BRITS are set for a sizzling hot couple of days, with highs of 34C on what is being labelled "Fiery Friday".
With the UK's summer starting with a bang, parents should be aware of how to keep their babies and kids safe in the warm weather, including at night time.
Just like adults, babies and young children can have a hard time sleeping when the temperature is so hot.
Babies aren't even able to regulate their own body temperature.
The NHS says you should keep your baby under six months out of direct sunlight at all times, while those who are older should at least be in the shade between 11am and 3pm.
You should put suncream on their skin and make sure they are wearing a wide-brim hat at all times, as a sunburnt baby is the worst outcome.
But what about in the evening, when you can't watch over your baby or toddler as they sleep?
The Lullaby Trust - a charity for preventing cot deaths - says a baby's room should be between 16 and 20C.
Lucy Shrimpton, a sleep expert who goes by "The Sleep Nanny", said: "Babies sleep well in a room that is between 16-20C.
"But with this warm weather it might be difficult to keep the room temperature anywhere near that in a country where we do not typically have air conditioned homes. So what can you do to avoid your little one overheating?"
She shared her easy tips on keeping your litte ones cool and safe in their bedroom this summer.
Create a breeze during the day by opening the windows.
Open your loft hatch to allow heat to escape. Pull curtains two thirds of the way across to block out hot sun.
Get a room thermometer so you know which rooms of your house are the hottest.
If the room is very hot, for example over 25 degrees, a nappy and a thin vest may suffice.
If the temperature is between 20-23 degrees, a short baby grow or shorts and T-shirt or a nappy and a one tog sleep sack should be okay.
If the baby is too young for any kind of bedding, dress them in suitable clothing for the room temperature.
Remember, no matter how hot it is at bedtime, the temperature will drop in the night so don’t put your baby in his cot in just a nappy if it will drop below 25C in the night.
Hands and feet get colder than the rest of the body.
If you are unsure about your baby's temperature, feel the back of their neck or use a thermometer.
If the face is redder than usual or he has a rash or you notice rapid breathing, these could be signs of overheating.
A slightly cooler bath than usual before bed will relieve clamminess and refresh them. Make it quick so they don’t get too cold.
Use cotton sheets only. Avoid waterproof mattress covers as they hold heat and will make your child sweat.
Place bottles of frozen water in your baby’s room. They will help cool the air as they melt overnight.
Place the iced bottles in front of an electric fan so cool air will circulate the room.
Your child may need to drink more than usual.
Refrigerate cold water to be used during the night. Breastfed babies will stay hydrated on breast milk.
A calm baby will remain cooler than a frustrated one.
Maintain a calming bedtime routine and offer reassurance and comfort if your baby is agitated.
Dab a cold flannel on your child’s head to soothe them.
If you cannot keep your child cool in their own room, move them temporarily to a different one.
Bear in mind that the temperature will drop throughout the night.
Babies will be comfortable dressed for temperatures as you would dress yourself.
Remember, you can pull the covers off but they cannot - so imagine you are going to bed without any bed covers and how you would feel if you got chilly later on.
Your baby is likely to become restless if feeling too hot or too cold so he may let you know.
Bizarre guidance tells monkeypox patients to ‘masturbate six feet from partner’
Two new Omicron sub-variants are 'driving rebound in infections' as cases spike
Urgent warning over life-threatening mistake most parents make in hot weather
A look at where Dr Fauci is now
© 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP