How hot is *too* hot for baby to go outside?
RuslanDashinsky/Getty
Take these important steps to prevent heat-related illness in little ones.
We independently select and share the products we love—and may receive a commission if you choose to buy.
Table of Contents
Summer can be so fun, but it can also be so, so hot. After a busy year, parents are ready to hit all the beaches, pools and parks with their kids, despite the heat. The great outdoors (and your own backyard!) never looked so good, even as the temperature rises.
But in some situations, it may actually be too hot to take your baby outside. Given that much of the country is under heat advisory warnings lately, and heat records are breaking across the globe, it’s important to be mindful of the weather—and whether it’s safe for your little one. The CDC warns infants and children are more prone to developing heat-related illness than adults.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests parents avoid taking babies outside for long stretches of time if the heat index is greater than 90ºF. Being outside for long periods can cause babies to overheat quickly, and remember, babies can’t sweat to cool themselves down—or tell you they’re too hot or feeling unwell.
A heat wave and rising temps doesn’t have to mean an end to all summer family fun, but there are a few important steps parents should take to prevent heat-related illness and injury in little ones. Here are some sun safety tips to help protect your kids of all ages this summer.
4 heat wave safety tips for babies and kids
1. Schedule play around the sun
If you’ve got little kids who have to get outdoors, or you just like to take your baby for a walk in the stroller, you still can as long as you pick the right time of day. The CDC recommends limiting outdoor activity to when it’s coolest, like morning and evening hours. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) takes it a bit further and cautions against outdoor activities between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.. Basically, midday is a great time to head inside for lunch and a nap and some quiet indoor playtime.
If you do need to be outside during the hottest portion of the day, take regular breaks to cooler places every 15 to 30 minutes.
Beach days are a blast, but check the weather report and air quality first. The hottest day of the year might not be the best for beach-going, as you could risk heat illness or heat exhaustion in kids.
Signs of heat exhaustion in kids
According to Nemours Kids Health, here’s what to look out for:
- Muscle cramps
- Increased thirst
- Nausea and vomiting
- Irritability
- Headache
- Increased sweating
- Weakness and extreme tiredness
- Fainting
- Cool, clammy skin
- Body temperature rises, but to less than 105°F (40.5°C)
2. Remember: Sunscreen for the whole family
When you do go outside, make sure to slather on the sunscreen first, as a sunburn can affect the body’s ability to cool down. Use an SPF of 30 or 50 (along with a hat and sunglasses) 30 minutes before sun exposures for kids over 6 months old. The AAP recommends shade and adequate clothing as the first line of sun defense for babies under 6 months old, but even those little ones should get a small amount of sunscreen on areas like the face and the back of their hands if they’ll be exposed to harsh sun. And if you’re in the pool or outside for more than a couple of hours? Reapply.
3. Avoid using blankets as sun blockers
When the sun’s rays are intense, parents naturally look for ways to keep the sun off a baby’s delicate skin, but experts warn the common practice of draping a blanket (even a very thin muslin one) over a stroller or car seat can increase a baby’s temperature drastically.
An experiment conducted by a Swedish newspaper found that if it’s 71ºF (22ºC) outside when a stroller is covered with a blanket, the inside of the stroller can reach a scorching 94ºF (34ºC) within about half an hour.
So instead of draping a blanket over the stroller parents, can make use of canopies that attach to the stroller but don’t trap the heat, and should seek shade for the baby as much as possible.
4. Keep everyone hydrated
According to the World Health Organization, babies under 6 months old do not need water, but older children should be offered plenty on hot days, says the CDC. Bottle-fed babies may require more frequent formula feeds in order to stay hydrated in the heat, and breastfeeding babies may want to nurse more than usual during hot weather. That means mama will need to make sure she’s well hydrated, too.
With plenty of water and smart planning, you can enjoy some safe fun in the sun, even when the temperatures are a little intense.
We’ve got what you need to safely beat the heat, mama. Shop some of our simple summer favorites.
A version of this post was originally published July 1, 2020. It has been updated.
Related articles
