Infant Care Archives

Keeping Your Baby Safe and Cool During the Summer

Posted on June 3, 2025June 23, 2026 by Splash Creative

Quick answer: Babies cannot regulate temperature as well as adults, so summer needs extra care. Dress your baby in light-colored, lightweight, breathable clothing, add a wide-brimmed hat, and keep babies under six months out of direct sunlight. Seek shade, limit exposure during peak hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and watch for fussiness or sweating as signs of overheating.

Your baby’s first summer can feel exciting as you get to spend more time outdoors with them and enjoy the sunshine together. While summer is a fun season, it also comes with potential risks for babies. Infants are more sensitive to high temperatures and sun exposure because their bodies aren’t yet able to regulate temperature as effectively as adults. That’s why it’s important to take extra steps to keep your baby safe, cool, and comfortable throughout the warmer months. Dress Your Baby for Hot Weather and Protect Them from the Sun One of the best ways to keep your baby cool during the hot season is to dress them in light-colored, lightweight, and breathable clothing that covers most of their skin to also protect them from the sun. Be careful not to overdress them, however, as too much clothing can make your child feel overheated and uncomfortable. If your baby is sweating or acting fussy, that’s a sign that they’re feeling too hot. It’s also beneficial to give your baby a wide-brimmed hat to keep their head, face, and neck shaded. Remember that babies under 6 months of age should be away from direct sunlight, as they have delicate skin that is more sensitive to the sun. When you go outside with your child, find shade under a tree or use an umbrella or the stroller canopy. Limit their sun exposure during the sun’s peak hours (between 10 am and 4 pm) as this is when the UV rays are strongest. It’s also important to apply broad-spectrum sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside (if your baby is over the age of 6 months) and reapply every 2 hours. Sunscreen should be used even on cloudy days and should have an SPF of at least 30. We recommend giving your baby sunglasses with at least 99% UV protection as well. Keep Your Baby Hydrated Babies are at greater risk of dehydration because their small bodies lose fluids more quickly. If your baby is under 6 months old, breast milk or formula provides all the hydration they need. It’s important to offer feeds more frequently during hot weather. If your baby is over 6 months old and is eating solids, you can offer 4-8 ounces of water per day in addition to breast milk or formula. Watch for signs of dehydration, such as fewer wet diapers, dry lips, fussiness, or unusual sleepiness. If you notice any of these signs, please call our pediatrician. Protect Your Baby from Water Water safety is also important to consider when keeping your baby safe during the summer. Babies should never be near water without adult supervision, even if the water is shallow. Just 1-2 inches of water can be dangerous for infants. If you have an inflatable or portable pool, empty it after every use and turn it upside down. If you have a regular pool, make sure it is fenced properly or covered when not in use. Babies should not be introduced to pools until they’re at least 6 months of age. Protect Your Baby from Insect Bites There are more insects around in the summer, especially in areas of vegetation. To prevent insect bites, you can use an insect repellent, but only if your baby is at least 2 months old. Make sure to use a repellent that comes in the form of a stick, lotion, or unpressurized spray. Pressurized spray can cause your infant to breathe in the repellent or get it in their eyes. Avoid applying the repellent on your baby’s hands in case your child puts their hands in their mouth. When you bring your baby back inside, wash the repellent off their skin with soap and water. If your baby is younger than 2 months, we recommend placing a net over their stroller or carrier to prevent bugs from getting inside. Keep Indoor Spaces Cool Babies should always be kept in a comfortable temperature at home. Overheating can increase the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The ideal temperature is between 68-72°F (20-22°C). We recommend using an air conditioner or fan to keep your home cool. Make sure your baby is also dressed in a single layer of light clothing only. If there are a lot of windows in your baby’s room, keep the curtains or blinds closed during the sun’s peak times, as the sunlight can increase the temperature of the room. Lastly, keep a lookout for signs of heat illness and exhaustion, such as rapid breathing, flushed skin, restlessness, vomiting, or even becoming unusually quiet or unresponsive. If your baby shows any of these signs, move them to a cool area immediately and call our office. Remember, if you have questions or concerns about your baby’s health during the summer, our pediatrician is here to support you.

Frequently asked questions

How should I dress my baby in hot weather?

Use light-colored, lightweight, breathable clothing that covers most of the skin, plus a wide-brimmed hat. Avoid overdressing, since too much clothing can make a baby overheated.

Can babies be in direct sunlight?

Babies under 6 months should be kept away from direct sunlight because their delicate skin is more sensitive. Find shade under a tree, umbrella, or stroller canopy, and limit exposure during peak hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

How can I tell if my baby is too hot?

If your baby is sweating or acting fussy, that is a sign they are feeling too hot.

Related reading: Spring Safety for Children, How to Give Your Baby a Bath, contact our office. Peninsula Pediatrics proudly cares for families across the Rockaways.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

Posted on October 15, 2024August 14, 2025 by Splash Creative

At least 3,500 babies die every year from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and accidental suffocation or strangulation. Losing a baby to sudden death is extremely devastating for families and can cause feelings of guilt along with grief. The cause of a baby’s death isn’t always clear at first, but most sudden deaths occur while the baby is sleeping. SIDS is still being studied by experts, but there are multiple things parents can do to reduce the risk and protect their baby.

