Children are more susceptible to excessive ambient heat because they weigh less, produce less sweat than adults do, their body temperature rises faster and they adapt less well to high temperatures.
Childcare
Facing high temperatures with children
- Avoid sun exposure between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Protect your skin with a water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of at least 25.
- After bathing it is important to dry off. Having water on the skin intensifies the effect of the sun’s rays.
- If you need to take them outside, make sure they are kept in the shade.
- Make sure their head is covered by wearing a cap with a visor or hat, and opt for light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing made of natural fabrics (cotton, for example).
- Bring water.
- A cool atmosphere is all the better. The coolest room in the house is ideal for playing, sleeping or socialising.
- Avoid rooms with asbestos cement roofs, as these make the environment hotter.
- If you are using the air conditioning, set the temperature low enough to keep you cool without making you feel cold.
- Take care with sudden temperature changes, as babies and young children find it harder to adapt to them.
- Shower or bathe the baby and children in general several times a day, if necessary. The application of wet towels also help to refresh the skin.
- Avoid overdressing and staying in enclosed, sun-exposed places without air conditioning, such as cars, sheds, or tents.
- If you have parked your car in the sun, remember to open the doors and windows before getting in and wait for the interior temperature to drop.
What should you drink and eat?
- If your baby is under six months old and being breastfed, they do not need water. If there is high ambient heat or fluid loss due to diarrhoea or vomiting, simply increasing the number of feedings is sufficient. However, the mother must also maintain good hydration by consuming fruits, vegetables and fluids — especially water — in quantities exceeding two or three litres per day.
- If you are exclusively bottle-feeding your baby, remember not to alter the water-to-powder ratio as advised by the manufacturer. In this case, you can offer him boiled or bottled water between milk feeds. Baby bottles should be prepared just before feeding when it’s hot.
- Until they are 12 months old, babies only need to drink about 1 litre of water a day. This can come from breast milk, juice, fruit and vegetables.
- From the age of one, fluid intake increases, with water being the preferred choice, up to almost three litres, and natural juices.
- Eat more fruit and vegetables and avoid large, high-fat meals and drinks that are high in sugar.
In case of signs of dehydration, sunstroke or heatstroke:
- Administer water or glucose-saline solutions orally as long as he is conscious.
- Place them in a cool, well-ventilated area.
- Moisten or wrap their body in damp sheets.
- In case of loss of consciousness, place the child on their side.
- If vomiting or other associated symptoms occur, you should seek medical assistance.
Take extra precautions against the heat in case of:
- Premature or low birth weight babies.
- Treatment with certain medications.
- Chronic conditions or acute illnesses accompanied by fever, vomiting or diarrhoea.