Is Baby Overheating? How to spot it and how to respond!

July 14, 2021

As a parent, keeping your little one comfortable year-round is a top priority! While summer weather sure has plenty of perks, on the flipside, babies are more susceptible to overheating in warmer temperatures. While warm weather is more likely to cause overheating than cooler weather, it is still possible anytime, regardless of the temperature. Overheating can pose serious danger to babies and being proactive to prevent that from happening is key. We have compiled a list of warning signs to look out for, ways to prevent overheating, as well as how you should respond if it does happen.

If you notice your baby displaying the following physical signs, it is a good indication that their body is dangerously warm:

Redness of the skin
Heat Rash
Baby’s body feeling warm or even hot
Vomiting or lethargy
Rapid breathing accompanied by a rapid heartbeat
Fever without visible sweating
Sweat visible on baby’s body or around their head and hair

There are certainly ways you can work to avoid this happening! Here are some tips to prevent overheating:

When dressing your baby for the day, be sure to dress them appropriately for the weather. We have a full post on tips and tricks for dressing your little one right here: How To Dress Baby in Winter & Summer | Dressing Baby for Sleep
Our next tip addresses the temperature in baby’s room for sleeping. An uncomfortable baby is a restless baby, so be sure that the room feels comfortable and their sleep attire is appropriate for the temperature. As an adult, the room should feel comfortable to you…not too hot and not too cold. Be sure that vents are open and the air is flowing comfortably. If you begin to notice your baby sweating in their sleep, this tells you that you need to adjust the temperature to keep them cool.
If you plan to spend long periods of time outdoors in warm and sunny weather, these are some points to consider to keep them safe from the sun: Safest Sunscreen for Babies | Baby Sunscreen Ingredients - Organicbabyfood.shop
Here are some additional ways to bond with baby while being mindful of the heat: The Sweetness of Having a Summer Baby
Always be sure to regularly offer your little one plenty of liquids to drink, regardless of the temperature! Hydrated babies are happy babies!
If baby is in a stroller, consider using a stroller fan for extra air flow
If baby is riding in their car seat, be sure vents are able to reach them
If you use a car seat cover over the top of an infant carrier, remove it when exposed to warmth because that can cause immediate overheating! Even in cooler weather, be sure to check the air flow inside their seat regularly if you use a cover.

If your little one does overheat, it is important to respond right away! Here are things you can do to help:

Cool them down with a cold wash cloth
Bathe them in lukewarm water
Offer a hydrating liquid such as coconut water
Dress them in just a diaper and move to a cooler space
If in doubt, call your pediatrician!

It is important to be mindful of your baby’s comfort because they are not able to do this for themselves. Being too warm can be damaging to their health. We do hope these tips help you to feel prepared to enjoy the fun parts of summer weather while preventing overheating altogether!