Keeping your baby cool in a car seat is extremely important, especially during the hotter months. One of the things that worries us when travelling in the car with kids in the summer heat on the road is heat illness in the child. We want to keep our little one sweat-free, cool and comfortable especially when driving in hot weather. Because babies can’t regulate their body temperature as effectively as adults, they can overheat in a car seat and feel sick.

In this article, I’ll share some tips on how to keep your baby cool and safe in a car seat this summer. Let’s dive into the essentials for hot weather car trips, including car seat sunshades, breathable liners, cooling techniques, hydration hacks and car seat safety.

Why Is It Important to Keep Baby Cool in a Car Seat?

Babies have a poor ability to regulate body temperature, so if a baby’s body temperature rises too high, it can lead to heatstroke, which is a serious medical condition. Symptoms of overheating are flushed cheeks, profuse sweating, lethargy, shortness of breath and seizures.

Here’s a table summarizing the dangers of overheating and their corresponding signs:

Danger	Description
Heatstroke	A medical emergency caused by the body overheating.
Dehydration	Loss of fluids due to sweating, which can worsen overheating.
Increased risk of SIDS	Overheating is a risk factor for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Discomfort and fussiness	Babies can become cranky and uncomfortable when they're too hot.

Move the baby to a cool place if any of these signs appear in a hot car seat. Remove excess clothing and cool your baby with damp cloths. For heatstroke, call emergency services immediately.

7 Easy Steps to Keep Your Baby Cool in Car Seat

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1. Pre-cool the car seat: (Beat the heat)

Before your little one joins you for a summer adventure, take a few minutes to pre-cool the car. Take a few simple steps, which can greatly affect keeping baby cool in a car seat.

When the engine is running, turn on the air conditioner for a few minutes to lower the interior temperature. Use the vehicle’s recirculation function initially, then switch to fresh air once trapped hot air is released. Choose a shaded place to park the car, and try not to let direct sunlight and heat enter the vehicle.

Another way to pre-cool a car seat is with a car seat cooling pad for children. Keep it in the fridge and it’s a great way to cool down a car seat in a few minutes.

These pre-cooling techniques can create a cool and refreshing environment for your baby in the car. They help keep the baby comfortable when strapped into the car seat.

2. Breathable Car Seat Liners (Wicking Away Moisture):

Use car seat liners for your baby’s comfort. A breathable car seat liner made of cotton or mesh helps circulate air over the seat, preventing heat build-up, to keep baby cool and comfortable.

They also absorb and wick away moisture, keeping your baby cool and happy while riding in the car. On hot and humid days, these liners relieve kids from sweat build-up and irritation in the car seat.

 

3. Lightweight, Loose-Fitting Cotton Clothes can keep your baby cool in a car seat:

 

4. Cooling Towels (Safe Cooling for Babies):

A car seat cooling towel is not a specific type of towel, but any towel used for cooling the car seat.

Can be of two types:

Microfiber: These towels are soft and lightweight. When damp, the microfiber material creates a large surface area for water to evaporate. This evaporation process helps cool by absorbing heat from the skin.

Polyvinyl Acetate (PVA): These towels feel more plastic-like and tend to be stiffer than microfiber. Like microfiber, PVA towels work by evaporation. When wet, they retain a significant amount of water, allowing for a long-lasting cooling effect.

Using Cooling Towels to keep baby cool in car seat:

Damp, not Soaking: Always make sure the towel is damp, and not waterlogged. Use a towel that wicks away excess water so that it doesn’t become uncomfortable or cause breathing problems for your baby.

Intended Use: Wipe the baby’s forehead, neck and wrists gently with a towel to cool the baby’s body. Never leave a cool towel unattended with your baby.

 

Important Considerations:

Limited cooling power: Cooling towels provide short-term relief. As the towel dries, the cooling effect diminishes, so for long-lasting cooling, it should be wetted and wrung out periodically. Safety reminder: Do not place a wet towel directly on the car seat. This can increase the risk of mold or mildew growth.

 

Substitute to Cooling Towels:

Cool, Damp Washcloth: A safe and effective damp washcloth made from a clean breathable fabric can be an alternative.

Cooling Pads: Some car seats include pads in harness slots for child-friendly targeted cooling. Some of the washable insulated ice pack infant car seat cooling cushion mats are hot weather multifunctional and these baby cooling pads are also quite effective. Just leave the cooler in the fridge for 4 hours and leave it in an empty car seat for a while before your trip. Children should not be placed directly in the cooler. Within a few minutes, it activates to cool the car seat until you arrive.

By following these tips, you can safely keep your baby cool and comfortable in a car seat during summer car rides.

