Baby's first hot summer is one of those milestones that brings equal parts joy and worry. Sunshine and long evenings are lovely, but babies cannot regulate their own body temperature the way adults can, which means they can overheat much more quickly and with fewer obvious warning signs.
The reassuring news is that keeping your baby cool and safe in warm weather is entirely manageable once you know what to look out for. Here is what to focus on across the three places it matters most: the pram, the car, and the nursery at night.
Keeping Your Baby Cool in the Pram
When you are out and about in warm weather, a few small adjustments make a significant difference to how comfortable your baby is.
Time your walks carefully. The NHS recommends keeping babies out of direct sunlight between 11am and 3pm, when the sun is at its strongest. Early morning and early evening walks are far more comfortable for little ones, and cooler for you too.
Use a purpose-made sunshade. A clip-on parasol or sunshade is one of the most useful additions to your pram in summer and can be angled to track the sun as you change direction, and crucially, allow air to circulate freely around your baby.
That last point matters more than it might seem. A common piece of advice shared online suggests draping a muslin or thin blanket over the pram hood to create shade. The NHS advises specifically against this, and the Lullaby Trust echoes the warning: even a lightweight cloth can trap heat inside the pram and raise the temperature to a dangerous level, increasing the risk of overheating. A fitted sunshade or hood with built-in UPF protection is always the safer choice.
Check for signs of overheating. Your baby's hands and feet will naturally feel cooler than the rest of their body, so those are not a reliable guide. Instead, feel the chest or the back of the neck. If the skin feels clammy or sweaty, they need to cool down. Move into the shade and remove a layer if needed.
Keep fluids up. Breastfed babies may want to feed more frequently in warm weather, which is perfectly normal. If you are formula feeding, the NHS recommends offering small amounts of cooled boiled water alongside regular feeds during hot spells.
Keeping Baby Cool in the Car
Cars heat up extremely quickly in warm weather, even on a day that does not feel particularly hot. A parked car can reach dangerous temperatures within minutes, so never leave your baby unattended in a parked vehicle in warm weather, even briefly.
On the move, fitting car window sun shades to the rear windows is a straightforward way to block direct sunlight from reaching your baby's seat. They are inexpensive, easy to fit and make a noticeable difference on sunny journeys. It is also worth checking the car seat itself before you strap your baby in, as metal buckles and dark fabric can absorb a lot of heat when the car has been sitting in the sun.
Air conditioning makes a significant difference on longer journeys. For extended trips, plan regular stops so your baby can come out of the seat and cool down. Dress them lightly for the journey too, as it is easy to over-bundle a baby before getting into the car without realising.
Safe Sleep on Hot Summer Nights
Hot nights are often the hardest part of a heatwave when you have a baby at home. The Lullaby Trust recommends an ideal room temperature of 16 to 20 degrees Celsius for baby sleep, and while that can be genuinely hard to achieve during a hot spell, there are several practical steps that help.
Keep the room dark during the day. Closing curtains or Blackout Blinds while the sun is on that side of the house prevents heat from building up before bedtime. It is one of the simplest and most effective things you can do.
Use a fan to move the air. A fan in the room helps prevent heat from settling. Position it so it circulates the air without blowing directly onto your baby, and keep it out of reach.
Dress for the room temperature, not the season. In hot weather, a lightweight sleeping bag is all most babies need. Look for bags rated between 0.5 and 1.0 tog for summer use. The ergoPouch Summer Cocoon in 0.2 tog is made from breathable organic cotton and bamboo, and is designed specifically for newborns in warm conditions. For older babies, the ergoPouch Jersey Sleeping Bag at 1.0 tog works well for rooms sitting between 21 and 24 degrees. On the very warmest nights, a nappy and a very light layer is perfectly fine.
Monitor the room temperature. A nursery thermometer removes the guesswork entirely. Many baby monitors also display room temperature on the parent unit, so you can keep an eye on conditions throughout the night without disturbing your baby.
Check on your baby regularly. Feel the chest or back of the neck rather than the hands or feet. Clammy skin is a clear sign they are too warm, so remove a layer and reassess.
Quick Summer Safety Checklist
- Stay out of direct sunlight between 11am and 3pm
- Use a clip-on parasol or sunshade on the pram. Never cover the hood with a cloth or blanket
- Fit car window sun shades to block direct sunlight on journeys
- Check car seat buckles and fabric for heat before strapping your baby in
- Never leave your baby in a parked car in warm weather, even for a moment
- Aim for a nursery temperature of 16 to 20 degrees Celsius for sleep
- Choose a 0.5 to 1.0 tog sleeping bag for summer nights
- Use a fan to move air in the nursery, not aimed directly at your baby
- Check for overheating by feeling the chest or back of the neck, not the hands or feet
- Offer breastfed babies more frequent feeds. Offer formula-fed babies small amounts of cooled boiled water alongside feeds
Shop Summer Essentials at Pushchair Expert
We stock everything you need to keep your baby comfortable in warm weather, from pushchair parasols and sunshades to car window sun shades, nursery thermometers, monitors with built-in temperature display and lightweight summer sleeping bags. Not sure which sunshade fits your exact pushchair? Pop into our Boston showroom and our team will help you find the right match.
For more seasonal sleep advice, take a look at our guide to keeping baby cosy in autumn and winter and our tips on creating a sleep-friendly nursery.
