1. Blinds/Curtains shut and windows open at dusk
My son was born in the middle of a heat wave. When we finally got her home at 8pm – our house was a sweltering 31 degrees. Damn that sad face on the Gro-Egg Thermometer! If we’d just thought ahead – closed all the blinds to block the sun, and opened the windows to create a breeze we could have knocked a good few degrees off that thermometer – but I guess we were kind of busy! It’s what we did for the remainder of the heat wave and it worked a treat. Keep them closed all day if you can. Keep windows closed during the heat of the day to keep the hot air out, as soon as it is cooler outside than inside get those windows open! It can help to put a fan by an open window or door to pull the cooler air inside!
2. Freeze large bottles of water
Ice Ice baby!! I’m talking 1-litre bottles plus, if you’ve got enough room in the freezer, freeze as many as you can! Place them in your little ones room overnight – it will help to cool the air as they melt.
3. 
Cool baths
A slightly cooler bath than usual just before bedtime should help refresh your baby – just a quick one though – don’t want them getting too chilly! This was another staple last summer in our household – my then 9 month old spent most of her time in the tub on the really hot days.
4. Hang the washing out
Hanging damp towels or sheets in front of an open window will help bring down the room’s temperature.
5. Ice fans
Another firm favourite in our household. An electric fan on its own doesn’t really cut the mustard– generally just blowing the warm air around. But put a large bowl of ice in front of the fan and it will cool the air that circulates the room in no time!
Hope these tips help to keep your little ones cool this summer. Hang on in there and just remember, it’ll probably rain in a few days!
And a few more tips from Wakefield Mumblers on the chat group:
