Newborns in summer

Keeping Your Baby Safe and Cool in Summer – Children's Health

Summertime brings warm weather and lots of sunshine. But parents of infants, in particular, should keep a few essential heat and sun safety tips in mind while enjoying the season.

"Outside time is so important for babies' growth and development. So we want to make sure we are giving babies the opportunity to go outside, but of course, keeping them safe while doing so," says Sushmita Yallapragada, M.D., Neonatologist and Associate Medical Director of the Level IV NICU at Children's Health℠ and Assistant Professor at UT Southwestern.

Dr. Yallapragada, also a mother of two young children, answers common questions about how to keep newborns and infants safe during the hot summer months.

What outside temperature is too hot for a baby?

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests parents avoid taking babies outside for long periods of time if the heat index is greater than 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Prolonged outdoor exposure on extremely hot days can cause babies to overheat quickly.

"Babies are not as effective at cooling their bodies as adults because they do not sweat normally," explains Dr. Yallapragada. "In addition, babies are not able to tell you if they are overheating and not feeling well. Take breaks every 15-30 minutes or sooner based on your child's response to the heat."

Before making outdoor plans with your baby during summer, check the local heat index. When you do enjoy outside time, you can take simple precautions to keep your baby safe.

How can I keep my baby cool in summer?

If the heat index is above 75- or 80-degrees Fahrenheit, take these five steps to keep your baby cool while spending time outside.

1. Seek shade.

Park your baby's stroller or blanket under a tree or in another shady spot to avoid direct sun exposure.

2. Dress baby coolly.

During hot days, dress your baby in a single layer of lightly colored, moisture-absorbent but breathable material, such as a lightweight cotton onesie or romper. Opt for fabrics like cotton and linen and avoid synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon.

"Infants should be dressed appropriately for the environment, with no more than one additional layer than an adult would wear comfortably at that temperature – for daytime or sleeping," Dr. Yallapragada says.

3. Drink liquids.

Offer breastmilk or formula to keep infants hydrated. It's generally recommended to wait until babies are at least 6 months of age to offer water. Older babies and toddlers should drink water while playing outdoors to help stay cool and hydrated.

4. Schedule extra rest time.

Time in the heat can cause infants to feel extra tired. "Planning time for babies to rest or nap following outside playtime can be helpful," says Dr. Yallapragada.

5. Avoid the hottest parts of the day.

Plan to take your baby out in the early morning or late evening hours so you can spend the hottest parts of the day inside. When outside, consider using a portable stroller fan to help baby stay cool.

How can I protect my baby's skin from the sun?

It's important to be mindful about how much sun exposure your baby is getting – especially since infant skin can sunburn easily.

Summer skin care for babies under 6 months

Sunscreen should not be applied to babies under 6 months of age. "Sunscreens can cause skin irritation in a young baby's developing skin," Dr. Yallapragada explains.

Instead, take steps to keep newborns and young infants out of direct sunlight:

Seek trees or other sources of shade.
Dress babies in a wide-brimmed sun hat and sunglasses to block the sun from their face and eyes.
Use a stroller shade or umbrella to block the sun from babies' arms and legs.
Apply a car window shade to block direct sunlight from reaching your baby during car rides.

Summer skin care for babies 6 months and older

Babies 6-12 months of age should use a hypoallergenic and fragrance-free sunscreen since these varieties are less likely to sting babies' eyes or potentially irritate their skin.

Look for broad-spectrum sunscreens that offer both UVA and UVB protection with a minimum SPF of 30. Apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going outside, and reapply every two hours – or sooner, if your baby has been swimming or sweating.

What should I do if my baby gets a heat rash?

Heat rash, a skin irritation that looks like red pimples or blisters, can occur if babies' skin gets overly sweaty. You may notice a heat rash breakout on your baby's neck, chest, groin, armpits or elbow creases. "It can happen at any age, but it's quite common in young babies and children," says Dr. Yallapragada.

If your baby gets heat rash, bring them inside to cooler, air-conditioned air. Give them a bath or use a washcloth to wipe away the sweat. Replace their sweaty clothes with a cool, dry outfit. There is no need to apply any powders or skin ointments to heat rash; it should clear up on its own once the baby's skin cools down.

What's the ideal temperature for a baby's room in summer?

According to the AAP, the ideal temperature for a baby's room is between 68 and 72 degrees. Keeping a baby's room cool is especially important when they sleep, as overheating can put an infant at risk for SIDS.

If you set your thermostat higher during the summer months or your air conditioning has a tough time cooling your home, keep window blinds or curtains shut to block direct sunlight. You can also use fans to circulate air.

If you lose access to air conditioning at home – either through a power outage or mechanical issue – consider spending the day at a library, shopping mall or community "cooling center" where COVID-19 safety protocols are in place and indoor temperatures remain comfortable.

