" How to make hot days more pleasant for babies "

The weather forecast promises a midsummer day. Temperatures are expected to exceed 30 degrees. Parents of a summer baby are now thinking about how their little treasure can survive the hot summer days unscathed.

First of all, let me tell all parents: a summer baby suffers much less from the heat than an adult! There is nothing to worry about. Nevertheless, there are of course a few things to bear in mind when a baby is experiencing its first weeks in the world in summer.

Drinking is important in summer

If the temperature rises sharply, it goes without saying that a baby will be thirstier than usual. If you are still breastfeeding your little sunshine, you do not usually need to offer extra drinks. The so-called foremilk is thinner and quenches thirst very well. Your child will noticeably want to go to the breast more often to drink the thin milk. So on hot days, put it on more often than usual.

Drinking is important in summer

If your little one is already on complementary foods or drinks from a bottle, drinks such as boiled water or unsweetened tea are ideal. Sometimes you can also offer thin juice spritzers.

In summer, make sure that you dispose of any leftover milk immediately and boil and clean the bottles accordingly. The high temperatures are an ideal breeding ground for germs.

What is usually also very good for a summer baby is a fresh fruit porridge. If your little sunshine is already a little older, you can also try offering water ice for the first time. Sometimes the appetite may not be so great on particularly warm days. We adults are no different. Above all, it is important that the summer baby drinks enough, as it naturally sweats and loses fluids as a result.

The midday heat is taboo!

The summer heat usually reaches its peak around midday. This is the time when it is best to stay indoors or find a cool and shady place. It is not only the enormous summer heat, but also the increased UV radiation that is a problem. It is therefore best to avoid being in direct sunlight with your baby in the summer at midday. Even adults instinctively avoid the outdoors at this time.

Midday heat is taboo

Well protected outdoors: sun cream, sun hat and co.

To be able to enjoy time outdoors with your baby in summer, your little diaper wearer needs to be protected from the sun. In principle, a summer baby should only wear as much clothing as you do. An airy summer dress or light cotton shorts are enough for you? Then your little one won't need much more. In extreme summer heat, a light, short-sleeved bodysuit will suffice. The exposed areas of skin must be protected with sun cream. Make sure you use the highest sun protection factor for your child in summer.

In addition, babies should always wear a thin and light fabric hat in the summer heat. There are special summer hats that not only cover the head, but also extend slightly over the delicate ears and also cover the neck with a thin fabric. This is because the ears and neck are particularly vulnerable in the blazing sun. Even if you put such a summer hat on your child, the skin must first be protected with sun cream.

What to do in the event of sunburn?

Despite the greatest care and caution, it is not always possible to avoid a slight sunburn. Natural yogurt or quark have proven to be effective treatments for reddened skin. These products cool in a completely natural way and are free from additives.

Baby in summer

If your child appears apathetic during the day, vomits and refuses to eat, you should consult a pediatrician as soon as possible. These may be the first warning signs of heatstroke. Therefore, avoid unnecessarily long stays in the extreme summer heat.

An infant and older babies should never spend more than 5 to 10 minutes at a time in direct sunlight anyway.

You can easily check whether your child is too hot or not. Feel the skin on the back of the neck. It should be warm, but never damp or sweaty. However, if this is the case, then quickly cool it down a little.

Cool down gently - but only with your feet in the cool water!

Whether it's a mountain lake, outdoor pool or the sea. Water is a magical attraction in summer. Your children are sure to share your enthusiasm for the cool water. Remember that even at the height of summer, babies should not be allowed in cold water. The water temperature must be around 33 degrees. Otherwise the little body will cool down too quickly.

Only feet in the cold water

Baby paddling pool

You should therefore only let your child splash around with their feet in the water if the temperature is too cold. Alternatively, you can set up a tiny pool in the garden or even on the balcony. This usually warms up the water within a few hours.

Baby paddling pool

Moist tootsies

On the crawling blanket or play blanket, you can now and again treat your little one to a damp Nuscheli on your little one's legs and arms if the summer heat seems too much. This also provides a pleasant cooling effect.

Move to air-conditioned rooms

If you are out and about with your baby in summer and go from the warm air to a cool café, cover your little diaper wearer with a thin baby blanket with a thin baby blanket. A baby is not yet able to retain heat so well and cools down quickly.

Tropical nights - how to sleep well in midsummer

The fans run continuously in the bedroom at night. In midsummer, temperatures rarely fall below 22 degrees, especially in cities. What seems natural for adults is a taboo in children's bedrooms. Little ones are extremely sensitive to draughts.

Please do not put any fans in the baby's bedroom!

If your little sunshine is sleeping in your room, the fan must be switched off as soon as the diaper wearer goes to rest.

In summer, a baby doesn't really need much to sleep. If the nights are not too hot, you can safely use a summer sleeping bag. However, if there is a threat of tropical nights, it is sufficient if you simply cover your child with a thin cotton sheet to sleep on. A muslin is already sufficient for a newborn. Otherwise, you are welcome to use cloth diapers to cover your child a little.

To prevent the bedroom from getting too warm during the day, keep the following things in mind:

• Ventilate the room thoroughly in the early hours of the morning.
• Close windows, doors and curtains before the sun really rises and generates new heat with all its might.
• If it is unavoidable that the room heats up, for example because it is under a sloping roof, then cool it down again with the fan before going to bed. Simply hang a damp cloth in front of the fan. This will also cool the air in the room down a little and you will all get a good night's sleep, despite the high summer temperatures.