The baby is one of the particularly fragile populations in the event of a heat wave. To protect it from heat stroke and the risk of dehydration, it is important to apply various preventive measures in the event of high temperatures.

Babies are particularly sensitive to heat At birth, their thermal regulation system is not functional, so their body cannot regulate their body temperature well. In addition, its skin, barrier between its body and the outside, is very thin and its skin surface proportionately very high compared to that of adults. Until the age of two, and even more so during the first two months, infants are very sensitive to temperature variations: they quickly catch cold and quickly get hot. 

In periods of strong heat, if he stays too long in a hot and poorly ventilated place, he perspires less and his body has difficulty in evacuating the heat. It is hyperthermia or “heat stroke”: his temperature rises, he is red, crying, his skin is hot and dry, he no longer perspires. The infant’s body contains a lot of water (70 to 80% of its weight against only 60% in adults), dehydration can then quickly occur.

During a heat wave, it is recommended to install your baby in the coolest room of the house, with the shutters closed during the day to maintain this freshness. With blackout or thermal curtains, it’s even better. As soon as the temperatures drop at the end of the day, we open the window to bring in some fresh air, making drafts (in the absence of the baby). 

However, the use of air conditioning or the fan is not recommended with an infant in the room: it dries the air, but his mucous membranes are very sensitive and he needs slightly humid air to breathe well. In addition, the baby would risk catching cold from the slightest draft, especially at night. If they are really needed to cool the room, be sure to put them at a reasonable temperature, do not point them directly at the baby and change the filters regularly if necessary.

A little trick to freshening the air in baby’s room is to use the humidity, by drying clothes in the room or by mopping the floor. 

To refresh your baby during the day, it is possible to mist a little cool water about twenty centimeters away, taking care to avoid his skull, which is particularly sensitive to temperature variations. Another alternative to bring it a little freshness: a very slightly damp (and not wet) glove to apply to his chest, legs, neck. 

During a heat wave, it is possible to lower the baby’s bath a few degrees in order to refresh it. 35 ° C, that’s perfect, baby below would risk catching a cold. Do not hesitate to multiply small swims during the day, making sure to wipe it off when leaving to prevent it catching cold. 

Because dehydration quickly occurs in a baby and he is not yet able to express his thirst, in times of extreme heat the parent must be “proactive” in terms of hydration.

If the baby is breastfed, there is no need to offer him water in addition to his feedings, this could reduce lactation. On the other hand, the mother will practice breastfeeding on demand and even before, very often offering the breast to her baby. Composed of 88% water, breast milk is enough to meet its water needs as long as it sucks very regularly – even for a short time – throughout the day. 

If the baby is formula-fed, the bottle can be given at room temperature. Apart from the bottle, it is not recommended to offer pure water before 6 months. After 6 months, it is recommended to offer him spring water suitable for infants, at least every hour and during the night if he wakes up. In case of travel or outings, it is therefore essential to provide in addition to the bottle of water in sufficient quantity. 

If the baby (breastfed or not) is diverse, fruits and vegetables rich in water (watermelon, melon, tomato, peach, etc.) and dairy products will supplement their water intake. However, be careful with fruit juices, syrups and other sugary drinks, which are not recommended for babies.

At the same time, we remain attentive to these different signs of dehydration:

• dry mouth of the tongue;

During a heat wave, no outing for babies during the hottest hours of the day (between 11 am and 16 pm). During the walk, beware of a common mistake: the diaper placed on the top of the carrycot or cozy to protect the baby from the sun. This creates a furnace effect under the hood: the temperature rises quickly and the air does not circulate. To protect the baby from the sun, it is better to bet on an umbrella or an anti-UV sun visor, as well as a hat and sunglasses, mandatory for all outings. 

If the portage in a sling or physiological baby carrier is usually recommended for the baby, in the event of strong heat, it is to be avoided. Baby may be too hot against the body, also hot, of its carrier.

In times of heat wave, we lighten the outfit of the baby. Above 28 ° C, a single layer of clothing is sufficient. Favor simple cuts in light tones (white, beige, pastel color) and natural materials such as cotton, linen or bamboo. Bamboo textile fiber is particularly interesting in summer: naturally endowed with antibacterial properties, it is also absorbent while letting baby’s skin breathe.  

On hot summer nights, baby can do without the sleeping bag. On the other hand, it is better to avoid letting him sleep in a diaper, he would risk catching cold if the temperatures drop, especially since he moves very little when he sleeps, his body produces less heat. A light cotton pajamas or a long-sleeved bodysuit will keep him from getting cold, while absorbing his perspiration. 

Be careful when going out: for passages in air-conditioned places (car, store, supermarket, etc.), always provide a small waistcoat or a swaddling blanket to prevent baby from catching cold.