How can I tell if my baby is too hot?

You can tell that your baby is getting too hot by watching for the following signs:

Extreme fatigue or drowsiness
Disinterest in feeding/drinking
Flushed face
Sweatiness (may be more apparent in older children)

If your baby shows signs of overheating, take them indoors into a cool space. Apply cool washcloths or offer a cool bath. Replace sweaty clothes with a clean, cool outfit. Offer milk or formula to help them rehydrate.

If your baby still seems overly hot after these steps, call your pediatrician – particularly if you notice it's been several hours since your baby had a wet diaper and/or your baby is vomiting, having muscle spasms or breathing quickly. These could be signs of dehydration or heat illness, and you may need to get your baby in to see a doctor right away.

What other steps should I take to keep my baby safe this summer?

As temperatures rise, it's important to never leave a baby alone in a hot car, even for a moment. Temperatures inside a closed car can rise to dangerous levels quickly, so always take steps to ensure you don't leave a child alone in the back seat. See five tips to prevent hot car tragedies.

Similarly, maintain careful adult supervision whenever your babies and older kids are around a pool this summer. Follow these essential pool safety tips to avoid the risk of injury or drowning.

More summer safety tips

Children's Health is here to help keep your family healthy and safe this summer. See more summer safety tips.

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heat stroke, hydration, infant, rash, safety, skin, summer, sun safety, toddler, water safety

How to Dress A Newborn in Summer: 5 Tips for Success

Are you wondering how to dress your newborn in summer for maximum comfort? Here are 5 tips to keep your baby cool and comfortable!

You’ve probably heard me say this before, but from the day we brought our new baby home, I was obsessed with her temperature and whether she was comfortable when sleeping.

As new parents, we worried about how to keep my baby warm at night without overheating her!

Newborns can’t use words to tell you how they’re feeling, and trying to guess how to dress your baby for sleep can be tricky work!

I felt like there must be some sort of code to crack to make sure she was sleeping at the perfect temperature.

Thankfully it’s not such a precise science! Still, there are some things to keep in mind and pitfalls to avoid.

Luckily, I’ve done the research and trial-and-error for you!

I’m here to help you figure out the best way to dress your newborn in summer. Keeping them comfortable means they’ll be less fussy and sleep for longer stretches of time.

Top Tips to Dress a Newborn Baby in Summer for Bed

Dressing your baby for sleep in warmer weather doesn’t have to be hard! Here are some tips that will take the guesswork out of it.

Tip #1: Don’t Just Rely on the Thermostat

Did you know that the recommended ideal temperature for baby’s room is usually between 68 and 72°?

Where we live in California, our summer months can get very hot (with temps over 100°!), so we have to run our AC a lot in the summer. But just because the thermostat is set at 68°, it doesn’t necessarily mean that’s the temperature your baby feels when sleeping.

You still have to dress your newborn in something to sleep! Those layers can add warmth, so it’s important to monitor how their body feels by using the touch-test.

Your thermostat might read much cooler than your baby actually feels, so don’t let it be your only way to monitor their ideal summer sleep temperature.

Touch your baby’s belly or back of their neck to feel their core temperature. They should feel slightly warm but not sweaty or clammy.

Tip #2: Your Goal is to Avoid Overheating

Keep in mind that it is much easier to warm a baby up than cool them down. Your goal should be to avoid overheating.

The most recent research shows that overheating is linked to a greater risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

To reduce the risk of SIDS, keep an eye out for any of these signs that your baby is overheated:

Baby’s skin is sweaty including back, chest, neck, or hair
Skin that is red and very warm to the touch
Heat rash (little bumps or splotches on neck, chest, back, thighs, or armpits)
Rapid heartbeat
Vomiting (more than just spitting up after eating)

If you see any of these signs, remove at least one layer of clothing and try to move to a cooler location.

Tip #3: Use the Golden Rule

Knowing that overheating can be dangerous for your baby really turns the pressure on when you’re getting them dressed for bed!

But don’t sweat it—literally! Instead, think about this spin on the golden rule: dress your baby the way you want to be dressed.

In other words, think about how you like to dress for sleep in the summer. You probably wear light, thinner pajamas and forego a heavy blanket or comforter, right?

Your newborn will be comfortable in thin layers, too. Start with a cotton onesie as a base, and build on that if necessary.

I typically recommend swaddling in those first few months for your newborn. Since that means adding another layer to a potentially already warm summer night, it’s important to pick a swaddle that is lightweight and breathable—something like these Burt’s Bees swaddles, which are made of organic cotton is perfect!

Tip #4: Pay attention to TOG Ratings

When it comes to layering and warmth, not all of your baby’s clothes are created equal.