 

5. Keep babies hydrated to keep them cool in the car seat:

Keep your baby hydrated in the car seat during the summer. Hydration is important for everyone, children are more sensitive and fragile bodies, and they need to be closely monitored. Dehydration can be a serious illness for children on car trips during the hot summer months, so make sure they stay hydrated throughout your journey.

Let’s quickly understand baby hydration.

Our body uses sweat to cool down. When dehydrated, babies sweat less, making it harder to regulate their body temperature and increasing the risk of overheating.

Sweating in hot weather can cause rapid dehydration. A baby’s small body loses fluids quickly, so fluids need to be fed frequently.

How to keep your child hydrated during car journeys:

Breastfeeding or formula: Breastmilk or formula is the best method of hydration for babies under 6 months, offering frequent feedings during long car trips.

Liquid drinks (for older babies): Once your baby starts to have solids (around 6 months), give the baby cold water to drink. Take breaks during long journeys so they can drink comfortably.

 

Tips for Encouraging Hydration:

Tips to encourage hydration:
Start early: Drink fluids early rather than waiting for the baby to become thirsty.
Keep cool: Carry a cooler bag or insulated cup to keep water or formula cool.
Make Drinks Tasty: Carry kids’ favorite tasty drinks in colorful sippy cups. A delicious fruit juice drink that kids will want to drink with more gusto.
This way you can make sure your child is hydrated during summer car rides.

Signs of Dehydration in Babies:

• • Fewer wet diapers
  • Dry mouth and tongue
  • Sunken fontanelle (soft spot on the head)
  • Listlessness or irritability
  • Crying without tears

If you notice any signs of dehydration, stop your trip immediately and provide fluids to your baby.  Seek medical attention if the condition is severe.

 

6. Consider a Car Seat Sunshade to keep baby cool (Block Sun & Heat):

A car seat sunshade is an important accessory to keep your baby cool and safe during summer car rides. It acts as a protective barrier between your baby and the sun’s harmful rays and heat. Its advantages are:

Using a sunshade will keep your car seat from heating up in the sun and will protect children’s sensitive skin from sunburn.

Sunshade keeps the interior of the car cool by blocking sunlight. It protects your baby from the sun’s heat in summer. Some sunshades are made of a mesh-type material that allows for shade and airflow. It does not bind the child’s vision and does not deprive the outside viewing pleasure.

A well-designed sunshade can also provide privacy and comfort for your baby in the car. It helps the baby sleep peacefully.

Factors to consider when choosing a sunshade to prevent heat illness in car seats.

Compatible with sunshade car seat models. Light and easy to clean. With 50+ UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) shades available these days for maximum sun protection, these should be checked when selecting a sunshade.

Using a car seat sunshade while driving can create a cool and shady environment for your baby.

 

7. The Noggle: Another option for backseat comfort  

Additional Tips and Considerations for Car Seat Safety in Summer

When you’re out with the kids, try to plan your trips strategically to avoid the hottest times of the day whenever you can! Take breaks during long journeys. Take your child out of the car seat in a shaded area to stretch and cool down, ensuring the safety of the car seat when putting them back in.
Even with these precautions, never leave your baby unattended in a hot car.

 

Conclusion (Safe & Cool Summer Rides):

Keeping baby cool is essential during summer car trips. An overheated car seat can pose a serious health risk. Hope you can enjoy a safe and comfortable summer trip with your little one by following the above tips.
Public health efforts often prioritize raising awareness of the dangers of leaving children unattended in hot cars rather than focusing specifically on overheating car seats during travel.

FAQs: 

Q: How hot can a car seat get inside a car?

A: Car seat temperatures can soar much higher than the outside air temperature, especially in direct sunlight. Studies have shown increases of 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4.4 degrees Celsius) or more!

Q: Are car seat coolers safe?

A: Car seat coolers can be safe if used correctly. However, they should never compromise the car seat’s integrity or the baby’s safety. Avoid placing your baby directly on a cooler pack. Instead, pre-cool the car seat insert before putting your baby in. 

Q: How often should I check on my baby during a car ride in hot weather?

A: It’s important to check on your baby frequently, especially in hot weather. Look for signs of overheating like flushed cheeks, excessive sweating, or lethargy. Take breaks during long journeys to let your baby out of the car seat to cool down in a shaded area (always ensuring car seat safety when putting them back in).

Q: My baby hates the car seat in the summer. What can I do?

A: Here are some tips to make car rides more enjoyable for your baby in hot weather:

• • Pre-cool the car with the A/C before putting your baby in.
  • Use a breathable car seat liner and lightweight clothing.
  • Offer your baby cool breast milk, formula, or water frequently.
  • Play calming music or sing songs to distract them. 
  • Use a car seat sunshade with a peek-a-boo window so they can still see you.

Remember: Never leave your baby unattended in a hot car, even temporarily.