I’m a parenting expert and I know how to keep your kids cool during the heatwave and make sure they STILL sleep through the night

With summer here and a heat wave looming, babies and toddlers are particularly vulnerable to overheating.

It’s extremely important to keep young children and babies cool in the sweltering heat, especially since they can’t tell us when they’re too hot.

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According to the NHS, overheating can lead to an increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

In conversation with The mirror Sleep nanny Lucy Shrimpton shared some of her top tips for keeping babies and toddlers from overheating.

Dress the baby appropriately for the heat

Your baby could overeat at night if not wearing appropriate clothing.

Lucy says that if the room is quite hot, say over 25 degrees for most of the night, it’s good for the baby to sleep in just a diaper and a thin undershirt, rather than tucking him into pajamas.

If the room is between 20 and 23 degrees, she suggests dressing them in a short romper or shorts and t-shirt style pajamas.

In hot temperatures, you should only use cotton sheets and avoid waterproof mattress pads – these can store heat and make your baby sweat more.

A nice refreshing bath before bed

A quick bath before bed can cool your baby down from the day’s activities.

Either lukewarm water or something colder than usual will do just fine – just make sure the water isn’t too cold.

Get a room thermometer

A room thermometer is a useful item to buy as it takes all the guesswork out of making sure your baby is dressed appropriately for the temperature in their bedroom.

Check the baby’s temperature and make sure it is correct

The best way to check your baby’s temperature is to use a thermometer as this will give the most accurate result.

If you don’t have a thermometer, you’ll need to check if they’re hot to the touch.

The NHS says:

“When you examine your baby, make sure he’s not too hot. If your baby is sweating or his tummy feels hot, remove some of the bedding.

“Don’t worry if her hands or feet feel chilly—that’s normal.”

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Keep your baby calm

As a baby or toddler becomes more and more frustrated, it can also cause their temperature to rise and cause overheating.

To counteract this, simply get a cool washcloth or cold compress and gently pat baby on it.

Try to create a breeze

Open any windows on the floor your baby sleeps on to create a flow of air that can help keep them cool.

You can also try drawing the curtains two-thirds of the way to block out the hot sun. If you do this with the windows open, the sun will not shine directly on your baby and will let in a breeze to prevent overheating.

Another option is to open your attic hatch if you have one – this allows heat to rise and escape through the roof.

Consider moving the baby’s room

If you are able, consider moving your baby to a cooler room in the house.

Obviously, this may not be an option for everyone – just follow some of Lucy’s other tips to keep your baby from overheating.

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