We have put together some tips on baby summer safety. The warmer weather can make following safer sleep advice more complicated because it is harder to keep baby cool and holidays and travel can disrupt routines. So keep reading for a quick overview on how to care for your baby over the summer months.
Room temperature
One of the key parts of baby summer safety is keeping your baby cool enough. Babies that get too hot have a greater chance of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
We recommend keeping the room where your baby sleeps at a fairly cool temperature of 16-20°C. This can be more difficult in summer months or when away somewhere warm.
Here are some tips if the room where your baby sleeps is difficult to cool:
🟡 Use lighter bedding and clothing, and fewer layers
🟡 Open the bedroom door and a window, if it is safe to do so
🟡 Baby sleep bags will have guidance on what tog to use for each season
🟡 Use a fan to cool the room, but don’t aim it directly on the baby
🟡 Keep curtains closed in the daytime
A thermometer can help you to make sure the room is at the right temperature.
Travelling by car
If your trip involves driving for long periods of time, you should stop for regular breaks. This will allow you to check on your baby, take them out of the car seat and let them stretch and move around. Ideally, a second adult should travel in the back of the car with your baby, or if travelling alone use a mirror to keep an eye on your baby.
If you see that your baby has slumped forward, then you should stop as soon as it’s safe to do so. Take your baby out of the car seat and sit them upright before continuing on your journey.
Car seats are designed to keep babies safe while travelling, not as a main sleeping place. Car seats should only be used for transport and not as an alternative for cots or high chairs. It’s OK for your baby to fall asleep in a car seat when travelling, but they should be taken out as soon as you get to your destination, and placed onto a firm, flat surface to sleep.
Following a safer sleep routine on holiday
To reduce the risk of SIDS, babies should be slept on their back on a firm, flat, mattress for every sleep, day and night. It is just as important to follow this routine on holiday as it is at home.
If your baby is sleeping in a travel cot, the mattresses are often thinner and feel harder but don’t be tempted to place folded blankets or a quilt under the baby to make them ‘more comfortable’. Ensure that the travel cot isn’t against a radiator, in direct sunlight, and is out of reach of blind cords and hazards.
Baby summer safety when out and about
Babies’ prams, travel systems and buggies should not be covered with blankets, cloths or any cover that prevents the air circulating. Covering a pram or buggy with a blanket could lead to overheating, which increases the chance of SIDS. Using a cover is also risky as parents won’t be able to see if their baby is having difficulties or monitor their temperature easily.
One of our top baby summer safety tips is to use a clip-on sunshade or parasol. This will help to keep your baby shaded but still allow air to circulate and still provide a clear view of your baby. We also advise you to check regularly if your baby is getting too hot by feeling their chest or the back of their neck. Keep babies out of direct sunlight as much as possible.
Making sure baby has enough fluids
When the weather is hot it is important to make sure that your baby has plenty of fluids. Fully breastfed babies don’t need any extra water until they start eating solid food but during hot weather, they may want to breastfeed more than usual. If you’re bottle feeding, as well as their usual milk feeds, you can give your baby a little cooled boiled water. If your baby wakes at night, they’ll probably want milk. If they have had their usual milk feeds, try cooled boiled water as well.
Co-sleeping more safely
You can find information on safer co-sleeping here.
However, it is dangerous to co-sleep if you or your partner are having an alcoholic drink, smoking or taking medication that could make you drowsy. Co-sleeping with your baby in these circumstances increases the risk of SIDS. We also advise families not to co-sleep when the bed’s headboard isn’t solid (e.g. it is is slatted). Instead, your baby should sleep in a separate sleep space such as a cot or Moses basket in the same room as you.
