How To Dress A Newborn In Summer Safely (Day & Night!)

If you need some newborn summer clothes ideas, want to know how to keep baby cool in hot weather at night, and want my general best tips on keeping baby cool in the summer, this will help.

---

Well, you’ve got a newborn baby and you are knee deep in that newborn sleep schedule.

You’re probably feeding what feels like every hour or two. Or maybe you’ve already figured out your newborn feeding schedule.

How to dress a newborn in the summertime

Style wise, you’re on your own there, mama. You know your own infant style ideas. I mean… you probably have mood boards, right?

But safety wise, there are a few things to consider because we know keeping baby cool in the summer is a priority if you live in super hot weather.

When dressing your newborn baby during the summer months…

• Buy breathable loose materials. If the materials aren’t that loose, they need to be extremely breathable. Of course, if you’re in the north this isn’t as important, but for certain hot climates, it’s a must.
• Your baby doesn’t need to be covered from head to toe, but be mindful of sun exposure. Vitamin D is great, even for newborns, but you want to avoid sunburns, obviously.
• Bring layering blankets. If you dress baby for a hot day then it gets more chilly at night, you can always wrap baby up in a breathable muslin.
• Dress keeping the ambient temperature in mind. So if the a/c is on quite cool, baby needs less layers and maybe even diaper only.

Read: Advice For New Moms Your Doctor Won’t Tell You

How to keep a baby cool in summer at home

The easiest way to keep baby cool is obviously to put less layers on them.

You want to make sure that in homes with an a/c that it’s on nearly all day long in hot temperatures.

From the American Academy of Pediatrics published study…

“Although studies have shown an increased risk of SIDS with overheating, the definition of overheating in these studies varies.

Therefore it’s difficult to provide specific room temperature guidelines to avoid overheating.

In general, infants should be dressed appropriately for the environment, with no greater than 1 layer more than an adult would wear to be comfortable in that environment.

Parents and caregivers should evaluate the infant for signs of overheating, such as sweating or the infant’s chest feeling hot to the touch. “

Fans are also a great way to keep your newborn baby cool. And they can be put on near baby’s crib, rotating, etc. to increase air circulation.

At night and for nap time, breathable materials, fans, and the a/c keep baby cool and will help promote healthy sleep habits.

How to keep a baby cool in hot weather at NIGHT

It is important that babies are kept at proper temperatures, neither too hot nor too cold.

And at night, this can be tricky!

Newborns also need to be swaddled to sleep well so parents can often get into a bit of a pickle.

How to swaddle baby in hot summer weather:

• Dress baby in diaper only and swaddle in thin sheet (this was suggested by a mother in a hot humid part of Australia!).
• Swaddle in a very light muslin blanket over a diaper only.
• Find mesh swaddles or mesh blankets that are able to be wrapped tightly.
• Wrap and swaddle baby’s arms only, not entire body.
• If you don’t have air conditioning, you can always lightly wet your swaddle so it’s damp.

Read: Easy Peasy Tips To Swaddle Newborns Well

How to keep baby cool in hot weather outside

As we know, there’s a lot of things to do with our kids during those summer months. And we want baby to come with us!

If you’re going to be outside in 90+ degree weather (hello, Florida!) there are some things to keep in mind,

• If you are wearing baby, get baby out of the carrier regularly to avoid overheating. The carriers are often made of heavy duty material that, while sturdy, can make baby hot.
• Get a shade or canopy for your stroller. Some strollers come with these, if not, buy one. You don’t want to cover the top with a blanket during super hot weather, but a breathable shade will keep baby cool.
• Use a spritzer. You can buy a fan that attaches to the stroller to keep some air circulating while you are outside wandering.

Read: Cocooning a Newborn & 7 Reasons Why it Can Be Good For The Family

Frequently Asked Questions:

Should I use sunscreen on my newborn?

For babies under six months, the recommendation from experts is to avoid using sunscreen. Shade is your friend! Think: umbrellas, hats, canopies, etc.

How can I keep my newborn cool in the car?

Try starting your car and running the air conditioning for a few minutes before you load your baby up to cool down the interior of the car. Using window shades and cooling accessories, such as portable fans, can help keep your baby cool as well.

Can my baby sleep with the fan on?

Yes, you can turn on a fan to help circulate the air and keep baby cool as they sleep!

How can I keep my newborn hydrated in the summer heat?

Offer your baby frequent feedings of breast milk or formula to ensure they stay hydrated. If breastfeeding, nurse your baby more frequently during hot weather to provide extra hydration. Avoid giving your newborn water before they are six months old, as breast milk or formula provides all the hydration they need.

[amffh-sampleroutines]