Temperatures are set to soar above 30C (86F) in parts of the UK over the next few days, and that poses a particular risk to babies and young children. Their bodies heat up more quickly than adults' and they sweat less, making it more difficult for them to cool down – which means summer has officially arrived, along with the grumbling and sleepless nights.
Getting kids to drink water can be a thankless task, but the answer could be in foods that contain lots of water. From 12 months old, try frozen lollies made from plain water or very diluted fruit juice. For older children, ramp up fruit intake – particularly watermelon and oranges. Eating salad, ice cream, jelly and soup are all good sources of water too. Babies who breastfeed should get all the water they need from breast milk and don't need any extra, says the NHS, but they may want to feed more than normal. If feeding formula, you can give them a little cooled boiled water as well as their usual feeds.
“Temperatures soar above 30C in UK; babies and young children at risk as bodies heat up faster.”
Sunscreen is another minefield. Once-a-day sunscreens overpromise and rarely last as long as they claim to, experts warn. Even if labelled "water repellent" or "water resistant", it should still be reapplied after swimming. Look for two things: the sun protection factor (SPF) from 2 to 50+, and the star rating. The advice is to smother your child with at least SPF 30 and four stars, about 30 minutes before going outside, then reapply every two hours while avoiding the hottest part of the day. Do not forget the tops of their feet, round the ears, their neck and shoulders – which can often get burned. Sunscreen is not recommended for babies under six months, because their skin is sensitive; they should be kept out of direct sunlight completely. Everyone's skin needs protecting, no matter the colour, but those with pale skin, freckles or a history of skin cancer should be extra careful.
Keeping children out of the sun altogether between 11:00 and 15:00 is the easiest way to keep them safe. If you do go out, use a parasol or sunshade – but do not be tempted to cover a pram or pushchair with a muslin cloth or blanket, even if it's in the shade, because it can stop airflow and make the inside too hot. If children are desperate to go to the park or paddle at the beach, wait until it's cooler in the evening. The more skin that is covered, the better the protection – but make sure clothes are loose-fitting. And not all clothes provide equal protection: dark colours are better than light ones.