We can’t do anything about the sweltering summer temperatures (boo!), but we can offer tips for keeping kids cool, calm and collected through the dog days of summer (yay!). Here are some of our favorite ways to beat the heat. And the best part? You can do all of them without breaking a sweat. (Sorry, we had to.)
1. Keep It Cool
A shady spot is a must for outdoor activities, and to really keep baby’s skin from getting sweaty and irritated, slather on Pipette’s Baby Cream to Powder. It works like baby powder, but without the talc or messy application. When you apply this cream, you’ll feel it dry into a silky powder that minimizes sweat and chafing. Made with sugarcane-derived squalane and mango seed butter for moisturizing and arrowroot powder and tapioca starch to wick away wetness, it’s the perfect cream to keep your child cool and comfortable on warm days.
2. Take Cover
If you’re planning to log a lot of hours in the sun with your mini-me, you’ll need to keep an arsenal of baby-friendly sunscreen at the ready. Our top pick: Honest Mineral Sunscreen. The zinc oxide-based formula is rated at SPF 50+, and because it’s made with shea butter and coconut oil and without chemicals, parabens, fragrance or dyes, it’s gentle enough for baby. (Find more of our sunscreen recommendations here: The Best Baby Sunscreens.)
3. Just Breathe
To keep baby from feeling hot and bothered this summer, ditch the polyester duds and look to breathable fabrics made from natural fibers. Cotton is a classic pick, but bamboo is taking the children’s textile market by storm for good reason. Not only is it soft and breathable, it absorbs up to three times its own weight to help wick away sweat from babyies’ skin, keeping them cool and dry. (It’s a great choice for bed sheets, too!)
4. Drink Up
Keeping baby hydrated is important year-round but even more crucial when the mercury starts to rise. Offer baby liquids frequently, especially when you’re out and about, to ward off dehydration. Keep liquids cool by popping bottles or sippy cups into a small insulated bag with an ice pack when you head outdoors. Planning a longer outing? Freeze liquids before you leave and you’ll have an icy drink to enjoy.
5. Just Add Water
A little water exploration can go a long way in creating fun summer experiences with babies—and keeping them cool, of course! Pack the swim diaper and sunscreen and head to your local splash pad or zero-depth entry leisure pool, or bring the fun home with a small inflatable pool, splash mat or water table you can set up in your own backyard.
6. Let Loose
Imagine this: It’s hot out, the humidity is high, and you’re trapped in a cocoon of fabric with another human being’s body heat emanating through it. That is how your baby may feel after spending too much time in a carrier this summer. Consider opting for a stroller (with a sufficient sun shade!) instead. If you (or your baby) prefer a carrier, look for one made of light, breathable fabric, such as the Bamboo Moby Wrap, to help keep both of you comfortable. (Check out the latest baby carriers here: The Best New Baby Carriers)
7. Turn Up the Air
Adding a portable fan to your baby’s stroller will help keep them cool and comfortable. Our pick: the O2COOL® 4-Inch Portable Stroller Clip Fan has an easy-to-use design that clips onto any stroller frame and a bendable neck that allows you to adjust the direction of the airflow for maximum comfort.
8. Timing Is Everything
To avoid the energy drain that comes from being in the heat, plan your outdoor adventures for the early morning or evening hours instead. Besides letting you take advantage of cooler temps, you and baby will benefit from smaller crowds, whether you’re heading to the park (no wait for the baby swings!) or the zoo (finally, a front-row glimpse of the lions!). If you want to get out in the afternoon, choose an indoor spot like an aquarium, pet store or the local mall, where you can take advantage of the AC.
9. Spray It On
Most babies have a blast playing outside on a sunny day, but the elements can take their toll quickly on sensitive skin. After extensive sun exposure, reach for a moisturizing spritz like Mustela After Sun Hydrating Spray, which is made with avocado oil and shea butter to soothe, nourish and refresh your little one’s skin.
10. Monitor Magic
A baby monitor with up-to-date temperature sensing technology can keep baby sleeping comfortably through those hot summer nights. Because infants aren’t able to regular their body temperatures as well as adults, a too warm or too cool environment can make your little one restless. Most experts recommend setting the thermostat between 68 and 72. One option: The Philips Avent DECT Baby Monitor with Temperature Sensor and Night Mode will not only let you monitor the climate in baby’s room, it allows you to create customizable settings to alert you to changes in nursery temperature changes.
—Suzanna Logan
