When the heat lasts for several days, the nursery quickly becomes the most difficult room in the apartment. Babies and toddlers cannot regulate their body temperature as well as adults. Therefore, simple, consistent measures count on hot days: shade, rest, enough fluids, and a daily routine that avoids the hottest hours.
The goal is not to make the room ice-cold. The key is to avoid heat buildup, keep direct sun out, and keep a close eye on the child.
During the day: Keep the sun out
The most important step often happens in the morning. Windows, curtains, roller blinds, or shutters should be closed as soon as the sun hits the windows. It is better to ventilate early in the morning and late in the evening when it is cooler outside.
- Shade windows during the day: The less direct sun enters the room, the slower it heats up.
- Avoid warm devices: Do not leave lamps, chargers, and unnecessary electronics running constantly.
- Use fans only indirectly: Never point them directly at a baby or toddler and keep cables out of reach.
- Leave the door open: If another room is cooler, air can circulate better.
- Cooler room instead of mandatory nursery: For nap time, the coolest safe room in the apartment may be more sensible.
Sleeping in the heat
On tropical nights, a simple evening routine helps: ventilate early, use light bedding, loose clothing, and no unnecessary covering. A thin sleeping bag or light cotton clothing is often enough. It is crucial to check regularly whether the child is sweating, feels very warm, or is unusually restless or sleepy.
Cold compresses or ice-cold baths are not a good idea. Pleasantly lukewarm washing, a damp cloth nearby, or a short lukewarm shower can be enough if the child likes it.
Drinking and eating: small portions, offer more often
Toddlers should be offered water repeatedly in the heat. For babies under six months, the rule is: breastfeed or feed more often, but do not give water independently unless recommended by a doctor. Breastfeeding mothers should also drink enough.
A lack of appetite is not automatically a problem on hot days as long as the child drinks well and appears alert and responsive overall. Light meals, fruit with a high water content, and smaller portions are usually more pleasant than heavy meals.
Outside: avoid late morning and afternoon
For playgrounds, errands, and trips, it is better to go early or in the evening. The strain is particularly high between late morning and afternoon. Strollers should never be covered with cloths if this prevents air from circulating. Shade, a parasol, and regular checks are better.
- Choose light, loose clothing.
- Protect the head and neck from the sun.
- Avoid direct sun for babies as much as possible.
- Schedule active play for the cooler times of the day.
- Never leave them waiting in the car, not even for a short time.
Take warning signs seriously
In case of unusual lethargy, severe sleepiness, hot dry skin, persistent crying, vomiting, fever, diarrhea, seizures, or if an infant is drinking poorly, medical advice should be sought quickly. In Austria, the telephone health consultation service 1450 is responsible for health questions; in acute emergencies, call the emergency number.
In addition, the heat hotline at 0800 880 800 offers advice on how to better cope with hot days. With babies and very small children, it is better to ask once too early than too late.
Read also
- Surviving tropical nights: Cooling the bedroom without an electricity trap
- Cooling your apartment without air conditioning: simple tips for hot days
- Swimming lake with children: safely through hot outdoor pool and lake days
- Heat in the car: Why children, animals, and groceries must not wait
- Drinking properly in the heat: 7 simple summer drinks without the sugar trap
- Applying sunscreen correctly: 8 mistakes that happen quickly in everyday life
Sources and further information
- gesundheit.gv.at: Dealing with heat correctly
- Gesundheit.gv.at: Information sheet on protecting infants and toddlers in the heat
- Ministry of Social Affairs: Heat hotline
- oesterreich.gv.at: Tips for the hot season
- ORF.at: Current heatwave in Austria
Article image: AI-generated symbolic image.
