over heating baby

[candr]

Yesterday I had DS 8m outside, with sun block on, a hat and in the shade most of the time. He was also drinking lots of water and in a paddling pool for some of it.
At night he became really hot and was breathing quite fast. I had him in bed with me in a vest with no covers (DH sent to spare room). He had calpol and water and then bf from me most of the night. When not feeding he was wriggling and crying and seemed so uncomfertable. He got really upset at cool flannel and wanted no covers over him at all (at which point I worried about him getting a chill)
He seems fine today despite only getting 2 hrs sleep last night but has huge bags under his eyes.
Could he have overheated even in the shade?, did I do the right thing letting him feed all night or should I have just given water? Should I have taken him to A and E with his fast breathing?
I am just really doubting my actions and worry I should have done more to help him.

Heat Exhaustion could present that way. NHS article on Heat Exhaustion. It wouldn't normally strike if someone has been in the shade and drunk plenty of water but children under 2 are at particular risk, presumably because they can't regulate their body-temperature the same as older children. The article warns that, if untreated, it can develop into the more dangerous Heatstroke and recommends A&E for more serious symptoms. However, your reaction to keep him cool & give extra fluids exactly followed their advice and he seems to be tired but generally better. Obviously, book a trip to the GP if you're still concerned or if he seems unwell at all. If it's another hot day, keep him indoors, turn on fans and offer plenty of drinks.

I wouldn't have kept him outside TBH. Or if you do, strip him completely and make sure there's a breeze. If not, best to stay inside.

I have a 5.5 month old who was thoroughly miserable yesterday. I had her in the pushchair, almost nothing on and kept to the shade. BF her every 90 mins to keep her fluids up and only had her out for an hour at a time. We stayed in between 12 and 3.30pm.

Just for future, don't used cold flannels on over-heated children. They can make them shiver, which is the body's way of heating itself up again, which is the opposite effect to what you want. They now recommend just stripping babies down to their nappies.

If he wants to be just in a nappy with no covers, I'd let him. I don't think he's going to get too cold in this weather just from being nekkid. Overheating is more of a concern than the opposite.

Breastfeeding often to keep his fluids up is great. In this weather I'd be inclined to stay indoors through the hottest part of the day, with an electric fan on if you have one.

Thanks for advice. He was only in nappy outside as was in and out of paddling pool and we were inside during midday sun. His temp is fine now but he is often quite a hot baby anyway.
Will not do cool flannel again but maybe luke warm bath if he is really hot? He doesn't really want to bf much during day but does drink lots of water.
Handy to figure all this out now before we go away somewhere hotter on hols.

The lukewarm bath will warm him up, too - the brain registers that the skin feels cold and diverts the blood away from the skin surface, thus keeping more heat in their body. He should be fine just in the shade/indoors as others have advised - I know it is scary though!

i had ds naked all day the last 2 days in the heat he's only 16 weeks so just put a disposable changing mat under him to catch anything he still got very hot so had him inside a lot. I think some babies just get very hot ds got to hot even in the winter.

I'd say keep him indoors. I keep my lot in between 10.30 and 3.30, especially when it's really hot as well as sunny. It does sound like he had a touch of heat exhaustion - even reflected or filtered sunlight can be too much for them so indoors is best.

Re staying indoors.
When it's early try to open all the windows and air the house.
When the sun is beating down through windows, shut window and curtain in sunny rooms and move to a shadier part of the house. A north facing garden is also a great help!
Breastfeeding loads helps
Second the naked baby on disposable mat or on muslin square or towel which you can replace as needed and cheaper (always a skin flint!)