How To Keep Your Baby Cool And Happy This Summer

Stay Out Of The Sun In The Middle Of The Day

In the summer, you should plan to stay out of the sun between 11 am and 3 pm. This is when the sun is at its strongest. When you are outdoors with your baby, you should stay in the shade as much as possible. If there is no shade, bring an umbrella, or a large sunhat and a sunshade for your baby's stroller. It is safe to use a baby sunscreen if your infant is over six months old, but if you want to avoid sun damage it is best to avoid the sun altogether. Instead, get into the habit of taking a short stroll in the park in the afternoon or early evening. You will be able to enjoy the fading sunlight without getting sunstroke.

Avoid Dehydration

Dehydration is common in babies, because their small bodies make them more sensitive to fluid loss. Your baby will need more liquids in hot weather. If your baby is formula fed, try giving her some cooled, boiled water in her bottle. If she is breastfed, she may want more frequent, shorter feeds, but she may not need extra water. You should also look out for the signs of dehydration: a dry mouth, dark urine, dry lips, and decreased urine output. If your baby is dehydrated, put her in a cool place and offer her a drink. If your baby shows signs of severe dehydration (such as excessive sleepiness, cold feet and hands, and sunken eyes), you should take her to an emergency room. You should be sure to drink at least eight glasses of water a day, too. To mix things up, try unsweetened iced tea or ice water with a few mint leaves in it.

Take A Bath

As a fun way of cooling down, let your baby enjoy some time spent splashing around in the bathtub, or even a small baby pool. For fun, try some bath toys, such as small floating animals, or even some small cups and buckets baby can fill with water. If you are giving your baby a cool bath, make the water just below body temperature. If your baby fusses during the night, try wetting her down with a cloth. If you want to cool off too, you could consider throwing a bathing suit on and getting in a paddle pool with your little one.

Get Some Sleep

If your little one is finding it hard to nap during the day, you should consider taking her to an air-conditioned environment. This could be a friend's house or even a shopping center. She will probably fall asleep in her stroller once she cools down a bit. Cool down your baby's room by closing the blinds, switching on a fan, or even putting a wet piece of fabric in front of the fan to cool the air. Synthetic fibers can make your baby feel sweaty and uncomfortable in hot weather, so use natural fibers like cotton for her bedding and clothes. On a hot day, she may only need a diaper and tank top. You could try napping in the day, as well. It may seem a little decadent, but a daytime nap in the summer is a common practice in countries where the heat is unbearable in the middle of the day.

It can be hard to stay comfortable in the summer, especially if you have a new baby. The heat can make baby fret, and prevent her from sleeping well. In turn, this can affect your sleep and mood (but don't worry, you're You are Still a Good Mom). However, if you take a few precautions to ensure you stay out of the sun, keep cool, and stay hydrated, you will feel better, and your baby will feel better as well.