Hot weather & overheating

The numbers that matter

What	Target
Normal body temperature (rectal)	36.6 to 38.0 °C (97.9 to 100.4 °F)
Fever = call the doctor (under 3 months)	38.0 °C (100.4 °F) or higher
Ideal room temperature for sleep	16 to 20 °C (hard in a heatwave, the tips below help)
Wet diapers	at least 6 in 24 hours

Signs baby is too hot or getting dehydrated

• Behavior: sudden thrashing or heavy kicking during sleep, unusual fretfulness.
• Body: flushed or pale skin, neck and chest feeling hot or sweaty, rapid breathing.
• Lethargy: hard to wake for feeds, floppy, weak responses.
• Dehydration: dry or sticky mouth, crying without tears, a sunken soft spot (fontanelle), fewer than 6 wet diapers in 24 hours.

Cooling the room and the baby (room over about 26 to 30 °C)

• Sleep outfit: just a diaper. Skip onesies, sleep sacks and blankets entirely.
• Sleep surface: a firm, flat mattress with a single tight cotton sheet, nothing else in the crib.
• Air: keep windows open for airflow, but move the crib out of direct drafts and direct sun. A fan is fine if it is not blowing straight at baby.
• Body cooling: wipe baby down with a lukewarm damp washcloth. Never use cold water, it makes the body trap heat.
• Hydration: offer breast milk (or formula) more often than usual. No plain water and no electrolyte drinks for a baby this young. Milk is both food and drink.
• Daytime: stay in the shade, babies under 6 months should never be in direct sunlight. Never leave a baby in a parked car, not even for a minute.