One of the essential recommendations from pediatricians is to ensure that your baby sleeps safely and in a safe environment. This includes placing the baby on their back and on a firm and flat surface – there should be no soft and loose bedding or objects such as pillows, blankets, and stuffed toys. Use a fitted sheet only and keep everything else out of your child’s crib or bassinet. Infants should not sleep on their stomachs (or on their side where they can roll over onto their stomach) as research suggests that SIDS might be caused by defects in the part of the brain that controls breathing and waking up. If the baby is on their stomach, they can sleep too deeply and not wake up when they need oxygen.

It is also recommended to not let your baby share a bed, including putting twins or multiples together. Babies should sleep in a crib or bassinet alone, but it is highly beneficial to share a room with your baby so that you can watch over them. Never let your baby sleep in car seats, strollers, infant carriers, or swings. You’ll also want to make sure that the temperature of your baby’s sleep environment is safe. If your baby gets too hot, they become at higher risk for death.

Another important precaution to follow is to avoid any smoke exposure. It is advised for pregnant women to avoid smoking, even if it’s just one cigarette per day, as it can double the risk for sudden infant death syndrome. Smoking near the baby should be avoided at all times as secondhand smoke increases their chances of dying and it also jeopardizes their respiratory system. Vaping and e-cigarettes are not safe around infants.

Breastfeeding is recommended for babies to strengthen their immune system, provide all of the nourishment they need, and ensure that they develop healthy and strong. It can also reduce the risk of SIDS by 50%! Breast milk causes babies to wake up more easily when they need to which protects them from dying. A pacifier can also help keep your baby safe from sudden death, but it’s best to wait until your baby can latch onto the breast during nursing and has started to gain weight.

Tummy time can protect babies as it strengthens their neck muscles and helps prevent flat spots on the head. An adult should always be with a baby during tummy time and it should only be done while the baby is fully awake. As always, keeping up with your child’s well-check visits is extremely important for ensuring that your baby’s development and health are on track and for them to be up-to-date with their immunizations. Immunization is helpful in protecting babies from sudden infant death syndrome. To schedule your baby’s visit or if you have any questions about keeping your little one safe, please call our office.

Tips on Sleep Safety for Babies

Posted on May 4, 2024August 14, 2025 by Splash Creative

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the leading cause of injury death in babies. Following the American Academy of Pediatrics’ sleep safety guidelines can significantly reduce the risk of SIDS. In this blog, we cover these guidelines and tips to ensure a safe sleep environment for your infant.

The AAP recommends putting babies on their backs on a firm and flat surface without any soft bedding, like pillows, blankets, and stuffed toys. Soft bedding and inclined sleeper products can cause accidental suffocation and should be avoided. Instead, it’s best to use a fitted sheet and keep everything else out of your baby’s crib. A great reference to use for finding a safe crib or bassinet is Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Their website also provides updates on product recalls.

Babies should not sleep on their stomachs as this increases their risk of SIDS. Research indicates that SIDS might be caused by defects in the part of the brain that controls breathing and waking up. When your baby is lying down on their stomach, they will sleep more deeply and may not wake up when they need oxygen. It’s also important to avoid the side position as your baby may roll onto their stomach. Some premature babies in NICU might need to be placed on their stomachs, but this should be done only temporarily under physician guidance. Once they’re stable, they should be placed on their backs so they become accustomed to sleeping in this position. After 12 months of age, babies can sleep safely on their stomachs.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends avoiding bed sharing. If you have twins or multiples, they should sleep in separate cribs and never together. Additionally, babies should not be allowed to routinely sleep in car seats, strollers, infant carriers, or swings. If your baby does fall asleep in any of these products, it’s important to move them to a firm sleep surface as soon as possible.

Another way to ensure that your baby stays safe is to keep their environment free of any exposure to nicotine. Never smoke or allow anyone else to smoke around your baby. Secondhand smoke increases the risk of SIDS as it can impair your baby’s breathing. You’ll also want to avoid letting your baby’s sleep environment get too warm as overheating is a risk factor for SIDS. Check for any signs of overheating like flushed skin or sweating. The best temperature for your baby’s room is normal room temperature. Sharing a room with your baby can make monitoring their environment and sleep easier and has been known to reduce the risk of SIDS by 50%.

Some parents have questions about whether or not it’s safe to swaddle their infant. Swaddling is safe as long as you follow key guidelines. Babies should not be swaddled tightly nor should weighted blankets be used. Use a thin blanket instead and spread it out flat with one corner folded down. Then, place your baby face-up on the blanket so that they’re still sleeping on their back as they should and place their head above the folded corner. Wrap the left corner of the blanket over their body, tucking it between their right arm and their right side. The right arm should then be tucked and the right corner of the blanket should be folded over their body and under their left side. Then, fold the bottom of the blanket loosely and tuck it under one side of them. If your baby looks like they might roll over, stop swaddling right away. At night, preferably use a zippered or velcro sleep sack.

If you have any questions or concerns about sleep safety or your baby’s health, contact our office.