If you’re the parent of a newborn baby, figuring out how to keep your baby cool in the summer can be tough.
You might be wondering how to dress your baby in the warm weather or how to keep their bedroom cool at night.
Luckily, here at PhotoBaby we know quite a bit about babies!
Before you go cancelling your summer plans, read these 5 simple tips to keep your baby safe and cool in the summer.
Keep your newborn in the shade.
Keep babies out of direct sunlight
Babies under 6 months of age don’t produce enough melanin to protect their skin from the sun.
Their skin is also very thin and sensitive at this age, so using sun cream isn’t recommended.
Instead, the NHS suggests keeping your newborn baby out of direct sunlight and in the shade. If you end up somewhere with no shade, attaching a parasol to your baby’s pram will help them stay protected.
One thing you should never do is cover your baby’s pram to keep the sun out, even if the cover is made from a thin material.
That’s because a cover of any kind will trap the heat inside the pram and cause the temperature to soar.
This can cause:
- Heatstroke
- Poor air circulation
- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
If you know that you won’t be able to keep your baby in the shade during high temperatures, it’s best to stay inside.
Once your baby is 6 months of age, you can begin to use child-friendly sun cream. Look for one with both UVA and UVB protection, a high star rating and an SPF of at least 30.
But remember—even when your baby can use sun cream, it’s still advised to keep them out of direct sunlight.
Keep your newborn baby in the shade.
Sun hats and loose clothing
The last thing you want to do in warm weather is overdressing your newborn baby.
Instead, choose loose and comfortable cotton clothing to prevent overheating.
If your baby is under 6 months old, dress them in an outfit that covers their arms and legs. This will protect their skin until they are old enough for sun cream.
You’ll also want to use a hat to protect your newborn baby’s head. A wide-brimmed hat or one with a neck flap will cover exposed areas and prevent burning.
Your baby will also look adorable, which is an added bonus!
The main thing to keep in mind is choosing outfits that allow air to circulate, so steer clear of tight clothing.
Nine month old baby boy sitting on the beach in beautiful summer day.
Adjust bedding and pyjamas
The recommended temperature for your newborn baby’s bedroom is between 16-20 degrees Celsius. Unfortunately, this can be hard to maintain in warm weather.
One way to combat this is to adjust your baby’s normal bedding and pyjamas.
Sleeping bags are a great way to keep your baby comfortable and they come in different togs. This allows you to choose the best tog according to the room temperature.
The Gro Company has a brilliant tool on their website that can help you choose how to dress your baby for bed. You’re able to make selections based on your baby’s age, weight, and room temperature.
After you’ve made your selections, the tool tells you exactly how to dress your baby for safe sleeping.
Sleeping bags are also a great way to prevent loose bedding from covering your baby’s face.
If this sounds like something that will save you lots of sleepless nights, you can find the link here:
Keep rooms cool
Some houses are great at holding heat, and it can be difficult to cool the rooms down in warm weather.
Here are some steps you can take to lower the temperature in any room:
- Keep the sun out by closing curtains and blinds. The sun shining through your windows will heat up a room surprisingly fast!
- Use a dehumidifier to remove moisture from rooms
- Get a decent fan to help air circulate
- When the sun goes down, open windows on opposite sides of the house to create a cross breeze
- Put ice packs in front of a fan. As the ice melts, the fan will blow a cold breeze into the room
If these tricks don’t work, investing in an air conditioner is another option. Although they are pricier than a standard fan, they are a great way to beat the heat!
Plenty of fluids
High temperatures can cause dehydration, which children are especially prone to.
It’s important to remember to keep babies well hydrated when the weather is warmer than usual.
Advice on how much water to give your baby varies by age and whether they are breast or bottle-fed. When in doubt, contact your GP to find out how to keep your baby well-hydrated during a heatwave.
You can also consult the NHS website for advice based on your baby’s age here:
Activities to do with your newborn baby in the summer months
Now that we’ve covered the safety advice, you might be wondering how to have fun with your baby in the summer!
A paddling pool is a great way to keep your baby—and yourself—cool when the heat just won’t let up. All you need to do is find a shady area for hours of summer fun.
A quick internet search will bring up plenty of adorable swimwear for your newborn baby.
Look for a swimsuit that covers your baby’s arms and legs to protect them from the hot sun and chilly water. Many newborn swimsuits also filter out UV rays for an added layer of sun protection.
A pop-up tent is a fun way to keep everyone in the shade for garden picnics and outdoor fun. If your baby has older siblings, it can also double as a quiet resting place for them to read, play or nap.
PhotoBaby summer photography sessions
Have you been waiting for the perfect moment to have your newborn baby’s photos taken? An indoor photo session can be a great way to escape the heat and make some beautiful memories at the same time.
Although newborn photography is our speciality, we know you might have some concerns. And we don’t blame you, your baby is precious, after all!
When you visit our studio, your newborn baby’s comfort and safety will be our main priority. The unique and memorable photos you’ll end up with are just the cherry on top.
During your session, we’ll keep your baby’s temperature regulated by using:
- A fan to keep the room cool
- Hot water bottles to mimic body heat
- White noise to keep baby calm
- Breaks for feeding and cuddles
We’ll also be sure to keep a close eye on how your baby is reacting and adjust our techniques accordingly.
If the weather is very warm, we’ll keep the use of wraps to a minimum so your baby doesn’t overheat.
There’s another bonus of having your baby’s photos taken in our studio. You’ll have one less day of making plans around our unpredictable UK weather!
Come rain or shine, you’ll end up with gorgeous photos of your baby to enjoy for many years to come.
So why not give us a call today to book your newborn baby photography session?
It’s sure to be an experience you’ll never forget!
Treat your baby to something cool!
