The tummy-to-tummy trick parenting expert swears by to keep babies cool in the heat
IT’S meant to reach 27 degrees, with yellow weather warnings across the UK.
And one thing many mums and dads are struggling with in the heat is getting their babies to sleep.
But there’s a clever hack parenting experts are swearing by, and that’s the tummy-to-tummy trick.
“It may seem more likely to warm things up, but one of the best ways to cool down a baby is actually to place them, bare-skinned, on your tummy or chest,” Kirsty Douglas, Parenting Expert at Kiddies Kingdom said.
“This is known as ‘tummy to tummy baby-wearing’ where the skin-on-skin contact helps the little one to regulate their temperature with their mother’s, making things more comfortable for them.”
You can also use a muslin cloth to help keep your babies cool too – by dampening it with water and applying it to the tot… especially across the back of the neck.
“A damp muslin cloth is a great makeshift cold compress, especially if you are out and about during the day, as you can use bottled water to make one on the go,” Kirsty explained.
“If you’re using this hack on babies under 6 months old, be careful to check the water isn’t refrigerated and too cold beforehand, as their delicate skin is fragile and more sensitive to temperature.”
If your little one is over 12 months old, they can have an ice lolly to cool down as well.
Supermarket ones are often too sugary, so Kirsty recommends making your own at home, using plain water or very diluted fruit juice.
“To help protect your babies’ teeth, only give ice lollies made of diluted fruit juice at mealtimes and ensure you’re brushing their teeth thoroughly afterwards to remove any damaging sugars.,” she said.
“If you don’t have time to freeze up some lollies, another option is to make use of items you may already have.
“Try placing teething toys in the fridge to cool before giving them to your baby to chew or suckle on.
“Even if they’re not teething yet this will bring some relief from the heat!”
And lastly, if you’re out and about in the heat, then a stroller parasol is a brilliant way to stop your tot from getting too hot and bothered.
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Strip them off
It might sound simple, but stripping kids off at home can really help them regulate their temperature when it’s warm outside. Just remember to regularly apply suncream, as more of their skin will be exposed to the sun.
Cool down bedrooms before nighttime
When it’s hot outside, it can be difficult for kids to go to sleep – especially if their bedroom feels like an oven. If you have a room that’s not in direct sunshine, keep the windows open to let in a breeze. It’s also a good idea to keep the curtains closed, to prevent the room from heating up.
Wear a hat
Another simple technique, but one that really works. Make sure that if your kids are playing outside, they’ve got a hat on. It keeps their face and head shielded from the sun, and also helps if you’ve got a little one who struggles with bright sunlight. If your tot struggles to keep a hat on, try one with a strap that goes under the chin to help.
Avoid the car
The car can be one of the hottest places during a heatwave, and often takes a long time to cool down. If you have the option, it’s better to stay at home rather than taking kids out anywhere in a hot car.
Stay hydrated
This is always important, but even more so in a heatwave. Make sure you’re regularly reminding your kids to have a drink, and top them up with cool liquids whenever you can. Use ice too to ensure it’s as cold as it can possibly be.
“When you need to be on the move outside, parasols that attach to your pushchair are handy to help keep the strong summer sun at bay,” Kirsty said.
“Bugaboo accessories are easy to attach to strollers and the parasols are made with UPF 50+ fabric, meaning your baby will be well protected.”
“Even with sun protection, babies should always be kept out of the sun as much as possible, especially between 11am and 3pm, where the sun is at its highest and strongest.”