Any tips for keeping a small baby cool in this heatwave?

[Elpis]

So it's already 25C in the nursery, despite window open, through draught, curtains shut to keep the sun out... My DD is nearly two months old and we're using a fan to keep her cooler. Some sort of aircon system is on order but it's going to be at least 31C this week in London. Any tips? Could her baths be a bit cooler than usually recommended? Should I deploy a cool flannel?

[DippyDino]

A cooler than normal bath should be fine, obviously if she shivers / cries then it's too cool!
Cool flannel if needed.
Remember it will be cooler on the floor, so a thin blanket spread on the floor for her to lay on.

Other than that I dont think there's a great deal yoiu can do.

You have my sympathies, in the heatwave 3 years ago (dd was same age as yours) I rang my husband in tears shrieking "it's too hot for her, I can't cool her down enough WHY OH WHY IS IT SO HOT SHE WONT STOP CRYING!!!"

But then she hates the heat and still does now, it affects her appetitie and she won't play outside if it's too hot!

[MrsHappy]

Less clothes (a bit obvious but I am amazed what some people dress their babies in in this weather).

You could put a bowl of ice in front of a fan in her room before she goes to sleep. I wouldn't have it on when she is in there but it might cool it down for when she goes in.

Put her to sleep in the coolest room you can.

Have not forgotten the 2006 heatwave either - it did not go below 27 degrees in my (south facing, totally exposed) house for weeks. In the end we decamped to relatives in the country like evacuees.

[atigercametotea]

keep all curtains and blinds closed during the day and at night.

Place fans next to open windows (although curtians and blinds are closed) to catch any small draft of air, otherwise its just circulating hot air at the other end of the room.

Obviously just put to bed in nappy/vest.

Pure cotton bedding (no synthetic fibres to make baby sweat/uncomfortable)

Put several bottles of frozen water in her room overnight (large 2 litre bottles) - they will defrost overnight, chilling the air - put them on top on a plate to catch any drips.....

that's about it?

[littleboyblue]

My ds2 is 4 months and has been going to bed in just a vest. I have gone in and his legs feel a bit chilly so I have drapped a sheet on him.
Hadn't thought about frozen bottles of water though. Good idea.

[Elpis]

Thanks for the suggestion of bottles of frozen water - will freeze some tomorrow morning. Yes, she's just wearing a nappy and vest - I wish people would stop giving her bootees: I have about 20 pairs and she's only worn them once!

I know this will sound like a silly question, but how can I tell if she's too hot? Do they sweat or just become very lethargic, or cry?

[littleboyblue]

Elpis They say the best way is to pop your finger down the front of her vest and feel her chest, that should give you the best indication of her overall body temp. Don't rely on feeling hands/feet as will depend on circulation. ds1 always has cold hands and feet, but ds2's are always warm.

[MrsHappy]

My Dd used to absolutely howl when she was hot, but I guess it depends on the baby.

Put a finger down the neck of her vest and see how she feels. It's normal for babies' arms and legs to feel cooler - her neck will tell you how hot she really is. Not that there is then necessarily much you can do about it. The free grobag thermometer kept telling me DD's room was too hot, and then I threw it away because it just made me feel guilty that there was no way to make it cooler!

[Donk]

Try a cold (or cool) hot water bottle - works wonders for DS

[JudyBlume1019]

my ds is sleeping in a pillowcase as obviously a grobag is Faaaaaaar too hot, and he likes something, and a sheet just gets kicked off.
Am liking ice water idea. very good

[JudyBlume1019]

ooh, cold water bottle good idea too!

[Donk]

And when you reach my advanced age, 'tis also good for hot flushes...

[atigercametotea]

feel baby's chest or neck to see if they are too hot.

Remember it does get cooler in the night - it is the early evening/bedtime from 6pm onwards that is a pain - so frozen bottles in the room from 4pm onwards!

[BettyFriedan]

I have to take 4 month old DD out tomorrow....immunisations and also to see great grandmother - coming to town for special visit. Aargh. I was going to take her in the sling as easier than pushchair in Tube. How can I make sure she doesn't overheat? Really worried...

[Elpis]

Coincidentally am also taking mine for her immunisations today, but fortunately GP is within walking distance ... I have taken her on the tube when it's quite hot. My advice is either to stand - if you can bear it - at the end of the carriage where the air whooshes through, or else take her out of the sling and lie her on the neighbouring seat (assuming there is one!) I've also thought about one of those hand-held battery-operated fans. Considered putting a frozen eye mask inside the sling with her but thought that would be just too cold. Still, you could bring it along and hold it against the outside. I think I'll do that when we next venture underground.

My other advice is not to take the bus in the heat. It's worse than the tube (unless it's rush hour) - like being trapped in a greenhouse.

[Elpis]

Should have added that of course you have to hold on tight to her if she's on the neighbouring seat ... don't want you to think I'd just let her tip off when the train braked suddenly ... awful thought!

[Supercherry]

Freeze some water or milk in ice cube trays, pop them in a Munchkin, which you can get from Asda, and give them to suck on, safe ice pops for younger babies.

see here

[HarryB]

JudyBlume, love the pillow case idea - I will try that tonight. My DS doesn't think it's bedtime till he's got his grobag on so we tried to fool him last night by tucking a sheet in around his legs but he just kicked it loose then kicked it off.