Tips for hot days: What to consider when dressing your baby in summer

In summer you are drawn outdoors more often: Time together with your baby in the fresh air means valuable Family time, which you can spend in warm weather.

From Splashing at the lake to a walk through town to Picnic in a shady spot – the warm days offer many opportunities for exciting activities and Activities with children.

When you're out with your baby, you probably also ask yourself: Is it too hot today? Is my baby sweating or does it need a light jacket?

Infants are not yet able to adjust their body temperature to changing external temperatures and therefore need support from the right clothing even in summer. While children and adults like to wear little and prefer short clothes on hot days, the motto for babies is not "less is more". Pay particular attention with newborns to put on a long-sleeved bodysuit and lightweight trousers, even in heat.

To determine whether your baby has the right body temperature, it's best to use the so-called neck check as a guide. With it you test with your finger on the back of your baby's neck whether the skin is sweaty, cool or dry. If the spot feels warm and dry, your baby is dressed perfectly. If not, you should put on or take off an item of clothing accordingly.

As a rough rule of thumb: In summer babies usually need one more layer of clothing than adults. If you wear a thin, sleeveless T-shirt, newborns and infants need a long-sleeved bodysuit or romper.

Comfortably cool: The right materials for babies in warm temperatures

The right materials and fabrics are very important for baby clothing in summer. While whenDressing babies in winter you should opt for warm wool tights, from June to September lightweight cotton fabrics and linen are popular.

The natural fibers ensure that your baby's skin can breathe well. Moisture is transported to the outside with these fabrics and your baby does not sweat unnecessarily. Muslin is particularly suitable, a wonderfully soft fabric made of pure cotton in which two layers are interwoven at points.

This provides not only a pleasant wearing comfort, but is also particularly skin-friendly.

Also thin wool fabrics and silk are recommended for your little ones in summer. Even during pregnancy these materials are particularly comfortable. Look out for them when shopping for your summer clothes.

In addition to the natural, breathable fabrics, UV-protective clothing for babies is extremely important. In summer the sun shines even more intensely than in spring. With sun hats, UV long-sleeve shirts and trousers you protect your infants from sunburn.

HABA has for you a practical list for your summer baby compiled. Below you'll find which baby clothing and accessories you shouldn't be without.

Checklist: Basic equipment for babies in summer

• Short-sleeved bodysuits

• UV clothing

• Sun hats

• Rompers

• lightweight pants

• Shorts

• Socks

• long-sleeved tops made of cotton

• light jackets

• Dresses

• Swim shorts or swimsuits

• Sunglasses

• thin caps

• T-shirts

The right baby clothing at a glance for every temperature

Baby sling and stroller in summer: The right clothing for every situation

Do you love showing your little ray of sunshine the world in the stroller? In summer such outings are perfect. However, bear in mind that heat can build up in the stroller.

Use the openings in the canopy, so that the air can circulate well. Also occasionally check the temperature inside the stroller with your hand and see whether it is too warm or cool for your baby.

Dress your baby as you would in spring preferably in two or more layers of thin fabrics so that you can change if necessary. With a small sun umbrella on the stroller or a sun canopy you provide shade – and at the same time UV protection.

If you carry your baby in a wrap or carrier, your body gives off a lot of heat. In autumn and winter this is a cozy side effect. In summer, carrying close to your body tends to cause sweaty skin in both children and adults.

So pay attention not to dress your little ones too warmly here. On the upper body, a layer of thin cotton fabric is sufficient. If the legs hang out of the carrier, they can be covered. Rompers are ideal here. For shorts, thin socks are a good option so your little one doesn't get cold feet.

If your baby's entire little body is wrapped in the sling, this is of course not necessary. It's best if you also wear clothing made of natural materials. Avoid synthetic fabrics such as polyester that are not breathable.

When walking in a carrier, your baby's head is usually directly exposed to the sun. A sun hat, preferably with a neck flap, or you use the integrated head covering in your carrier to protect your little one from UV radiation.

