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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be worried about newborn in next week's heatwave

32 replies

Newgirlmummy · 15/07/2022 12:10

My first baby is 4 days old, so we're all still figuring things out! But I'm so worried about keeping her cool next week when the temperature is meant to top 40 degrees.

Any top tips??

OP posts:
PattyMelt · 15/07/2022 12:18

Nappy and a loose tee shirt on her and breastfeed lots. You drink lots of water and both stay out of the sun. That's what we did when we lived in a hot country.

DoingJustFine · 15/07/2022 12:20

It's 100% reasonable to worry about things like this! It's a sign you're a clever, thoughtful parent.

Get a room thermometer for wherever your DD will be.

And I'd probably ring the midwife team for advice. I had those woman on speed dial when my DC were tiny.

Maray1967 · 15/07/2022 12:23

Keep curtains closed on the side of the house where the sun is. Ventilate from the shaded side, and then change over when the sun moves. Curtains really do help to keep the temperature lower in high heat.
Aa PP said , nappy plus t shirt, loose top only.

luxxlisbon · 15/07/2022 12:23

Just keep them in a nappy and offer lots of milk throughout the day. Maybe just a vest at bedtime depending on your house.

FatAgainItsLettuceTime · 15/07/2022 12:24

Stay in the shade and if you venture out make sure her skin is covered.

Don't drape a muslin or blanket over the pram, lots of people seem to do this but it traps the heat in and gets hotter under than there than if there wasn't a cover. If you need to create shade do it with a parasol/pram shade instead.

In the house just a nappy and vest and you can give a tepid bath if it starts getting too hot, heck if I were you I'd get in there with her 😀

I'm working all day and will have a bucket of cold water under my desk to cool my feet off.

Ozgirl75 · 15/07/2022 12:25

My youngest was born in December in Australia and it was roasting. I just kept him in a vest and nappy, we had fans going and I fed him loads. Also make sure you drink loads of water yourself.

DenholmElliot1 · 15/07/2022 12:27

My tip is to have just one room in your house that is air conditioned

Skinnermarink · 15/07/2022 12:28

PattyMelt · 15/07/2022 12:18

Nappy and a loose tee shirt on her and breastfeed lots. You drink lots of water and both stay out of the sun. That's what we did when we lived in a hot country.

OP might not necessarily be breastfeeding!

Strip to nappy, lots of fans, curtains and windows shut against the sun.

Natsku · 15/07/2022 12:37

Keep all curtains and windows shut all day, only open in the evening once its cooled down outside. If you can keep one room cooler (fan/swamp cooler) then do that and stay in that room. If breastfeeding then feeds lots, if bottle feeding then I think smaller, more frequent feeds might be best (but not 100% on that, best call midwife to check that) and make sure you keep yourself extra well hydrated.

Skinnermarink · 15/07/2022 12:39

You’ll have your five day check tomorrow- seek midwife advice then.

Original poster
Newgirlmummy · 15/07/2022 13:03

Thank you all! Yes will definitely chat with my midwife tomorrow too.

I am trying to breastfeed, but we're both still learning and it's a bit of a challenge at the moment. Another reason I'm so worried about her not getting enough food/hydration. Do have some formula on standby too

OP posts:
Yodaisawally · 15/07/2022 13:07

I had Dts in a heatwave. Keep baby in a nappy and a sleeveless vest - just a nappy you'll end up sticking to each other with sweat!

Mariposista · 15/07/2022 13:08

FatAgainItsLettuceTime · 15/07/2022 12:24

Stay in the shade and if you venture out make sure her skin is covered.

Don't drape a muslin or blanket over the pram, lots of people seem to do this but it traps the heat in and gets hotter under than there than if there wasn't a cover. If you need to create shade do it with a parasol/pram shade instead.

In the house just a nappy and vest and you can give a tepid bath if it starts getting too hot, heck if I were you I'd get in there with her 😀

I'm working all day and will have a bucket of cold water under my desk to cool my feet off.

Totally agree over the pram cover - I can’t believe people are so stupid to do this. I live in a very hot country where 35 is the norm in summer, and if I see a parent doing this I will call them out on it. I would rather have the defensive retorts back than a dead baby on my conscience.

AnyFucker · 15/07/2022 13:10

Hey, remember this: for the last 9 months she has been swimming around in temperatures of 37deg Celsius 😊

it will be fine, some good advice above

Mariposista · 15/07/2022 13:12

Congratulations on your baby! Prioritise hydration over BF. Any doubts, get baby on a bottle, it’s much more important that baby is hydrated than BF right now.

