How to care for your child during hot weather?

Summer is a time of carefree fun, fruit ice creams and long days spent outdoors, but when the heat beats down from the sky, this holiday idyll can quickly turn into a health hazard for the little ones. A child's body isn't yet able to regulate temperature as efficiently as an adult's, which makes them especially vulnerable to extreme sun and stuffy air. You don't, however, have to shut yourself and your child in an air-conditioned living room for the entire holiday – a few smart rules are all it takes to make summer days completely safe, refreshing and full of joy.

Why is hot weather dangerous for children?

A child's body is still learning thermoregulation, which is why it copes with extreme temperatures far worse than an adult's body. Little ones, and especially infants, sweat much less, which leads to their bodies heating up rapidly and drastically increases the risk of a dangerous heatstroke. In addition, high temperatures encourage rapid loss of water from the body, and in the case of a small child this can lead to life-threatening dehydration in a very short time. For this reason, summer heatwaves must be treated with particular caution, carefully and constantly monitoring how the youngest are feeling.

How to care for your child during hot weather? – 6 proven ways

Protecting your child from overheating doesn't mean giving up summer pleasures and constantly staying indoors. Here are 6 tips that will help you get through the hottest days in comfort and good health.

Choose breathable clothing

When the heat is pouring down from the sky, avoid synthetic, non-breathable fabrics that cling to the body and increase your little one's sweating. The best choice for a child will be loose, light-coloured clothes made from natural fabrics such as breathable cotton, delicate muslin, linen or cooling bamboo. In the comfort of your home you can happily let your baby stay in just a nappy (preferably an eco-friendly one) or completely without one, which will give the skin relief and protect against painful chafing. Remember also to avoid overheating at night.

Ensure proper hydration

On hot days, drinking water regularly is an absolute priority, which is why a favourite water bottle or cup should always be within reach of your little one's hands. Breastfed infants under six months of age usually don't need any additional water, but mum must remember to offer the breast very frequently and to stay well hydrated herself. For older children, it's worth varying the fluids they take in, offering not only plain water but also electrolytes after intense play and fruit with a high water content. To make sure your little one is getting enough fluids, it's worth following the guidelines below, adjusted to age and weight.

Approximate daily fluid requirements by age:

Don't expose your child to direct sunlight

Walks in full sun between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. are the quickest route to heatstroke, which is why you should plan summer activities away from the midday heat – early in the morning or in the late afternoon. If you have to leave the house in the middle of the day, always look for deep shade and be absolutely sure to put a breathable, peaked hat on your child. Crucially, never cover the pram hood with a nappy or muslin, because this creates a deadly greenhouse inside, cutting off the supply of oxygen and drastically raising the temperature. Instead, create safe shade with a pram parasol or an air-permeable sun sail, and when travelling by car, use breathable bamboo car-seat liners.

Use suitable sunscreen

Young children's skin is exceptionally thin, delicate and lacking full melanin protection, which is why it suffers painful sunburn much more quickly. Even if you're mainly in the shade, every trip outside must involve applying an appropriate layer of cream to protect against UV radiation. For children, and especially infants, safe mineral filters with an SPF 50 rating are by far the best choice, as they create a physical barrier on the skin that reflects the rays. The cosmetic should be reapplied to exposed areas of the body (and the face) every few hours, and it's essential to do so after every water play session in the pool or after drying your little one with a towel.

Serve light meals

When the temperature outside breaks records, it's perfectly normal for children's appetite to drop sharply and for them to firmly refuse to eat standard portions. Don't force your little one to eat thick, hot soups or heavy meats; instead, opt for cool, refreshing snacks packed with vitamins. Fresh fruit rich in water works perfectly – juicy watermelons, strawberries, blueberries or peaches, and for lunch chilled soups made from seasonal vegetables are a great choice. Nourishing chia puddings or fruit smoothies also make a very good addition to the summer menu, providing little tummies with the energy they need while pleasantly cooling them down.

Organise water play

Contact with water is a parent's greatest ally on hot days, bringing little ones instant relief from the heat and plenty of genuine joy. If you have a garden or a larger balcony, set up a small paddling pool filled with cool water in a shaded spot, so your child can splash about safely under your watchful eye. When you're out and about or on a walk, an ordinary spray bottle filled with water will come to the rescue, letting you create a refreshing, gentle mist for the skin.