Rising temperatures don’t mean you have to stay inside with your little one. Getting out and about in the summer sun can be fun for the whole family as long as you take precautions. Check out this guide to keeping your baby safe and happy while you enjoy all the activities this amazing season offers. 

1. Dress Baby Lightly

One light layer of clothing is ideal for babies playing in the sun. Stick to thin and breathable natural materials like cotton and linen. Polyester and other artificial fabrics tend to hold sweat and heat in rather than wicking it away, which can raise your little one’s temperature and cause a heat rash. 

While it may seem counterintuitive, long sleeves in a light fabric may be more ideal for babies than short sleeves. The longer material will cover more of their delicate skin, protecting it further from the sun.

You should also opt for a light-colored summer wardrobe. Dark hues absorb sunshine and become hot quickly. Whites and lights reflect the sun’s rays, keeping your baby cooler. 

Finish off their outfit with a brimmed hat, like a sun or bucket hat. These accessories look adorable on and will shade your baby’s extra sensitive facial skin. 

2. Offer More Liquid

Babies sweat less than adults, but the sun still depletes them of fluids. Always bring something to drink wherever you go and plan for an extended feeding when you get back indoors. Infants younger than six months should only have breast milk or formula. Older babies can have some water, but their primary drink should still be one of the other two options.   

3. Stay Inside During the Hottest Point

To minimize your sun care efforts, schedule errands and activities outside the hottest part of the day. In the summer months, you should plan to stay inside between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. if possible. Between those hours, temperatures rise and the sun’s UV rays are stronger. 

If you must go out during this part of the day, ensure you use all the other tips on the list to keep your baby safe and cool. 

4. Care for Baby’s Skin

The most important thing you can do to protect your baby from the hot summer sun is to slather them with sunscreen every time you go out. You want an SPF of 30 or higher with broad spectrum protection, which blocks UVA and UVB rays. Sweat or water-resistant formulas are a good idea, so your little one’s skin stays covered even if they get sweaty or wet. 

You have two categories of sunscreen to choose from:  

• Mineral: Creates a physical barrier on the skin’s surface that prevents harmful rays from penetrating. While it starts working immediately, it leaves a white cast, is difficult to rub in and washes off easily with sweat or water.
• Chemical: Enters the surface of the skin and collects any harmful rays, releasing them as heat. It’s more resistant to water and sweat and applies smoothly. You have to wait at least 15 minutes before going out in the sun after putting this on to give the formula time to sink in.

During the summer, you should do regular full-body checks on your baby. Ask your doctor if you notice anything unusual. It may just be a heat rash or birthmark, but you can never be too sure.

5. Give Baby a Cool Bath

When you get back inside, cool your baby down by giving them a bath with room temperature or slightly cooler water. Anything too frigid could overwhelm them and send their temperature in the other direction. Give them a while to splash and play while cooling off.  

Another option is to undress them down to their diaper and drape a cold cloth around their neck. Once it starts to work, shift it to their armpits and thighs. These areas are extra sensitive and will bring your baby’s external temperature down quickly. 

6. Lower Temperatures in Your Car

Summer makes cars much more dangerous. These metal boxes heat up faster than anything. It’s a good idea to start your vehicle and let the air run for a while before hooking your baby in. This way, they won’t feel the full brunt of the stored heat. 

Another way to keep your car cool is to add sun shades to the back windows and get a windshield protector. With these precautions, your vehicle won’t soak in as much sun, and the interior will stay colder.

One final word of caution — never, under any circumstances, leave your baby alone in the car. Too many heat-related accidents happen this way. Babies should only be in a vehicle when supervised and with the appropriate temperature settings. 

7. Stay in the Shade

Whenever possible, stay in the shade while outside. Find a nice tree or awning to play under. At events, you can usually find a tent or umbrella to shield yourselves. Most strollers also have built-in shade you can pull out to protect your baby’s skin from the worst of the sun’s rays. 

Many parents try to extend the stroller coverage further by placing a thin muslin cloth across the opening. However, this isn’t a good idea. Even the lightest material will trap some heat, which will only escalate the issue inside the stroller, creating the opposite effect of what you want. Instead, stick to the basic sun shade and follow the other tips on this list.  

Keep the Summer Sun Fun

Heat rash, sunburn, and heat exhaustion make for a cranky and sore baby — not fun for anyone. You can enjoy barbeques, pool days, beach trips, or even a grocery store run without worry.  

Keep your summer days pleasant and safe with these tips.