How To Dress Baby For Summer

Babies come from a very warm and comfortable place in the mother’s womb. Imagine stepping out of a warm swimming pool and then the cold air hits you, it’s a dramatic change. When you see midwives and nurses placing a warm blanket over the baby and putting a hat on as soon as the baby is born, it’s to help them warm up as quickly as possible.

Typically, a baby's temperature should be around about 36C to 37C. If their temperature is slightly elevated, you can always start by removing some layers of clothing to help them cool down.

When dressing a newborn in summer​, summer baby clothes created from lightweight, natural cotton fibres are pretty much essential. Natural fibres absorb moisture easily and allow breathability, which assists your baby in regulating their temperature and prevents them from overheating. Avoid synthetic fabrics as much as possible, which aren’t as breathable.

For warmer weather, we recommend loose-fitting clothing that covers as much of your child’s skin as possible, in particular if they are being exposed to the sun. Make sure your baby wears a broad-brimmed sun hat that shades the face, neck and ears. Cap style hats do not provide enough protection and are not recommended.

How to Keep A Newborn Cool in Summer

Here are some of the things you want to think about during the warmer months:

• Apply SPF 30+ (or higher) broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen to any part of the baby’s skin not covered by clothing that might be exposed to the sun. If using sunscreen on babies, do so very occasionally on very small areas of skin. If possible, try to use a baby, toddler or sensitive skin formula.

• Seek shade. Remember, some UV rays can still reach you in the shade, so continue to use all forms of sun protection, such as a broad-brimmed sun hat, even when in the shade.

• Stay Hydrated. Ensure they drink plenty of water and eat plenty of whole foods such as fresh fruit and vegetables.

• Make sure that there is adequate airflow where you are. Wetting a face washer and placing this on the back of the baby's neck may assist in keeping your little one cool.

How To Dress Newborns In Summer

Here are some ideas on how to dress a newborn during summer:

• Baby shorts or bike shorts are a great option for warm weather. Pair them with one of our tees or bodysuits for a complete outfit

• If it is a very hot day and you are indoors, you may opt to dress your little one simply in their nappy and a singlet or bodysuit.

• Baby rompers are perfect for warmer days as they are often made from a lightweight organic cotton or breathable linen. Pair with a tee underneath for added sun protection.

• If your child is a little older and they have begun standing and or walking, they require grip on their little feet. In this case, you can put on some sandals or pre-walkers and pair them with lightweight cotton clothing that is easy to move around.

• Don’t forget a sun hat so your little one is protected, especially if you’ll be spending lots of time outdoors.

How To Dress A Newborn In Summer At Night

On summer nights, especially when dressing your baby for sleep, it’s important to dress them comfortably so they can sleep well. You can dress them as you would during the day, following the tips above, but top it off with a summer swaddle.

Can I Keep Swaddling My Newborn in Summer?

Parents tend to worry that swaddling a newborn in summer might cause their little one to overheat, but most newborns struggle to sleep if they are not swaddled, and can increase their temperature as they squirm around trying to sleep. Swaddling your baby in warmer weather is possible, as long as you follow basic guidelines such as:

• Using baby clothes made of breathable fabric and avoid layering.

• Wrap them in muslin wraps or swaddles made with natural fibres only. You may also consider

  summer sleeping bags for babies

  that are no longer being swaddled (typically around 3 months of age) .

• Check on them often for signs of overheating.

How To Tell If A Baby Is Too Hot

• As a general rule of thumb, when dressing a newborn in summer, your baby should be wearing one more layer than you. An easy way to check your baby’s temperature is by placing your hand behind your baby’s neck, or on their chest or tummy.

• If it is a very hot day, you’re often able to gauge quickly if they are too hot or too cold. If your baby feels warm but there’s no temperature indicating a fever registered on a thermometer, then it’s typically not a cause for concern.

• Some other signs to look for that your little one might be too warm are:

  • A flushed face

  • Sweaty or clammy

  • Rapid breathing

  • Skin is unusually warm to the touch

Shop our newest summer collection for the sweetest clothing and accessories for your little one. Available in-store and online here.