WITH the UK facing some of the hottest weather it has seen for a long time, families are enjoying the sunshine.
But it’s important to remember sun safety, especially when it comes to babies and young children who are less able to regulate heat.
Babies can get sick during hot weather and certain steps must be carried out to keep them cool and protect them from the sun’s rays.
Covering your baby’s stroller with a blanket for shade might seem like a good idea.
But an expert has issued a stark warning saying it could increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Kate Holmes, Head of Support and Information at The trust of the lullabyThe charity which aims to prevent unexpected childhood deaths, said: “We advise not covering your baby’s pram with a blanket or cloth as this can cause it to overheat, which increases the chance of SIDS.”
SIDS, also known as ‘crib death’, is the sudden, unexpected and unexplained death of a healthy baby.
Kate adds: “Having a barrier between the parent/guardian and the baby is also a bit risky as it makes it difficult to easily monitor the baby’s temperature or easily see if the baby is having any difficulties.”
SIDS usually occurs when the baby is sleeping, but it can happen while the baby is awake.
Babies who die from SIDS are thought to have problems regulating their heart rate, breathing and temperature.
In the UK, around 200 babies die suddenly and unexpectedly every year.
So what’s the safest thing to do? Opt for a clip-on umbrella or parasol, Kate said.
She explained: “This will help keep your baby in the shade but still allow air to circulate and still provide a clear view of your baby. Try to keep your baby out of direct sunlight.
The Lullaby Trust offers some additional steps to protect your sleeping baby during hot weather, whether outdoors or indoors.
Firstly, make sure that the room where your baby sleeps has a fairly low temperature, 16 to 20°C.
This can be more difficult in the summer months or if you are on holiday somewhere hot.
Other things you can do:
- Use lighter bedding and clothing and fewer layers
- Open the bedroom door and a window if it is safe to do so
- Baby sleeping bags will have guidance on what clothes to wear in each season
- Use a fan to cool the room, but don’t point it directly at the baby
- Keep curtains closed during the day
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Babies under six months should be kept out of direct sunlight, advises the NHS, as their skin contains very little melanin – a substance in the body that protects from the sun.
Older babies should be kept out of the sun as much as possible, particularly between 11am and 3pm during the summer.
Applying sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 to their skin and ensuring they wear a wide-brimmed or back-brimmed hat can help protect their head and neck from the sun.
And it’s very important to ensure that babies and young children stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
Recognizing the signs that your baby may be affected by heat is also very important.
Kate said: “We recommend checking your baby’s chest and/or neck to ensure the skin isn’t damp or sweaty to the touch (hands and feet will always feel colder to the touch).
“Warm is good, but if it’s sweaty or damp, it means they’re too hot, so remove a layer of bedding or whatever they’re wearing.
“In very hot weather, just a vest is fine.”
If you are worried that your baby is unwell at any time, contact your GP or call NHS 111.
O health the service adds if your baby stops breathing or turns blue, is having difficulty breathing, is unconscious or appears unconscious of what is happening, does not wake up and/or has a seizure for the first time, even if they appear to recover, dial 999 and ask for an ambulance.
What is SIDS?
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) occurs while the baby is sleeping and usually occurs in the first six months of the baby’s life, but can last until one year of age.
In the UK, around 200 babies die suddenly and unexpectedly every year. In the US, the number is 3,400.
The cause of SIDS – that is, how exactly it occurs – is not known.
The NHS states: “Experts believe that SIDS occurs at a specific stage in a baby’s development and that it affects babies who are vulnerable to certain environmental stresses.
“This vulnerability may be caused by premature birth or low birth weight, or for other reasons that have not yet been identified.
“Environmental stress may include tobacco smoke, getting tangled up in bedding, a minor illness or respiratory obstruction. There is also an association between sleeping with your baby on a couch or chair and SIDS.
“Babies who die from SIDS are thought to have problems in the way they respond to this stress and in the way they regulate their heart rate, breathing and temperature.”
Although the death rate from SIDS has decreased since the 1990s, as more information has become available, parents should still think about risk factors for SIDS.
This includes removing blankets, stuffed animals, and pillows from your baby’s bed.
Parents should be careful when putting their child to sleep, making sure the baby is lying on their back and that there is nothing with them in the crib.
Allowing a baby to sleep on their stomach can block their airways or cause air breathing, which means they are rebreathing their own exhaled air.
When this happens, the oxygen level in the body drops and the carbon dioxide level increases.
Parents should not share a bed with their baby if they smoke or use recreational drugs, take medications that cause drowsiness, or have been drinking.
They should never share a bed with a baby who weighed less than 2.5kg at birth, nor sleep with the baby on a sofa or armchair.
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