mother and toddler at beachParents are desperate to know the best way to keep babies cool as UK hit with heatwave [Getty]

Britain’s heatwave has seen temperatures soar to over 30 degrees. 

Parents are desperate to know how to keep their babies cool in the scorching weather, especially as an amber weather warning has been issued advising children and the elderly to stay out of the heat.

Babies are unable to control their temperatures, so parents have to monitor their child’s temperature regularly in the summer. 

Here is everything you need to know about keeping your little one cool to make the summer months more bearable for them, according to the NHS website.

UK has been hit with scorching heat with temperatures over 30 degreesUK has been hit with scorching heat with temperatures over 30 degrees [Getty]


According to the NHS, it is acceptable when temperatures rise to an all time high for babies to wear less clothes, and even sleep in just a nappy. 

Abi Thomas – who is a maternity nurse and sleep consultant – has advised parents to put their child in either a baby grow or just a nappy when it is above 27 degrees in their nursery. 

When temperatures are between 24 and 27 degrees, she advises them to dress their little ones in a short sleeved t-shirt and a 0.5 tog sleeping bag, add a long sleeve baby grow and swap a 0.5 tog sleeping bag to 1 tog in 21-23 degree heat. 

But when temperatures drop to below 16 degrees layer your baby in a baby grow, jumpsuit, and 2.5 tog sleeping bag. 

babyParents are advised to let their newborns sleep in just nappies as temperatures soar [Getty]


As soon as temperatures rise everyone is advised to drink more water to avoid dehydration, this also includes babies. 

For babies who are still breastfeeding the mother is advised to introduce more feeds, because breast milk is equally as hydrating as water for a baby. 

The NHS reads: “If you're breastfeeding your baby, you don't need to give them water as well as breast milk. But they may want to breastfeed more than usual. “

If parents are bottle feeding their child then use cooled boiled water throughout the day, and babies above six months old can try diluted fruit juice or ice cubes. 

babyParents are advised to keep newborns out of the sun [Getty]


It is vital for parents to ensure their babies are protected when the sun is beaming down.

Children under six months old should avoid direct sunlight, as the NHS website has stated their skin has “too little melanin”, which provides some protection from the sun’s rays.

Older children are advised to stay out of the sun during the peak hours of 11am and 3pm. 

It is essential when babies are in the sun a parasol or sun protector is added to the pushchair, a sunhat to protect their head and neck is worn, as well as a sun protection with SPF worn at all times and re-applied regularly.

babyParents are advised to keep their children put of the sunlight in peak times, and apply spf to them regularly [Getty]


The NHS has advised parents to keep a thermometer in their child’s room to monitor the temperature of their nursery, and checking it is not too hot or too cold – with the most comfortable temperature being between 16 and 20 degrees. 

Parents are advised to keep blinds and curtains closed to keep the sunlight out of the room to maintain a cool temperature, and a fan can also be used to keep it cooler.

Babies can still enjoy baths but at a cooler temperature to help cool them down. 

While just a nappy can be worn to sleep, a single bed sheet may be preferable, but make sure it is a “well-secured sheet that won't work loose and cover their face or get entangled during the night”, the NHS has advised.