the curtains closed to block out a significant amount of heat and maintain a cool, shaded atmosphere.
Some additional suggestions for ensuring that the baby remains cool during sleep:
– Don’t let your baby sleep in the car unattended. When driving, use sun shades on the windows and either turn on the air conditioning or open the windows for fresh air.
– If the baby falls asleep in the stroller, keep them well-shaded. Use a Snoozeshade or something similar to block out the sun, and remember to remove any blankets to keep the baby cool.
