Holiday with baby in heat wave

[Happyharper]

Taking our 9 months DS on holiday and it's forecast to be 37 degrees for 3 days ( other weather websites say 39!). It then ' cools ' down to about 32.

Everything non refundable at this point. Small villa with pool. No air con but apparently parts of the villa are subterranean and has fans which keep the place v cool. I messaged to owner yesterday to ask and she confirmed this ( they will get the money either way so no need to exaggerate).

In the middle of the countryside so not much in terms of air con restaurants/ shopping malls etc.

So disappointed- I know it's only a holiday but its normally around 25 degrees at this time of year. Would loose around £1.4k which is a lot - especially as I'm on mat leave on no pay.

YABU- don't go it's far too hot
YANBU - go - it will be fine.

I would go, it will be fine.

Pool time morning and evening. Get a large bucket or bowl and a shower curtain for the floor, two inches of water in the bucket and have midday water play downstairs. That and the draught from the fan will work fine.

I'm worried it's dangerous for the baby and I'm being selfish risking this! Could they get heat stroke?

Apparently the rest of the week is now 34 degrees!

Babies live in those countries and countries with higher temperatures.

Yes the baby could get heat stroke but there are it’s of ways you can avoid this. Don’t take baby out in the hottest part of the day, keep baby in at those times. Swim in the cooler morning and late afternoon/evening, don’t cover the pram with a muslin.

My SIL is from SE Asia and has taken her babies there in similar temps. Basically baby wears fairly much just a nappy most of the time and stays indoors out of sun.
If there are cool areas in the villa then stay in those. Open windows first thing to get cool breeze in and then shut windows draw curtains and keep the house closed up for the rest of the day to keep it as cool as possible.

Why on earth is it dangerous how do you think local babies cope especially when it gets close to 50, in some parts of the world, being dramatic about it makes no sense

I mean yes they could, if you are out in the heat all day.

I am from a hot country and summer born babies cope just fine.

I assume you are going out of the UK? If so, then the houses will most likely have tiled floors and be much cooler than for eg, a UK house with carpets and those that retain heat.

Go out early, and be indoors / in the shade during the worst of the heat 12 - 3pm. Don't swim in the pool during those hours either, no matter how tempting it is. That is a recipe for heat stroke.

Further to my post above, offer an extra drink morning, afternoon and evening of just water.

You will not give your baby heatstroke. How do you think us lot in hot climates live? And we have done for centuries. I and others have given good, easy advise and everything else is how you make it.

Also, keep an eye on pram heat hygiene if you are in the sun. Take a thick towel out in the basket in case you take baby out of the pram. Put a thick layer of towel on the seat with the buckle under so baby isn’t burnt when you put it back. Under the shade top can get very hot. Have a read here https://rednose.org.au/article/the-dangers-of-covering-your-pram#:~:text=Covering%20a%20pram%20or%20pusher,to%20temperature%20changes%20than%20adults.

Shade next to water will always be cooler.
Water play outside under Shade or in cool bits of villa.
Take an ice lolly kit and make breast/formula lollies for DC.
Half fill a plastic bottle with water, freeze on its side overnight and top up with water in the morning, that will keep it cool.
Keep baby hydrated, plenty of fresh fruit and veg

I'm curious where you booked where it's an average of 25C in July? Assuming it's probably a European holiday destination like France, Spain, Croatia or Italy. Central and southern Europe have never had temps of 25C in the hottest summer months.

The Netherlands & Scandinavia are possibly the only places where it's an average of 25C in summer (which implies half the time it's actually lower).

I just wanted to highlight this:

Shade next to water will always be cooler

Yes, but the sunburn risk is higher than not next to water (in the shade). The UV rays reflect off the water.

Obviously way less than in the direct sun, but just wanted to put this there in case someone was not aware. So wear spf when sitting outdoors in the shade too OP.

OP’s baby is not local and not acclimatised. Babies can get very ill in high temperatures.

If you're outside, sit in the shade under trees if you can, much cooler than a sunshade for example. Open the windows to air your accommodation as early as you can in the morning. It's very hot here at the moment (south east France) so we air at 6am then close everything up ( windows, shutters) before the sun shines into the house. Basically batten down the hatches until the evening when you can open everything up and air again. Drink plenty of water, think about getting a water spray ( Evian or similar, available in supermarkets and pharmacies). Don't use the oven during the day, try and eat food that doesn't involve too much cooking. Watermelon is great, chop it up and keep it in the fridge. If you have a car with you try and park in the shade, open all the windows to release the heat before you get in, enjoy the air con ( ours is struggling at the moment!).

Your baby will not be the first baby in 32 degrees. I grew up in much higher temperatures and was always healthy.

I wouldn’t go, it sounds like a pain and hassle. Holidays are meant to be fun. You’ve still got the time off. Can you recoup any of the costs of holiday or transfer dates???

Can you go to a local U.K. beach for a change of scene and moderate weather

@Alps247 thank you. This is probably what we will need to do but as @Didyouknowslaf said it doesn't sound much fun!

Yes I agree babies survive in much hotter but DC is not used to weather like this - hence my concern.

@nomas 32 would be fine but 39 seems dangerously hot!

We've got slightly lower temperatures at the moment (32-35 degrees) and DD is 11 months. She doesn't seem too fussed. Her nursery has a fan but I currently pick her up at lunchtime. They are outside in the garden for most of the morning. There's cover and the kids just play out while it's still a little cooler. She then has a nap in the pushchair outside (in the shade, additional sun cover on it...yes, it's fine, no, it's not a muslin, towel or blanket) once we are back home.
She's dressed in just light clothes (mostly baby dresses from Desigual or those short sleepsuits, no vests) and we've got several spots in the garden that provide shade. The sun moves round and the front garden is shaded after lunchtime, so she plays there. We've got a little splash pad she likes to play in.
She likes to eat cold pasta and yoghurt pouches from the fridge and just happily snacks on fruit and veg. I haven't made an actual dinner in days.
Just go with the flow. You'll probably not be heading off to tour cities and explore tourist attractions but you can have a nice relaxed time by the pool. We usually use our pool in the evening, when the sun isn't as strong anymore.

My daughter was born during a heat wave, he first week it was 38 C, no aircon. She is alive. I think all you have to do is be sensible, plenty of sensible advice on this thread.

@Katiesaidthat gosh that must have been so difficult, especially with a tiny baby but you didn't have a choice in the matter. We could choose not to - not sure if that's sensible option!

What did you do in the end @Happyharper ?

@Didyouknowslaf sorry just saw this! We went and it was lovely, although obviously we were pretty limited to what we could do in the day. The House was pretty cool and we drove to air conditioned restaurants. Sat outside in the evening once the baby had gone to bed which was great.