You know you’re a mummy when you’re up at 4am jotting down genius ideas on how to keep your little one cool. This was me last night - pen in hand!

We all know the basics about baby sun safety. Smother them in SPF 50, pop on a brimmed sun hat, stay in the shade where possible, and plunk them in a paddling pool or bath to cool their core temperature. But here are some really genius little pick-me-up’s that might help give your child a bit of respite from the heat this summer. Better still - they all cost under a fiver, and are in many instances free!

Make an ice rattle!

Pop a few ice cubes in an old baby food jar (chill the jar in the fridge first). The cold rattle will keep babies hands cool.

Create your own air con!

Pop a bowl of ice in front of a fan in baby’s nursery. The ice will defrost overnight, chilling the air. The fan will ensure this cold air is circulated around the room. This is so refreshing as the ice pops and sprinkles up into the air as you lie in bed.

Spray bedding before bedtime!

Make a pillowcase sleeping bag!

If your baby is a Grobag fan, consider popping them in a pillow case instead. Make sure you cut out the inside section that normally folds over the pillow to stop them from becoming entangled. Otherwise - try to keep babies hands and feet uncovered as you lose most heat from your extremities.

Keep a sponge in your baby change bag!

As babies heads are the warmest parts of their bodies, cool baby down by regularly dampening their hair. They might look like a sweaty mess, but they’ll thank you for it!

Keep favourite toys in the fridge!

Pop a few of your childs favourite toys in the fridge (shape sorters and wooden blocks work well). They’ll be able to keep cool whilst they play. You can also place your child’s favourite soft toy (that they just can’t sleep without) in a freezer bag and leave in the fridge throughout the day for cold cuddles at night.

Keep sun hat in the fridge!

Much the same as above, pop your childs sun hat in the fridge for 20 minutes before you leave the house. If it’s nice and cool you might have more success getting them to keep it on too!

Try a foot and hand bath for instant refreshment!

Run cool water over the insides of their forearms, wrists and bottom of their feet. Your blood is closest to the surface there, so it cools much faster.

Iced snacks!

Try freezing some milk or dried fruit then popping them into a Munchkin Fresh Food Feeder for little pick-me-ups’s throughout the day.

Chill your pillowcase!

If your baby sleeps with a pillow, try gently chilling the pillowcase in a freezer bag before bedtime.

So do you have any more genius ideas to keep your little one cool in the sun?