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How to keep babies and young children cool in the hot weather – how to help them sleep

Brits are enjoying scorching temperatures this week.

The Met Office is forecasting highs of 34C by Saturday afternoon.

Heatwaves can be heaven for those who want to make the most of it with picnics and barbecues.

But it can be hellish for others who struggle to deal with the heat.

Hot weather can be particularly frustrating for parents who worry about their children’s health.

Babies and young children can become ill during hot weather due to dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke or sunburn.

High temperatures could pose a risk to some people, but luckily there is lots of advice on how to keep babies and young children safe and cool.

“If you’re breastfeeding your baby, you don’t need to give them water as well as breast milk”

NHS

“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.”

And for older children, there are ways to make staying hydrated fun – for example diluted fruit juice, ice cubes or homemade juice lollies if they are over six months old.

There are also more ways of helping children stay cool such as playing in a paddling pool.

How to help babies or young children sleep during hot weather:

During the day it can help to keep the blinds closed in the bedroom during the day.

Running a cool bath before bedtime can help too.

The NHS recommends keeping nightwear and bedclothes to a minimum.

If the temperature is above 25C just a nappy and thin cotton vest may be enough.

If they are too young for any kind of bedding just dress them in something suitable for room temperature.

  • Weather forecast

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