Textiles like baby clothing and swaddles have something called a TOG rating. TOG is a standard measurement that lets buyers know just how warm a fabric is.

The higher the TOG rating, the warmer the fabric will feel when you wear it.

It’s not always possible to tell how warm something will be by the look or feel of it. There are certain fabrics that will insulate more or less, and will have better breathability. TOG ratings take the guesswork out of it all!

When you’re figuring out what do babies sleep in during the summer, you can use pajamas, swaddles, or summer sleep sacks with low TOG ratings.

Using a swaddle or sleep sack is possible even in the warmer months, as long as you pay attention to the TOG ratings of both the swaddle or sleep sack and your baby’s base layer.

The Woolino 4-Season sleep sacks are some of the best sleep sacks if you live in a climate that experiences all four seasons. The bags take the guesswork out of dressing for cold weather and help with how to dress your baby for winter, summer, spring, and fall!

Tip #5: Learn the Signs of Temperature Discomfort

If you’re not sure whether your baby’s sleeping temperature is right, here’s the good news: they will let you know!

When your baby is feeling uncomfortable, they will find a way to communicate it. You might just have to keep an eye out for the signs.

Here are some ways your newborn might be telling you that they’re not at a comfortable temperature:

More crying than usual, especially in the middle of the night
Generally restless when you set them down during scheduled naps or bed time
More frequent wake-ups or shorter naps than usual
Very quiet and still
Awake but lethargic or floppy
Uninterested in feeding

What Should Newborns Wear in the Summer to Bed?

Now that you have those tips in mind, it should be easier to determine what your newborn needs to wear to bed in the summer.

If your baby sleeps under or near an air conditioning vent or ceiling fan, you can probably dress them in at least one thin layer covering their whole body without worrying about overheating. Consider a lightweight (low TOG), full length long sleeves pajama set.

However, if there isn’t much cool air passing over your newborn when they’re sleeping in summer, they might be totally comfortable in a short-sleeve onesie and nothing else.

There may be times when you’re traveling and don’t have control over the thermostat—or maybe there isn’t AC! In situations where you’re faced with 80+ degree temps indoors while sleeping, don’t hesitate to omit the baby clothes and let your little one sleep in nothing but a diaper.

Lastly, if your newborn relies on the swaddle to sleep but you’re concerned about overheating, consider using breathable muslin wraps or sleep sacks over nothing but the diaper or a short sleeve onesie.

How to Dress a Newborn in Hot Weather

If you’re wondering what to dress your baby in during the daytime in summer, think back to the golden rule. Your newborn will be plenty comfortable in the same amount of layers you’re wearing!

Think of this as a general rule for dressing babies for the outside: If the temperature is 65 degrees or less, your baby will probably be more comfortable in one layer more than you. In higher temperatures, dress them in the same number of layers as you.

The most important thing when dressing your newborn for the outdoors in summer is to protect them from the direct sun. You can limit sun exposure and protect your baby’s skin with clothing, a sun hat, and shade.

Keep in mind that the FDA recommends against using sunscreen on newborn babies younger than 6 months old. That means shade is the best sun protection for your newborn when you’re outside during the summer.

You should never dress your newborn in more than one additional layer compared to the number of layers you’re wearing. For example, if you’re wearing one layer, your newborn should only have 1-2 layers on.

You can always keep an extra layer in your diaper bag for your baby, in case you visit any places that are blasting the air conditioner.

I hope you found this helpful and that your baby stays comfortable and cool this summer!

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Amy Motroni

I'm Amy and I'm so glad you've stopped by! As a Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant, my goal is to walk you through the process of getting your baby to sleep, so your whole family gets the rest they need!

My blog is full of things to help you celebrate motherhood including baby nursery ideas, sleep schedules and sleep tips, fun printables, baby registry must-haves, and so much more.

First clothes for a newborn - how to dress a child in summer? ❤️ KIDY.eu

Basic list of maternity clothes for a newborn in summer
What kind of clothes for discharge from the hospital will the baby need in the summer?
"Hurrah! We're home!" or how to dress a newborn in the summer at home
How to dress a newborn for a walk in the summer if it's hot outside?
How to dress a newborn outside in the summer if the weather is bad?
General tips

Parents have been waiting for the baby to be born for 9 whole months. And all this time they are thinking about how to meet a new person "fully armed", that is, to prepare everything necessary so that, at least at first, the baby does not need anything. Indeed, a lot needs to be thought out and purchased in advance, because as soon as the baby is born, you will no longer be up to it. We decided to help you with this issue. So, what kind of clothes does a newborn need for different occasions if you are expecting replenishment in the summer? nine0018

Basic list of clothes for the maternity hospital for a newborn in the summer

Mom and baby will spend very little time in the maternity hospital. And yet, in the very first days of life, the baby needs increased comfort conditions to adapt to a new way of being. You can provide them by taking care of buying the right things in advance. It is best to collect a package a few weeks before the expected date and keep it at hand.

