As the temperatures rise, dressing your baby can become a real headache for parents. The keys to dress your infant in a heat wave, in complete safety.

At birth, many of the baby’s physiological functions are still immature. This is the case with temperature regulation. It will take several more months for the baby’s body to be able to adapt to changes in outside temperature. The first 8 weeks of life, thermal immaturity is total: the small internal thermostat that regulates the temperature is not yet developed. The hypothalamus, which contains the gland responsible for thermogenesis, is not yet 100% functional. Over the weeks, the baby matures, but it will be necessary to wait until around two years old so that he is perfectly able to regulate his temperature, like adults. 

In the meantime, the baby is very sensitive to variations in outside temperatures, he struggles to regulate his body temperature, is easily too hot or too cold. Thus, it is not uncommon for his little feet to be cold when the temperature is quite pleasant, or that he is sweating (especially in the skull, whose volume is proportionally very large compared to his body) then that it’s not that hot. This phenomenon of sweating is normal: this is how his body reacts so as not to be too hot. The small droplets of sweat help it to cool off. 

As a parent, it is essential to take this thermal immaturity into account when dressing your baby. Depending on the outside temperature, you have to choose the type of clothing, the material and the number of layers to be superimposed. The mistake in the event of a heat wave: lest the baby be cold because he seems so fragile, cover him too much. 

First step, essential: knowing the temperature in the baby’s room or that of his parents if he sleeps there. The ideal is therefore to invest in a thermometer. To limit the heat in the event of a heat wave, it is advisable to keep the shutters closed during the day. As soon as the thermometer drops in the evening (if it does), we open the windows to cool the bedroom before bed. The use of air conditioning or a fan is not recommended, however, baby could catch cold during the night and their dry air is not ideal for his fragile mucous membranes. 

Between 20 and 24 ° C, the baby tolerates a short-sleeved cotton bodysuit and light pajamas very well; the sleeping bag is not necessary. When temperatures exceed 25-26 ° C at night, baby can be left in a bodysuit or t-shirt and diaper. Be careful not to over tighten the diaper and put it as low as possible at the level of the stomach. However, we should avoid leaving him shirtless: he could catch cold when temperatures drop in the early morning, and the fabric helps absorb his perspiration. 

Because every baby is different, it is of course essential to remain attentive and to adapt. Does he sweat a lot during the night? His pajamas are wet? It is surely too covered, we remove a diaper or we opt for a less thick fabric. 

In addition to the type of clothing, it is important to choose their material well. The ideal being natural materials such as cotton or linen which let the skin breathe, unlike synthetic materials which tend to make you sweat (this is also true for adults), and can be irritating for the baby’s fragile skin. Heat rash and other dermatitis are quick to come in summer. Another interesting material: bamboo. Naturally antibacterial, it is also absorbent and antiperspirant.  

Choose organic textiles (GUTS, Ecocert or Oeko-Tex for example). Their production conditions respect the environment, and guaranteed without chemicals, they are more respectful of the baby’s health, very vulnerable to toxic substances. Her skin, very thin, absorbs three times more chemicals than that of an adult, and her body is not yet capable of breaking down all these pollutants. 

As soon as the fabric is damp with perspiration, change the baby to avoid irritation and cold snap. Also avoid anything that could annoy or irritate: buttons, small bows, zippers, smocks, ruffles and other frills that are certainly pretty, but often uncomfortable for the baby. Bet on simple and loose clothing: romper, bodysuit, playsuit, wide dress. Also to be avoided: headbands for little girls, far too hot on their little heads.

For outings, it is also advisable to adapt the baby’s outfit according to the outside temperature. Above 25 ° C, light short-sleeved pajamas, a playsuit or a bodysuit are sufficient. Wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses (CE marking, protection index 3 or 4) compulsory, even if of course, it is strongly recommended not to expose your baby to the sun. 

Babywearing in a sling is a physiological method of carrying for the baby, but in the event of a heat wave, he can quickly feel very hot coiled in the fabric, right against the body of his mother or father who are also hot. 

In the event of a heat wave, it is better to avoid going out at the hottest hours of the day and opt for a short stroll early in the morning or in the evening. 

Also pay attention to air-conditioned places, where baby can quickly catch cold if there is little cover due to the heatwave outside. It is therefore best to avoid these places. No shopping with baby in air-conditioned places – which are moreover not recommended for infants, heat wave or not. In the car, care should also be taken to set the air conditioning to a reasonable temperature (23-24 ° C) to avoid the “fridge effect”, which is difficult for the baby to manage. Provide a small additional layer (cotton bodysuit or playsuit) depending on the temperature in the passenger compartment, and a small cotton swaddle to cover it.