Top tips for keeping your baby safe in Summer
The sun is finally out and many families are taking their summer holidays. We want families to enjoy the summer and keep their baby safe, but we know following safer sleep advice can be more difficult at this time of year.
Temperature
The chance of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is higher in babies who get too hot and keeping them cool in the summer can be tricky. Every baby is different and our advice on room temperature of 16-20c is intended as a guide. It is important that parents check their baby regularly to see if they are too hot. Here are some ideas for keeping babies cool.
Top tips for hot rooms:
- Close the blinds/ curtains and, if safe to do so, keep a window open during the day to keep the room from getting too hot.
- Putting a fan in the bedroom can help circulate the air, but make sure it is out of reach - and not pointed difectly at the baby
- Reduce layers; just a nappy with no bedding is fine in hot weather
- Monitor the room temprature with a thermometre if you can
It is also important babies are cool when out and about. We advise using a clip-on sunshade for the pram.
DO NOT COVER PRAMS - prams should not be covered with blankets, cloths or any cover that prevents the air from circulating.
Following a safer sleep routine on holiday
It is important that safer sleep advice is followed for every sleep period. We know from Child Death Overview Panel reports that a change in circumstance, such as family holidays, can mean that the advice hasn’t been followed and sadly babies have died.
Ensure that parents know our key message to reduce the risk of SIDS: Put babies on their BACK for every sleep in a CLEAR, FLAT SLEEP PLACE. Keep them SMOKE FREE day and night.
On holiday a travel cot is a great way to achieve this. The mattresses are often thinner and feel harder but remind parents not to place folded blankets or a quilt under the baby to make them ‘more comfortable’.
Visit the Lullaby Trust for more information - you can also follow them on twitter @LullabyTrust.