Keep children cool in hot weather

Shopping for infant clothes is one of the greatest pleasures of new motherhood. Look at that adorable jumper with the pink elephant! The tiny soccer shirt! The mini denim jacket!
But cuteness isn’t the only criteria for choosing baby clothes. Even more than making your baby look adorable, the most important function of those precious little garments is to protect baby from the heat and the cold as well as keep them comfortable all year long.
There are lots of recommendations for dressing babies, but perhaps the most important advice is to know your own child and be alert for signs that he is uncomfortable. “Have confidence in your own intuition,” says Dr Helen Kyokutamba, a paediatrician at Aga Khan Hospital. “Mothers quickly get used to reading their child’s comfort levels, and are able to tell when their baby is too hot or too cold.”
You will soon learn what your baby likes to wear and what keeps him comfortable. In the meantime, here are some starting tips.

Colour and weight matters
Choose loose, light clothes in natural, breathable fabrics such as cotton. Light colours such as pink and sky blue are cooler than darker ones such as army green and navy blues.

Extra shoes
Babies love to take their shoes and socks off when the weather is hot, so make sure you bring extra socks (they come off and get lost easily) and a little bag or something to put shoes in so they do not have to sit next to the bottles in the diaper bag.

If six months or younger
If your baby is younger than six months old, dress him or her in long sleeves and long pants or leggings to protect delicate skin from the sun. For older babies, check with your paediatrician or dermatologist to recommend something for the skin and switch to short sleeves and shorts.

A hat is handy
Have your baby wear a hat with a brim to shield eyes and face from the sun. (Even with all this protection, try to avoid outdoor sun between 10 am and 2 pm when rays are strongest.)

General comfort
Regardless of the temperature, make sure you choose baby clothes that are free of scratchy tags or appliques, velcro with rough edges and tight headbands.
“Don’t forget that babies are already wearing thick diapers which can make them feel a little warmer, make clothes feel a little bulky,” says Dr Kyokutamba.

Things to remember

Babies overheat quickly in hot weather.
Give babies and young children extra drinks in hot weather.
Let babies and young children sleep in the coolest room in the house.
Never leave children in the car because cars become too hot quickly.

Signs of too much heat for babies
Acting restless or listless.
Rapid breathing.
Flushed skin that feels hot to the touch.
Perspiration.

CAUTION
If an infant sweats profusely during hot, humid weather, tiny red bumps may start to cluster on her neck or groin, in the folds of her skin at the back of her knees, or in the crease of her elbows. To relieve heat rash, remove her sticky outfit and dress her in loose cotton clothes (or simply a diaper), and apply baby powder to the affected areas. Keeping her in a cool, well-ventilated room will help relieve symptoms.