Necessary items and clothes for newborns in the maternity hospital in summer:

Of course, the diaper pack. These are not clothes, but for a newborn they are necessary both in summer and in winter.
Baby hygiene products - baby soap, diaper rash cream, powder, baby wipes, etc.
No matter how many clothes a newborn would need in the maternity hospital in the summer, diapers will always help you out, which can temporarily replace things if everything gets dirty, serve as a bedding or coverlet and, if necessary, be used for swaddling. There are never many of them, so feel free to take 5 pieces of thin and warmer ones - you will need everything. nine0005
2-3 light caps.
Light clothing set in 3 pieces. You can buy sets in advance or assemble them from bodysuits for a newborn, thin blouses, T-shirts, sliders.
A couple of sets of warmer clothes, similar to the previous paragraph, or just a few comfortable slips.

What kind of clothes will the baby need for discharge from the hospital in summer?

There are 2 features here. First, your child will go outside for the first time. And secondly, the situation requires solemn registration. As for the amount of clothes, follow the golden rule: clothes for newborns for the summer should be the same as you are wearing + 1 layer. So the baby does not freeze and does not overheat. nine0018

From clothes for newborns in summer you will need:

Blouse or bodysuit + rompers or panties. The alternative is a slip that combines all this.
A hat is a must.
If necessary, socks and scratches.
Envelope or special clothes for discharge for newborn girls (for summer it can be a dress) or boys (suit).

Please note that if the weather is not very summer (below 20°), the child should wear an extra layer of clothing. Another tip on how to dress your child for discharge in the summer: buy a special set for discharge according to the season - this will solve your problems at once. nine0018

“Hurrah! We're home!" or how to dress a newborn at home in the summer

Comfortable temperature for a baby ranges from 21-23°. This is how it should be in a baby's room. In this case, you only need a diaper, single-layer clothing (pants with a blouse or sliders with a vest, or slip) and a cap. A child should not be completely without clothes, since at this age he has not yet established the process of thermoregulation.

What should a newborn wear at home in the summer if the room is hot? After all, it happens that an increase in air temperature in a room is inevitable, and air conditioning is not installed in every home. In such cases, you can limit yourself to a bodysuit with short sleeves and socks. It is also useful for the baby to take air baths from time to time. nine0018

How to dress a newborn for a walk in the summer if it's hot outside?

Even in the warm season, the right choice of clothes is extremely important for the baby. After all, with its help you need to protect the baby from overheating, sunburn, wind, insects, etc.

Important tip: no matter what the weather is outside, be sure to bring a blanket or blanket with you to avoid hypothermia in case of temperature changes. Whatever you decide to dress your newborn for a walk in the summer, always take a full change of clothes and a couple of diapers with you. nine0018

What clothes a newborn needs to go outside in summer:

Sleepsuit for newborns;
Blouse or bodysuit;
Pants or sliders;
White or very light cap;
Socks.

You can choose any of the options above and be sure to complete it with a headdress.

When it comes to temperatures above 25°C, a short-sleeve bodysuit or T-shirt combined with a cap, socks and a diaper will suffice. But do not forget to take a blanket with you so that the baby, in which case, does not freeze. nine0018

How to dress a newborn outside in summer if the weather is bad?

Summer does not always please us with hot cloudless days, but you need to walk with your child every day, despite the vagaries of the weather. This should be taken into account if you stock up on clothes for newborns for the summer in advance and buy warmer clothes. If the air temperature fluctuates between about 15 and 20 degrees, in addition to the items of clothing listed in the previous section, arm yourself with a light spring jumpsuit. It is better to choose an option that can be quickly removed if there is a risk that the baby will sweat. In such cases, factors such as wind, sun, etc. must be taken into account. It is advisable to choose outerwear that can be easily removed and put on. And don't forget a blanket - in this weather, a light sheet won't be enough. nine0018

General advice

All clothes for a newborn in the summer should be natural and safe for the first time. It is better to give preference to cotton fabrics.
Make sure that all clothing and household items are well breathable and can dry quickly enough.
When thinking about what clothes to buy for a newborn in the summer, remember that you will have to change them often (2-5 times a day), so there should be enough sets so that you can always change your baby into clean clothes until you wash the dirty clothes. nine0005
In addition to a blanket, you will need a light blanket or sheet for the stroller to protect your baby from the sun and insects. Even if the design of the stroller includes a mosquito net, this does not mean that it will protect against direct sunlight or wind.
When purchasing the necessary clothes for a newborn in the summer, give preference only to proven and popular brands whose products have been certified and are made only from high-quality and safe raw materials. nine0005

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