Keeping your baby safe in the sun

Babies and young children can become ill during very hot weather. Their health can be seriously affected by:

Try these tips for keeping your child happy and healthy in the heat.

Sun safety

Keep your baby cool and protect them from the sun.

Babies under 6 months old should be kept out of direct sunlight. Older babies should also be kept out of the sun as much as possible, particularly in the summer and between 11am and 3pm, when the sun is at its strongest.
If you go out when it's hot, attach a parasol or sunshade to your baby's pushchair to keep them out of direct sunlight. Do not cover your baby's pushchair or pram with a blanket because it could lead to overheating. Check on them regularly to make sure they're not getting too hot.
Do not dress your baby in too many layers. Choose lightweight clothing.
If your baby is 6 months or over, apply a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 50 to their skin (sunscreen is not recommended for babies under 6 months). Make sure the product also protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Many brands produce sunscreen specifically for babies and young children, as these products are less likely to contain additives that might irritate the skin. Use plenty of sunscreen and apply it regularly (every 2 hours). Re-apply it immediately after swimming or sweating.
Make sure your child wears loose-fitting clothing, sunglasses and a sunhat with a wide brim or a long flap at the back to protect their head, ears and neck from the sun.

Like adults, babies and young children need to drink plenty of fluids to avoid becoming dehydrated.

Fully breastfed babies do not need any water until they've started eating solid foods. During hot weather they may want to breastfeed more than usual.
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.
Remember you can ask your health visitor or another health professional for advice about any baby care issue, advice will then be tailored to meet your baby's needs.

Once you have started to introduce solid foods, you should offer your baby sips of water from a cup or beaker with meals. Remember that breastmilk or infant formula should be their main drinks during the first year. In hot weather, you may need to offer some additional water outside of mealtimes.

Water, breast milk or whole cows' milk should be your baby's main drinks. In hot weather, you can try giving them frozen lollies made from plain water or from very diluted fruit juice to help keep them hydrated. Lollies made from diluted fruit juice should only be given at mealtimes because they can cause tooth decay.
For older children, give them plenty of fruit and salad to help keep their fluid levels up. Remember that undiluted fruit juice or smoothies should not be given to children until they are 5 years old, as these can also cause tooth decay.

Follow these tips to help keep your children cool and safe during hot weather.

Do not leave babies or children in small, enclosed spaces, such as a parked car, as they can get hot very quickly.
Playing in a paddling pool is a good way of keeping babies and children cool. Keep the pool in the shade during very hot weather and supervise the children carefully at all times.
Run them a cool bath before bedtime.
Keep your child's bedroom cool during the day by closing blinds or curtains. You can also use a fan to circulate the air in the room. Do not aim the fan directly at your child as this could make them dehydrated.
Keep nightwear and bedclothes to a minimum. Your baby can just wear a nappy. If they’re hot or sweaty, remove 1 or more layers of bedclothes.
A nursery thermometer will help you monitor the temperature of your baby's room. Your baby will sleep most comfortably when their room is between 16C and 20C. You can also keep the door of your baby’s room open and open their bedroom window (if it’s safe to do so).