Summer is rolling around, and with it comes bright sunshine and hot temperatures. For new parents, though, it can be tough to navigate what exactly they should do with their little ones. Babies, especially newborns, are particularly vulnerable to heat and sun-related issues, so knowing how to mitigate these is crucial. Luckily, there are a few steps you can take as a new parent to help make your little one’s first summer a little bit more comfortable.
Staying Cool
Overheating is something that happens more quickly than you’d expect when it comes to babies. For this reason, it’s a good idea to dress them in light, breathable fabrics such as cotton. Overdressing can quickly lead to them overheating. If you’re worried, you can check their temperature (in a general environmental sense rather than an illness sense) by putting two fingers on the skin of their backs, between their shoulder blades. This gives a more accurate idea of their core temperature than checking their hands or feet, which can often feel cooler. If bub’s back is warm, so are they. If they feel a bit sweaty or hot, they may feel more comfortable if you remove a layer. Likewise, if the skin there is a bit cool, they might benefit from adding another light layer. If it’s the heights of summer, they’re inside, and you don’t have an effective way to cool the air, such as aircon, keeping them in nothing but their nappy (or even without, if you’re feeling brave!) is perfectly ok.
Keeping Hydrated
For most babies under six months, regular breastmilk or formula feeds should be enough to keep them going. You might find they want to feed more often – this is as much because they’re thirsty as hungry, and it’s just the same as you might find yourself needing more water during hot days. Once they’re a bit older and no longer exclusively breastfed, offer plenty of water to keep them hydrated. However, when it’s really hot, you can also offer your child frozen breastmilk or formula to help cool them –and it’s an especially handy way to help them develop their hand-eye coordination once they’re able to hold a feeder. Haakaa’s latest addition to the Fresh Food Feeder family is the Octopus Freeze-N-Feed Mini Combo, combining the two-compartment mini Pineapple Nibble Tray with a brand-new version of the Fresh Food Feeder – this time in an adorable Octopus shape. You can pour freshly expressed breastmilk into the nibble tray, freeze it, then pop it into the feeder’s pouch, giving your baby a tasty way to cool down on those hot summer days. For babies already embarking on their solids journey, you can also use the combo to freeze any foods you want them to try, giving them new experiences as you deal with the heat.
Skin Protection
Baby skin is sensitive – much more than many people realise. For this reason, it’s vital to take extra special care when the sun is out, as their new, delicate skin burns very quickly. For newborns – and all babies under six months – it’s best to keep them out of direct sunlight as much as possible. This means sticking to the shade and keeping them covered up – though it's worth noting that UV rays can reflect off surfaces even when you're in the shade. Wide-brimmed hats and light, long-sleeved shirts & pants will be your best friends here. And don’t be surprised if your baby likes to pull their hat off – this is extremely common. Just keep an eye out and pop it back on if they do remove it. Sunscreen for the very littlest ones (under two months) is generally not recommended, but from about six months and up, special children’s sunscreens are available. Make sure to follow the instructions and apply and reapply regularly. Even with specialised children’s sunscreens, though, it is always advisable to do a patch test before using it all over your child’s skin. It’s also good to remember that just because it’s cloudy, that doesn’t mean you or your baby can’t get sunburn. Any time the UV index is at 3 or above, the risk is higher – and in New Zealand, the UV index can reach 15, regardless of cloud cover. Keep an eye on that UV index, and plan accordingly. Finally, baby sunglasses are another essential, protecting their sensitive eyes from UV damage. It all goes back to the old saying - Slip on a shirt, Slop on some sunscreen, Slap on a hat, and Wrap on some sunnies.
Timing
In New Zealand, the sun is at its peak between 10 am and 4 pm from September to April. This means outside these times is the best for outdoor play and is when it’s safest to head out if you’re worried about vitamin D. Luckily, to build up a good amount of vitamin D, Plunket recommends 10-15 minutes a day for those with lighter skin, and up to 20 minutes for those whose skin is darker. Doing this outside the peak sun is all you need without risking skin damage - though, as always, speak to your health professional for more tailored advice.
Insect Bites
Insects tend to come out in droves during summer, and babies can be particularly prone to bites. Happily, the same precautions for the sun can often be effective for insects. This mainly includes using lightweight clothing to keep the bugs from getting at their skin, but you can also see about getting mosquito nets. Just make sure any nets you use are suitable for use with baby gear (such as strollers) and are used only when you’re supervising them so you can make sure they don’t fall on top of bubs. Insect repellents aren’t usually recommended for use with newborns, but once they’re older, you can find products suitable for children.
Keep Up The Activities
Most of these precautions should be simple enough to keep on top of, and there’s no reason you can still have fun outside with your little ones! Sticking to the shade is more pleasant for most of us, especially mid-summer, and choosing age-appropriate activities such as baby pools or crawling on the grass can be wonderful ways to spend time together while keeping cool. As always, when water is involved, you’ll need to keep your little ones very close, but it’s a great way to spend the day while keeping cool. On top of that, these sorts of games can stimulate your baby’s senses, letting them learn more about the world around them. A little bit of care and a bit more specific planning will help you all stay happy and healthy while making some fantastic summertime memories.