Wrapping baby up warm in a tropical climate.

[KatieKrinklebum]

I live in Northern Brazil, where it's 29 degrees C at the moment, and my first child is due in midsummer. The heat is unbearable and is non stop including nighttime. My husband, born and raised here, is always too hot and takes 5 cold showers a day to try and cool down. Sometimes we just take to lying on the tiled floor, trying to soak up some of the coolness of the tiles. Dispite all this, I can't find one single Brazilian who doesn't insist that the baby must be wrapped up in at least three layers, smothered with a quilt and sleep in a cot which is padded all round with fluffy bumpers and pillows, with a wooly hat on at all times, and that sweating is completely normal and not a sign of discomfort. Likewise, I can't find a single English person who doesn't consider this totally wrong and life-threatening. Has anyone here experienced caring for a newborn in a tropical climate and/or different culture? Also, what's this business of taking a hat to the maternity unit when you go? Is it to sleep in (isn't that dangerous) or just to pop on for the first few minutes until they get used to being out of the womb? I've got to get the clothes right as it's kind of a big deal to folk here that she's got to leave the hospital in all matching clobber complete with all the essential accessories.

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Hi there, I am born and raised in East Africa where the climate is similar to Brazil. All babies are kept warm but not too warm. As in a vest underneath and one item of clothing on top. The hat does not have to be woolen and always baby has to have a baby shawl again one which is made for a hot country. All babies born there are kept fairly warm in this hot weather and yes it contradicts what the health professionals may say here in Europe. Millions of babies survive despite being overheated. I suppose they adapt to this and it is completely normal in this culture. You have to choose what is best for you and keeping a room thermometer is a good idea as I always have had one with all my 3 kids, to avoid overheating. You will know what to do when the time comes, dont worry. Good luck, relax and enjoy parenthood : )