How to protect your baby in the UAE heat

How to protect your baby in the Emirates summer heat

"Thank God for air conditioning!” Seems to be a common refrain of expats in the UAE; where the average summer temperatures rise above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). It is fortunate that we get to spend most of our time indoors in air conditioned comfort, as the power of direct sunlight in the desert during the middle of the summer can have serious negative effects on human health. This is especially true for infants and the elderly, who are particularly sensitive.

Mothers from more temperate parts of the world who have relocated to the Emirates may feel unprepared to protect their young children when the mercury shoots ever upward. Below are a few tips for helping your baby cope with the hot summers in the desert.

The Fights You Run Away From

There was an old expression during the British colonial period in India about “only mad dogs and Englishmen” going outside in the midday sun. From about 11am to 2pm the power of the sun is at its very strongest. Direct exposure to sunlight can have a serious impact on your health. Dehydration, sunburn, and heat stroke can occur in a matter of minutes, even with sun screen and covering up with parasols and hats.

Try to arrange your schedule so that you can stay home, or at least indoors somewhere during the middle of the day. You’ll probably notice that there’s not much to do outside anyway during the lunch hours. Don’t fight the sun, just avoid it!

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The Symptoms

There are a number of symptoms to look out for with heat-related illnesses, which can begin to manifest after just a very short exposure to the sun. A rise in body temperature and flushed skin are some of the first symptoms. On humid days, this can occur more quickly as perspiration on the skin will not easily evaporate to cool the body. Body temperature can quickly rise to over 40 degrees centigrade, which can cause brain damage or even death in extreme cases.

Exposure to direct heat, even for short periods of time, can cause a condition known as “heat tetany” which can lead to dizziness, numbness, difficulty breathing, and seizure. Babies are also more likely to suffer from heat rash, particularly around the diaper regions. This can be an especially painful condition if the skin breaks.

First Aid

If your baby is already showing signs of heat related illness, the first step is cooling his or her body temperature. A cool bath and rubbing the baby’s skin with ice chips will aid in reducing the baby’s temperature. Note that this must be done carefully and gradually. When cooling down the baby’s body, there is a risk of going to far, and cases of hypothermia (dangerously low body temperature) have occurred in treatment of heat related illness. It is important to drink plenty of fluids, and it may be helpful to introduce a drink with electrolytes. Sugary drinks should be avoided.

Protecting your baby’s skin is also especially important in the hot summer months of the UAE. Constantly moving from air conditioned indoor environments to sweltering hot outside environments can cause irritation, dryness, cracking, and even heat rash. Bathing your baby in lukewarm water can help with this. Exposing the baby’s skin to water that is too warm or too cold can draw even more moisture from the skin. There are a number of products on the market designed for babies to be added to their bath water to soothe the skin and prevent heat rash and drying.

Talcum powders and various moisturizing lotions may be utilized to protect the baby’s skin. Note that a heat rash which breaks the skin is particularly susceptible to infection, and topical antibiotic creams may be necessary to clear any infections which set in.

Car Care

It is worth making special mention of the danger of leaving infants and small children in parked cars, even for just a couple of minutes. Every year there are hundreds of fatalities, and thousands more suffer from heat related illnesses stemming from children being left alone in a parked car. The temperature inside a car parked in direct sunlight can quickly become 30 degrees centigrade warmer than the ambient temperature outside.

NEVER leave your child alone in a parked car, even for a moment, even with the air conditioning on. There can be extremely tragic consequences. Take the extra time and unlatch the baby’s car seat and take him or her inside with you, even for the quickest errands.

Sun Cream

There is a wide variety of sunscreens, sun blocks, and various other types of creams and sprays to protect your baby’s skin from the sun. Whenever possible, use a sun cream that is formulated especially for the sensitive skin of babies. There are a number of additives in sun creams which can irritate baby’s skin.

Choose a cream with a high SPF (sun protection factor), and one without added parabens. Also note that sunscreen is just designed to protect your skin from sunburn. It does not protect your baby’s body from an increase in temperatures, or prevent heat related illnesses such as heat stroke, especially in a hot climate like that of the Emirates.

Dress Code

It is most important to cover the baby’s head when exposed to the outdoor sun. A hat with a soft, wide brim is best for this. Wearing light, loose clothing will also protect a baby’s body and keep him or her comfortable. This will also offer better protection than any sun cream. Frequent diaper changes are also recommended to avoid heat rash and discomfort in the hotter months.

Poolside

In a related note, a word about water safety. A dip in the pool is often the best relief from the summer heat whether you’re in the Emirates, or anywhere else. But never leave your baby unattended. Have your children take swim lessons as early as possible. Note that many drowning incidents occur in shallow water, as babies can fall face first into the baby pool or even bathtub.

Summer temperatures in the Emirates are some of the hottest on earth, and can cause discomfort and even illness in healthy adults, let alone children. So make sure to take extra special care of the little ones as temperatures rise. When you’re in the UAE, “fun in the sun” is probably best left for the winter!

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