ReeseWitherfork · 15/07/2022 13:13

Newgirlmummy · 15/07/2022 13:03

Thank you all! Yes will definitely chat with my midwife tomorrow too.

I am trying to breastfeed, but we're both still learning and it's a bit of a challenge at the moment. Another reason I'm so worried about her not getting enough food/hydration. Do have some formula on standby too

If she suddenly feeds way more then don’t panic about supply. Not only is she likely to start cluster feeding, they feed way more in the heat.

cottagegardenflower · 15/07/2022 13:16

Just dont put a blanket over the pram as its a big no no

User112 · 15/07/2022 13:18

Windows open and have a fan for air circulation. Vest and nappy, breastfeed often, you drink lots of water.

It’s very hot in India in summer months. They cope by staying in shade, hydrating and cooling the air.

hang a wet towel on the window and keep a fan near it so cool air circulates in the room.

Upsideandundergarments · 15/07/2022 13:19

Breastfeeding is a real challenge, or at least it was for me. I had more painkillers to deal with it that with the entire pregnancy and birth. There were many tears and much swearing... But I'm at 4 months and so glad I stuck with it, got genuinely enjoyable at around 8 weeks. That's just me and I'm only saying it because you mentioned formula and I was told it wasn't a good idea to give formula at this stage if you want to breastfeed (I had to see a lactation consultant) but it's totally up to you and you know best. I'm only mentioning it because you said you were trying and I know how much I struggled.

Their tummies are tiny and they don't need much just as regular as you can. As long as you are getting wet nappies then you're nailing it. If you aren't sure I found the breastfeeding helpline really good.

In terms of keeping cool, I dotted cool water on his forehead, arms and legs so it acted like sweat and helped cool him. Seemed to work.

whathaveidone29 · 15/07/2022 13:21

Newgirlmummy · 15/07/2022 13:03

Thank you all! Yes will definitely chat with my midwife tomorrow too.

I am trying to breastfeed, but we're both still learning and it's a bit of a challenge at the moment. Another reason I'm so worried about her not getting enough food/hydration. Do have some formula on standby too

It doesn't have to be breastmilk. Just keep up with the feeds offer lots of formula or breastmilk. Both are just as good & hydrating xx

ReeseWitherfork · 15/07/2022 13:24

Upsideandundergarments · 15/07/2022 13:19

Breastfeeding is a real challenge, or at least it was for me. I had more painkillers to deal with it that with the entire pregnancy and birth. There were many tears and much swearing... But I'm at 4 months and so glad I stuck with it, got genuinely enjoyable at around 8 weeks. That's just me and I'm only saying it because you mentioned formula and I was told it wasn't a good idea to give formula at this stage if you want to breastfeed (I had to see a lactation consultant) but it's totally up to you and you know best. I'm only mentioning it because you said you were trying and I know how much I struggled.

Their tummies are tiny and they don't need much just as regular as you can. As long as you are getting wet nappies then you're nailing it. If you aren't sure I found the breastfeeding helpline really good.

In terms of keeping cool, I dotted cool water on his forehead, arms and legs so it acted like sweat and helped cool him. Seemed to work.

Absolutely - they say not to top up with formula at this stage because you’re establishing your supply. But as PP are saying, hydration is important and you may feel comfortable giving formula. So I’d recommend pumping every time you give formula so that you’re still telling your body to produce milk. (But don’t be put off if the pumping doesn’t produce that much, babies are a lot better at extracting milk than a pump, as long as you’re telling your body to produce milk then the pump is doing its job.)

3amAndImStillAwake · 15/07/2022 13:26

Set yourself up in whatever room in the house is coolest, keep the curtains shut, and try and just keep that room cool.
As you're breastfeeding, don't worry if the baby wants to feed a lot more when it's hot. That's normal and doesn't mean you are having an issue with supply. Obviously if it gets too much for you then go for the formula as well. Make sure you drink a lot.
Next Monday/Tuesday I just wouldn't go out with the baby unless it's very early morning. You'll both just get too hot.

Claireshh · 15/07/2022 13:32

My baby was poorly and it hospital for a week and the doctors insisted my bf was topped up with formula. I bf him for a year. Don’t be scared of formula if you are concerned.

My first was born a few months before a heatwave so she was older than yours. We had a fan and kept curtains closed.

trollopolis · 15/07/2022 13:34

Aircon is part of the problem

Get a fan instead