PopYum’s Top 10 Tips for Keeping Baby Cool in the Summer

It’s already halfway through June! Can you believe it? We’re diving into Summer! While Summer is a fun time to go out and explore - it is very important to keep your baby cool to avoid overheating. Why? Babies aren’t able to tell you that they’re too hot (though there are signs we can look out for) and they’re not able to regulate their body temperatures as easily as adults can- so there are a few things you can do to help keep your baby at a comfortable temperature during the Summer! 

Here is PopYum’s list of top 10 tips to keeping your baby cool during the Summer:

1. Look for shade! If you’re outside and you see some shade - go right into it! Not only will your baby be cooler there but so will you! The more time the baby spends in direct sunlight, the more tired your baby will become and more likely he or she will overheat. 
2. Plan on having more rest or nap time during the day. The more time your baby spends in the heat, the more tired and exhausted they will get. That’s to be expected! If your baby plays outside, make sure he or she also has time to rest to avoid fatigue.
3. If possible, try to avoid taking your baby out during the heat’s peak of the day - typically somewhere between 10 am and 4 pm. If you want to go outside with your baby, try going outside in the early mornings or in the later evenings as the temperature will typically be cooler. 
4. Make sure your baby is hydrated! PopYum bottles are AMAZING at this! Keep some extra preloaded PopYum bottles around so that you can feed your baby instantly whenever he or she gets thirsty! 
5. Try not to use sunscreen for babies less than 6 months old! With their thin, delicate skin, sunscreen can cause skin irritation- instead, try some other ways to keep your baby protected from the sun such as having a wide sun hat on, having them wear sunglasses, have them in a stroller shade, block some sunlight on baby with an umbrella, and use a car window shade on the sides of the car when driving. If your baby is 6 months or older, definitely use sunscreen. It’s best to use sunscreen that is hypoallergenic and fragrance-free to avoid any potential issues and remember to apply the sunscreen at 20-30 minutes before going outside. 
6. Choose light clothing! A general guideline is to make sure your baby is not wearing more than 1 layer of clothing of what you as an adult would feel comfortable in. Preferably, it’s best to dress your baby in a single layer of clothes. Cotton and linen are great options compared to synthetic fabrics as they are cooler, as well as lighter color clothing. Avoid putting black or very dark clothes on your baby as those will absorb heat easier, making your baby more likely to get overheated. 
7. Watch out for signs of overheating - If you see heat rashes on your baby’s skin, (they often look like red pimples), if your baby seems extremely fatigued, not interested in eating, and has their skin turning red, try to go indoors to an air conditioned place so that your baby can cool down. 
8. Keep your home at an ideal temperature - somewhere around 68 - 72 degrees. 
9. Give your baby a cool bath! Make sure the water is not too hot or cold of course, but cool. Your baby’s core body temperature can be lowered by being in cool water. 
10.  Keep your baby in a cool sleeping area. Put curtains up to block any sunlight through the windows. If you have a multi-floor house, you may want to consider having your baby sleep downstairs. Heat tends to travel up, so the lower levels tend to be a little cooler. 

Do you have any other tips you’d like to share with other amazing PopYum moms, dads, babysitters, and more? Share below! We’d love to hear!