NHS midwife warns babies being dressed dangerously in heatwave

NHS midwife warns babies being dressed dangerously in heatwave As heatwaves become more common in the UK, parents need to know these important 'rules' A midwife has issued a reminder to parents with babies this summer to avoid a simple mistake when dressing their babies during high temperatures. Angie Willis, known online as The Eco Midwife (@theecomidwife), and who has 14 years of experience, claims parents need to think carefully about how many layers a baby is wearing, especially when the weather turns extreme. Although parts of Britain are cooling down from today, Monday, June 29, some areas are already bracing for the next heatwave, with some forecasts predicting a 40°C scorcher could return in a matter of weeks. In a video shared to her TikTok, she said: "The reason we are so obsessed as healthcare professionals with baby temperature is because of the risk of overheating, which can, in rare cases, sometimes lead to and be a potential reason behind sudden infant death syndrome. "This is incredibly rare, but as heatwaves increase more frequently with climate change, adaptations and adjustments are something that we all really need to consider moving forward." Her first warning was simple - skip putting hats on babies. Although it seems sensible to protect them from the sun this way, it could make things more difficult, as the head is a natural way for babies to cool down when they warm up too much. When it comes to clothing, Angie says that if a room thermometer shows temperatures above 27°C, parents should consider only a nappy. Between 24 and 27°C, she said a nappy and a cotton vest are usually sufficient. She also said parents should be careful not to trap heat when using a muslin. "It's really important that you keep this as a single layer — only every time you fold, that traps the heat more, that can increase the overheating," she said. "So if you are using the muslin method, only one single layer and not folding up. " For sleeping bags, she advised parents to check the manufacturer's instructions and choose breathable materials. "Sleeping bags that are made from cotton, that are breathable, that enable some of that heat flow to be able to come out and enable that baby to cool down a little bit easier," she said. She also urged parents to keep checking their baby's temperature. "The best way to check your baby's temperature and know how many layers is to place a couple of fingers on their chest or their back," she said. "If your baby feels really sticky, clammy, very warm, then remove a layer. If they feel cool to the touch, then add a layer. " If a baby has a temperature over 38°C, she said parents should contact their GP, midwife or call 111 without delay. A spokesperson for baby care specialists For Your Little One said: "Angie's advice is a really important reminder that dressing a baby in a heatwave is not just about comfort, it is about safety. "Parents often add layers out of habit or worry, but in extreme heat, less is genuinely more. A breathable single layer, no hat indoors, and a simple well-fitted sleeping bag in the right tog rating for the temperature can make a significant difference to how safely a baby sleeps. "A room thermometer is one of the most useful and underrated tools a parent can have, as it helps monitor room temperature accurately, especially in homes that hold onto heat overnight. " With hotter UK summers becoming more common, the message for parents is straightforward - when it comes to babies and heat, less really can be more.