If you're out in summer to run errands, there are often large temperature differences. It's hot outside, and the supermarket's air conditioning runs full blast. For such situations it's worth carrying a thin blanket in the changing bag to carry.

If necessary you can put this over your baby in the stroller or infant car seat. For newborn summer babies, light caps or bonnets are recommended.

Our tip: Summery accessories for on the go

Besides the right summer clothing, there are additional tips to ensure your baby feels completely comfortable. With practical little helpers and accessories make high temperatures and the bright sun worry-free and bring good cheer.

Practical sun cloths on the car window are ideal as shade providers for the trip to the lake or swimming pool. Also models for the pram and buggy are indispensable in summer. If you don't have a little parasol or sun sail to hand, a tucked-in muslin burp cloth on. But never put a blanket completely over the pram hood – heat builds up underneath and it becomes far too hot for your baby.

When it gets particularly hot, small stroller fans practical. But make sure they are directed only at the little ones' legs and do not blow into their faces.

With tiny sunglasses you can protect even the smallest eyes from the sun's UV rays – and your summer babies look a little bit cuter.

How to dress your babies for hot summer nights

In high summer, nighttime temperatures rarely fall below 18 degrees. On mild nights, babies and toddlers can often have difficulty falling asleep. All the more important is that you dress your baby properly even at night. Usually your little ones like to snuggle into a warm sleeping bag, but that can quickly become too hot in summer. Choose a thin muslin sleeping bag without sleeves in this season and dress newborns or infants in layers depending on the temperature. HABA has put together for you an overview compiled, which you can use as a rough guide:

For nights between 18 and 19 degrees:

• thin summer sleeping bag

• long-sleeved bodysuit

• long-sleeved pajamas with feet or little socks

For nights between 20 and 21 degrees:

• thin summer sleeping bag

• short-sleeved bodysuit

• long-sleeved pajamas

For nights between 22 and 23 degrees:

• thin summer sleeping bag

• long-sleeved pajamas

• no additional bodysuit

For nights between 23 and 24 degrees:

• thin summer sleeping bag

• short bodysuit without legs

• no additional layers

For the rare nights above 24 degrees, your baby doesn't need a sleeping bag and will only feel comfortable in a lightweight pajama. Below 18 degrees, it's best to opt for a warmer sleeping bag.

In general: In the summer months, nighttime temperatures can vary greatly. In the evening, it's better to check the weather forecast and adjust the summer clothing for sleep accordingly.

Reliable sun protection for babies

UV and sun protection are the most important things you should consider for your baby in spring and summer. The higher the sun is at the zenith, the more caution is advised. Here the motto is 'the more, the better'. Even if the sun hides behind the clouds, there is the risk of sunburn. The skin of babies and children is particularly sensitive – therefore you can never apply enough sunscreen.

Sunscreen is not the only sun protection for babies. With UV-protective clothing made from special fibers you can easily prevent sunburn with textile protection. The practical garments are put on in no time and provide complete protection, even when wet.

The bare little hands and feet as well as the face are of course still reliant on sunscreen. A sun hat with neck protection completes the summer look of your sweet little ones and protects the delicate head.

Babies and summer heat: tips to cool down the little ones

With summery baby clothing made from breezy materials, your infant or newborn will feel great.

If it does get too hot, HABA has useful tips to cool your summer kids down quickly.

• Put teethers in the freezer for a few hours and then let your baby chew on them afterwards – that cools down and additionally soothes the palate during teething.

• Fill a small paddling pool or a bathtub with lukewarm water and cool off while playing with rubber duckies & Co. The small pools are also suitable during pregnancy for cooling your legs.

• After a few hours in the fridge a water play mat becomes a refreshing toy for little crawlers.

• With a spray bottle you dampen warm little legs and arms with water and will surely elicit a laugh or two from your baby with the ticklish sensation. If your baby is due in high summer, the refreshing spray bottle will certainly also be used by moms to cool down.

Image credits

Parents with stroller © New Africa - stock.adobe.com

Toddler playing in the water © Alexandra - stock.adobe.com