I love the warm weather. A chance to remove a few layers and feel the heat on my bones, for as long as it lasts.
Our little ones often don’t cope very well in the heat, particularly when they are tired. While we are able to strip off a layer or reposition ourselves overnight, many babies don’t have that luxury. So, I have put together a quick guide for baby's sleep when the temperatures go up.
Allow your little ones to sleep in an airy space - they don’t need extra blankets or bedding. Remove bumpers and any extra items from their crib to let air flow freely around them; open doors and windows to allow a breeze to flow through the rooms. Mum used to put us in our prams outside in the garden under the shade of a tree and we would sleep for hours. Outdoor sleeping is glorious, but prams can get warm as it’s a small space so keep an eye on your little ones as they sleep. Don’t forget sunscreen, even in the shade.
If your baby is sleeping indoors, perhaps use a fan in their room before they go down to sleep to allow the room to cool down. You can leave it running while they sleep but don’t point the air directly at them. You can also keep the room cool by leaving curtains and blinds pulled during the day so sunlight doesn’t get in and heat up the room. Remember, an ideal room temperature is between 16-20 degrees Celsius – 18 degrees being optimum.
Keep your baby or toddler hydrated by offering extra drinks during the day. You can keep them cool with a damp facecloth from time to time. Some little ones are naturally 'sweaty babies' and this can be quite normal. If they are feeling hot to the touch, however, try and cool them down by opening the windows and letting some air in.
With my sleep coaching hat on, and because you don’t want to change too much in terms of bedtime and settling to sleep (be it in the Irish warm weather, or on holidays), I would encourage the use of a sleep bag for little ones as they can be a great sleep association for them. Leave them out of pyjamas and place them in a light vest. There is also no problem letting them sleep in their nappies. The sleep sacks have different togs (just like duvets) so you can get really light ones for summer.
Let’s enjoy the warmer weather while it lasts, but stay safe. It goes without saying that your baby should not be left to sleep in the car, no matter what temperature it is.
Niamh O’Reilly is a sleep coach. She's also a baby and childcare guru, a 'parent nanny' and the answer to many a weary parent's woes. When it comes to baby and child issues, Niamh is your woman. Always on hand to offer a no-nonsense solution, in an approachable way. A regular in the Irish media, (most recently as TV3’s Late Lunch Show's 'parent nanny') over the next while at HerFamily.ie, Niamh will share some of her experiences, helping you attain that ‘holy grail’ – nights of uninterrupted sleep for all of the family.
Niamh's book, No Fuss Baby & Toddler Sleep, is now available to buy from all good book stores or online from Amazon.com.
