As a concerned parent, you never want your little one to be too hot. How to keep baby cool in car seat is a question parents face, especially during the summer.
As you may know, babies sweat a lot. Their sweat glands fully develop at birth and constantly work during the heat to regulate their body temperature.
Remember when your baby is hot, he becomes uncomfortable, his sleep suffers, and he begins to get rash, but there are also other more serious complications.
I will be sharing with you some tips and tricks on how to keep baby cool in car seat without compromising the safety of the car seat.
Why Do Babies Sweat So Much?
Usually, babies have fully developed sweat glands in their heads and necks. Their bodies are believed to be adjusting to being earthside so it is quite understandable that they’re sweating to regulate their temperature.
However, while sweating babies are completely normal, there is some situation that might occur where you may want to contact your pediatrician such as…
- Congenital heart defects
- Hyperhidrosis
- Overheating and SIDS
- Breathing problems
- Thyroid problems
Effects Of Overheating On A Baby
Overheating can still happen during cool months if you aren’t careful. Your baby’s internal temperature should be between 98 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The best way to know if your baby is feeling too hot is to feel the nape of his neck.
If you notice his cheeks are flushed, and they’re breathing rapidly, those are good signs of overheating as well. Just remember, if you’re too warm, then your baby probably is too.
Read Also: Newborn Safety Checklist
10 Proven Tips On How To Keep Baby Cool In Car Seat
I know I may have terrified you with all the talks of overheating, but don’t give up. There are many products and tips you can try to help your baby stay cool in a car seat, especially during the summer. Here are 10 practical tips to try
- White/Light Colored Interior: Did you know that a white or light-colored interior can keep the car up to 50 degrees cooler than black? The same goes for the car seat fabric as well. The car’s interior and exterior color is the primary factor in interior temperatures. Keep this in your mind when buying a vehicle and/or a car seat.
- Ventilated Mesh Fabric: Speaking of car seats, consider one with a ventilated mesh fabric. This helps to improve airflow and improve comfort.
- Block The Sun: When possible, park in a garage or shaded areas to stop the sun from beating directly on your vehicle, trapping hot air inside. Tinted windows can help keep a car cooler and block UV radiation if allowed in your area. Also, reflective sunshades can help reduce the interior temperature in your car by 15 degrees and the dashboard temperature by 40 degrees.
- Breathable Car Seat Liner: Use a breathable car seat liner like Buy Buy Babies’ Cool Mee seat liner. This helps prevent heat buildup with fabric, allowing air to flow more easily.
- Dress Baby Lightly: Dress your baby lightly and cool the car for some minutes before buckling him up (Make sure metal buckles are not hot, which could quickly burn her delicate skin).
- Put On A/C: Once in the vehicle, point your front A/C vents up towards the ceiling to help direct airflow to the back seat. Crack the open back window to help circulate the air.
- Cooling Towels: This is another way to cool your baby down by using evaporative cooling towels.
- Car Seat Sunshades: A car seat sunshade with a transparent-tested shade hood can help protect your baby from 99% of the sun’s UVA and UVB rays and still allow him to feed his eyes.
- Consider A Noggle: This fabric-covered piece of flexible ductwork supplies air from a front vent directly to your baby. This is the best recommended for rear-facing car seats.
- White/Light Colored Blanket: Cover the car seat with a white or light-colored receiving blanket while not in use, and then slightly open all car windows so that you trap heat. It will help keep the car seat from absorbing excess heat.
Read Also: When Do Toddlers Stop Using Car Seats
Other Frequently Asked Questions About Babies, Sweat, And Overheating
How To Know When Baby Is Overheating?
The best way to know if your baby is overheating is when the indicator that your baby is when their core temperature has risen. Your baby’s ideal internal temperature is between 98 and 100 degrees. If you touch the nape of your baby’s neck and notice it is hot, this could indicate that your baby is overheating.
Also, when you see an excessive amount of sweat on your baby’s body, this indicates that your baby is overheating. Additionally, watch out for flushed cheeks, development of heat rash, or rapid breathing. If you notice any of these signs, try cooling your baby off using one of the tips above.
Do I Need To Give My Baby Water To Keep Him Hydrated In The Summer?
Do not give an infant under six months old water. Usually, babies get all the water they need from breast milk or formula. Giving your baby water instead of breast milk fills their belly without giving them any nutrients.
Additionally, allowing your baby to drink too much water can lead to water intoxication, which could lead to seizures. When your baby gets to six months of age, you can begin giving him up to two servings of 8 ounces of water per day.
During the hot time, give your baby water in a sippy cup to ensure they stay hydrated. This is another great way to keep your baby cool in a car seat. If they are old enough, give him a sip of ice water.
Read Also: How To Disassemble And Wash Peg Perego Car Seat
How Can I Dress Baby During Outdoors?
The best way to dress your baby outdoor is to dress him in a light layer of clothing. This provides a little sun protection for your baby as well.
Protecting your baby from too much sunlight is very important because the FDA (Food & Drug Administration) does not recommend the use of sunscreen on babies less than six months old.
How Hot Is Too Hot For My Baby?
There is no official report from the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) regarding babies and how they interact with heating.
As a general rule for babies (and adults), the body tends to struggle with maintaining a cool temperature when subjected to an outdoor environment of about 80 degrees.
If you must travel in the car during this time, be sure your vehicle’s air conditioning works and that you’ve taken other necessary measures to keep your little one cool.
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Conclusion
Keeping your baby cool in the car can be difficult at times, especially if you’re the only other one in the car. As you may know, babies get hot more easily than adults, and this indicates that overheating happens much more quickly.
I hope this article “How to keep baby cool in car seat” helps bring a little peace of mind when you travel especially during the summer. By dressing your baby appropriately and practicing the tips I listed above, your baby should be much more comfortable.
If you have any other tips and experiences with keeping a baby cool in a car seat, drop your comment or suggestion down below. We would love to hear it. Still, need to know more? Learn How To Wash Graco Car Seat Cover