Summer Care for Preterm Babies: Tips to Keep Your Little One Cool & Comfortable

As summer of 2025 is expected to bring record-breaking heat, keeping your preterm baby cool and safe is more important than ever. According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), due to the global temperature rising extreme heat events will become more frequent and severe.¹ This will pose serious health risks—especially for vulnerable populations like your preterm infant!

Preterm babies are particularly sensitive as they have a hard time regulating their body temperature. This is due to several factors:

Less body fat: Fat provides insulation, preterm babies have much less fat, making them more vulnerable to temperature fluctuations.
Immature thermoregulation: The hypothalamus, which controls body temperature, is not yet fully developed in newborns
Limited ability to sweat: Sweating helps cool down the body. Babies do not sweat as efficiently as adults, making it harder for them to release excess heat

These factors make preterm babies especially prone to overheating in warm temperatures, which can lead to serious complications such as dehydration, heat rash, and an increased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

A normal temperature for your baby is around 36.4°C (97.5°F), though it may fluctuate throughout the day. However, a temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher is considered a fever and is particularly concerning for any baby under 3 months old.²

Now that you’re aware of the signs that your little one may be struggling in the summer heat, here are some ways to help keep them cool. Here’s how you can create a safe and comfortable environment while your preemie is indoors:

When taking your preterm baby outside during the summer, follow these tips:

With summer heat on the rise, it’s important to keep your preterm baby cool and comfy. Stay on the lookout for signs of overheating and follow these tips to keep your little one safe and happy all summer long!

REFERENCES

Schlein, L. (2024, December 30). Record-breaking heat likely to continue in 2025, accelerating climate change. Voice of America. Retrieved February 6, 2025, from https://www.voanews.com/a/record-breaking-heat-likely-to-continue-in-2025-accelerating-climate-change-/7918237.html
Marcin, A. (2021, July 28). How to tell if your baby is overheating. Healthline. Retrieved February 6, 2025, from https://www.healthline.com/health/baby/baby-overheating#takeaway
HealthLinkBC. (2024, June 27). Safety for infants and young children during extreme heat. Retrieved February 6, 2025, from https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthlinkbc-files/safety-infants-and-young-children-during-extreme-heat
Children’s Health. (n.d.). Keeping your baby safe and cool in summer. Retrieved February 6, 2025, from https://www.childrens.com/health-wellness/keeping-your-baby-safe-and-cool-in-summer
Shankar, P., & Krishnan, V. (2017, July 6). Summer safety for your preemie. Hand to Hold. Retrieved February 6, 2025, from https://handtohold.org/summer-safety-preemie/