Signs your baby is too hot while sleeping – and what to do if they are dehydrated

The Met Office has issued the UK's first ever Red Extreme heat warning.

Weather has reached temperatures of over 40 degrees in the UK, setting a new record for the hottest day and hottest night within the same 24 hours.

It's difficult enough to keep yourself cool at the moment, let alone your children and young ones who may not be able to communicate it properly.

While everyone is trying to figure out how to stay cool during the heatwave, we take a look at how to spot signs your baby might be too hot while sleeping, according to NHS and Healthline.

How to tell if your baby is too hot

Keeping your baby hydrated can keep them cool (Getty Images)

• If they feel hot too touch
• Flushed or red skin
• Fast breathing
• Heat rash
• Temperature of above 38 degrees

Babies are not able to regulate their own body temperatures so it can change rapidly.

It's important to check regularly how they are coping with the heat, but be aware little ones can lose temperature four times quicker than adults, so try not to over compensate.

What do I do if my baby is too hot?

If you are worried or concerned about how hot they seem, here are some ways to ease their temperature:

• Offer fluids and ensure the baby is hydrated
• Gently apply something cool to their forehead and wrists
• Remove layers
• Give the little one a lukewarm bath, but ensure that the bath is not cold.
• Move to a well ventilated, cool room

If your child is under five years old and experiencing any of the below symptoms, you should take your child urgently to the GP, or go to A&E, because they might be dehydrated:

• Drowsy
• Breathing fast
• Have few or no tears when crying
• Soft spot on their head that sinks inwards
• Dry mouth
• Have dark or yellow pee, or have not had a pee in the last 12 hours
• Have cold and blotchy looking hands and feet

Ways to prevent your baby from getting too hot

• Try and create as much ventilation in the room as possible. If the weather is hotter outside than the temperature inside, keep windows shut and curtains drawn
• Keep doors open between rooms to maximise air flow
• Use a fan to circulate air flow
• Move the baby to a lower room if you can, remember heat rises
• Make sure to use sun-screen during the day so that babies skin are not burnt and hot at night

If you are concerned about your babies temperature please seek medical guidance by calling 111 or in extreme cases dialling 999.

And make sure to keep yourself hydrated too while looking after your little ones.