Heat Stress in Babies: Prevention & Warning Signs | Parenting Hub
Babies overheat quickly — in the pram, the car, the cot. Here's how to spot heat stress and what to do.
Babies don't regulate temperature like adults do — they heat up fast in prams, cars and cots. Here's how to prevent, recognise and treat overheating.
Prevent
- NEVER leave a baby in a parked car, even for a moment — interior temperatures soar in minutes
- Don't cover the pram with a muslin — it traps heat (use a clip-on shade)
- Dress in light, breathable layers; wide-brim hat outdoors
- Offer more frequent breast/formula feeds in heat (don't give water to under 6 months unless GP says)
- Keep baby out of direct sun under 6 months
- Stay in air-conditioned spaces in extreme heat
Heat stress signs (early)
- Flushed face, hot and dry skin
- Irritability, harder to settle
- Faster breathing and heart rate
- Fewer wet nappies
Heatstroke (emergency)
- Very high body temperature
- Vomiting, refusing fluids
- Drowsy, floppy, hard to rouse
- Convulsion
- Stops sweating — skin hot and dry
What to do
For heat stress: move to a cool room, remove extra clothing, offer fluids, gentle damp sponge with lukewarm (not cold) water, skin-to-skin in a cool environment. For suspected heatstroke: call 000 and start cooling while you wait.
When to seek help
- Baby left in a car — break a window if needed, call 000
- Floppy, drowsy or unresponsive
- Seizure, vomiting won't stop
- No wet nappies for 6+ hours in a hot day
Common questions
Can I give my baby water in summer?
Under 6 months: no — extra breast/formula feeds only. Over 6 months: small sips of cooled boiled water with feeds is fine.