Summer Survival Guide with a Baby

How to Help Your Baby Beat the Heat, Sweat, and Sun

Summer looks very different than planned for many families this year. Trips have been cancelled. Camps are closed. Indoor establishments are operating under unprecedented restrictions (if at all). But for families with a baby, many things remain the same as they would’ve been in the absence of a pandemic. Balancing your baby’s essential needs with a need to get outside can be a challenge when the heat feels oppressive. Here are some tips to keep you and your baby cool and safe in the dog days of summer.

AVOID PEAK HEAT.

Try to plan any outdoor daytime activities with your baby during the early morning or late afternoon. The four-hour stretch from 10am to 2pm is when the sun is at its highest intensity and UV exposure is the most dangerous. Stick to indoor activities during this timeframe if possible.

DRESS LIGHT.

Babies can get sweaty and uncomfortable quickly in hot weather. Dress your little one in lightweight, breathable clothing to prevent overheating. Even better, look for options with UPF protective fabric.

• Kickee Pants makes some of the softest clothing for babies and children on the planet and now many pieces offer UPF 50+ protection.

• Coolibar was one of the first brands to produce sun protective clothing and has been tested and recommended by dermatologists worldwide. Its baby and kid’s line includes a range of protective swimsuits, bodysuits, hats, and everyday separates.

• UV Skinz offers full-coverage UPF 50+ play suits and sun hats in adorable prints.

MAKE YOUR OWN SHADE.

Little ones, especially newborns, should be kept out of the sun as much as possible. When venturing out for a walk with your baby in the stroller, pull down the sun canopy as far as it goes and try to create additional coverage with a muslin blanket or towel if your baby’s legs are exposed. When out with your baby in a carrier, bring along an umbrella or wear a large sun hat to protect both of you.

• The SnoozeShade Universal Infant Car Seat Cover is designed to protect your baby from the elements and keep naptime on track. Made of soft stretchy mesh fabric that blocks UV light and allows airflow, the cover sports a front panel that unzips to give you quick access to your baby without removing the shade and a sneak-a-peek window that lets you check on your baby without letting in lots of light. This cocoon-like cover also protects your baby from bug bites, grabby strangers, and light rain.

• The Balboa Baby 2 in 1 Car Seat Canopy can be velcroed to the handle of any infant car seat to provide instant coverage from sunlight and other elements. Like a blanket, it drapes over the car seat to create a dark, cozy environment for napping on the go. But unlike a blanket, it is secured to the handle (and therefore doesn’t pose a safety risk) and has snaps down the middle that you can open to check on your baby. These snaps also make it easily double as a nursing cover.

• The SnoozeShade Stroller Sun Cover is an incredibly versatile, mom-invented stroller sunshade and baby sleep aid. If your baby is lying in a bassinet attachment or the main seat of your stroller, this sun cover can