Warmer weather is just around the corner. If your due date is around that time, you might be wondering how to dress your little bundle of joy once you leave the hospital. If you happen to live in a particularly warm climate, or perhaps have little to no air conditioning in your home, there are some preparations to make to your baby’s wardrobe and supplies to get ready for summer. Here are some tips on how to dress your baby for the warm months of the summer season.
Clothes
When it comes to dressing your baby, you want to think “like parent, like child”. If you are uncomfortable, it’s likely that your baby is too. For the warmer months, think about getting clothes with some ventilation.
Onesies are a must. Short-sleeves are definitely for the warm weather. Try to get one made of breathable cotton as in avoid any synthetic fabric. If you know you’ll be headed outside, try to get some clothes in lighter colors. Avoid any thick fabrics such as fleece or wool. For your newborn or infant that is not walking yet, shoes and socks are not necessary. If you know you will be inside where the AC is kicking, you can have a pair of socks on hand just in case it gets chilly.
Sleep
Sleep time is when most parents worry. Before putting your baby down for bed time, make sure they have had one last good feeding to keep them hydrated. For our baby, we got this baby monitor that also tells you the temperature of the nursery which is a great little bonus to have. If you are still swaddling, then make sure to use receiving blankets that are cotton and breathable. You can also try the sleep sack in a lighter fabric. As our newborn grew out of being swaddles, we would put him in a onesie and diaper and he would be fine during the summer.
Walks
Always check the temperature before you head out. Timing is important because you want to avoid the hottest part of the day (generally between 11am and 1pm). We live in a warm climate so summers were super hot for us. I generally went for a walk with my baby around dusk time and it worked out perfectly.
If you’re planning on using a baby carrier or sling, try to use one of lighter fabric. They also make ones with sun shades as well. Remember that as soon as you start feeling hot, it’s likely that your baby is too.
If you plan to go for a walk with your baby in a stroller, you can lay down a thin mat or cotton sheet to help keep the baby cool from the synthetic padding and material on the stroller seat. Make sure your stroller has some sort of shade to protect them from the sun.
Additional tips:
If you know you will be a while in the sun, definitely find shade, and perhaps have a hat ready to protect your baby’s head.
You’ll also want an extra layer of clothes just in case it gets cooler.
My doctor told me that babies younger than six months old shouldn’t wear sunscreen because their skin is extremely sensitive. The only exception is if your baby is unavoidably in direct sunlight, when a very light coat of baby sunscreen is acceptable.
For babies older than six months, apply waterproof baby sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside and reapply every few hours.
Here are the signs of overheating and dehydration to look out for:
- Exhaustion and drowsiness
- Rapid breathing
- Dark yellow urine
- Urinating less than usual as the baby may be having fewer wet diapers
- Sunken and dark eyes
- Irritable and tearless crying
- Cold and blotchy- looking hands and feet
- Vomiting and has diarrhea
- Having dry lips and coated-looking tongue and mouth
- Has hot and dry skin
- A sunken fontanelle, which is the soft spot on the top of your baby’s head
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