If you have a Gro-Egg, it may have reached unhappy face already or certainly by later this evening.  Sleeping especially in warm weather can be hard, especially for children.

Top tips on how to help your child stay comfortable — and sleep comfortably?

Throughout the day, make sure your child is drinking plenty of fluids. Make sure your baby has regular wet nappies. Older children should be going to toilet regularly and urine should be pale yellow colour.  Avoid sugary or fizzy drinks, and try to stick to water.  For adults, avoid alcohol and sugar (yes, the obvious reasons but can make you feel worse in the heat).  If you’re bored of water or need ideas on eats to beat the heat, check out  “Just a Salad For Dinner”

Serve snacks cold:  Family favourites in our home include frozen banana (watch recipe here)  pops.

• Popsicles –  You honestly CANNOT go wrong making your own.   Simply pour 100% fruit juice or low/no-sugar fromage frais into a popsicle mold and freeze. Get creative?  Make a “smoothie” by blending fresh or frozen berries, banana, or mango and add a splash of juice.  You really can’t mess this up. Promise.  When you get your confidence, start adding in the veggies (like combining kiwi and a little spinach). Option?  Use frozen smoothie mixes (choose one with veggies for the win):  blend, pour into molds, and freeze.

• My alternative for ice cream for toddlers or young children:  KiwiPearCado.   In a blender, put 1 kiwi, 1 pear and ½ avocado.  Blend until smooth. I add squeeze of lime juice.  Portion and place in freezer.  Note: you will need to let this thaw/soften a little before serving.  I say toddlers but seriously, my older children still love this.

Over-heated in children can be red-faced and sweaty. However, in younger children, they can just be fussy or irritable. Older children who are too hot or dehydrated may also seem cranky, tired, loss of appetite, or have headaches.

Seek shade outdoors, especially mid-day, and set up water play, if possible. (Remember to never leave children unattended near water, even small paddling pools.

Be Sun Safe.  For so many reasons, but also – nothing is more uncomfortable than trying to sleep with hot or painful sunburn.

Bedtime can be uncomfortable.  How to make it better?

• Reduce room temperature by closing blinds (note: not the black out blinds – the normal blinds/drapes) hours before bed if direct sunlight coming in in the afternoon.

• Cool bath before bed can help a child cool down and relax. (Recently, we talked about the benefits of a bath as part of a bedtime routine)

• Choose light clothing/pajamas.

• Use a flat sheet, if you have one, a a substitute for usual blankets.

• Turn on fan if you have one – be careful to set it up out of reach of little fingers.