How can I keep my baby safe during hot weather?

Babies and young children are at risk of becoming ill during very hot weather. Dehydration, heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and of course sunburn, can all have serious effects on your child's health. But you can reduce the risk by keeping them cool, and protecting them from the sun. Try our tips for keeping your child happy and healthy in the heat:

• Keep your baby out of the sun as much as possible, especially when the sun is at its strongest (between 11am to 3pm). If you do go out on a hot day, attach a umbrella or sunshade to the baby's pushchair to keep them out of direct sunlight, and remember to apply high factor suncream.
• It's important that you and your baby both avoid getting dehydrated, by drinking plenty of fluids. Give your baby plenty of cooled boiled water throughout the day, and at night, if they wake up feeling thirsty. If you're breastfeeding your baby, you do not need to give them water as well as breast milk. However, they may want to breastfeed a little more than usual.
• Try being creative to keep your infant hydrated. If your little one gets bored with water, why not give them a combination of weak squash, ice cubes, and homemade fruit juice lollies throughout the day. Plenty of fruit and salad will also help to keep their fluid levels up.
• Infants and children will love playing in a paddling pool in the garden, and it will help to keep them cool. But remember that the paddling pool should be in the shade, and the children must be carefully supervised at all times.
• Use a high factor sunscreen - there are many brands formulated specifically for babies and young children, offering total sun protection of factor 50 plus. Remember to keep applying the sunscreen regularly, especially if your child is in and out of the sea or a paddling pool.
• A sunhat, preferably one with a wide brim or a long flap at the back, should provide effective protection for your child's head and neck, if they are in the sun.
• A cool bath before bed is often beneficial. Keep bedrooms cool throughout the day by keeping blinds or curtains closed, and if possible buy a fan to circulate the air in the room.
• Keep nightwear and bedclothes to a minimum. If your child wakes in the night without covers, consider putting them in just a diaper with a single layer (0.5 tog) baby sleeping bag or a well-secured sheet (that won't work loose and cover their face or get entangled during the night).
• A nursery thermometer will help you to keep track of the room temperature and whether it is becoming too hot for them. Your baby should sleep most comfortably when the room is between 16C (61F) and 20C (68F).