Come Summer or Winter, the one Fashion Accessory that looks best on you, is your Baby!
Of course you’d like to proudly show off your Baby, and with good reason! They are, after all, more precious than anything you will ever be in possession of. That being said, in the upcoming summer, you need to be a tad more careful when it comes to Babywearing.
What is Babywearing? If you’re one of those parents who ask that question, you’re not alone. If you’ve ever seen a mother in a supermarket carrying a baby in a sling, that’s Babywearing for you! In this article, we will show you how ‘wearing’ your baby can be possible in the blistering heat of Summer, too. This includes knowing what type of clothes we wear in summer, but more importantly, what Baby wears, too. After all, Baby’s comfort is the number one priority for parents! Let’s begin, with a closer look at What is Babywearing?
Babywearing: The Basics
As mentioned in the introduction, Babywearing implies carrying your baby around with you, whilst they are strapped to your body. While some parents strap their babies onto their chests, others prefer strapping them to their backs.
You will be amazed at the ease with which plenty of babies enter a state of Calm, when their parents ‘wear’ them. One of the reasons might be the fact that they are indulging in that precious ‘bonding’ time. Besides, it ensures that their parents are literally ‘freed up’ to do many tasks they would ordinarily not be able to perform otherwise. Further, keeping the baby close to Mama’s chest, only ensures that the process of breastfeeding becomes more ‘natural’ and effectively, far ‘simpler’!
Summer Babywearing: Tips to keep Baby Comfortable
Did you know that babies are far more sensitive to extremes in temperature? That means you have to pay special attention to Babywearing in Summer. Use the following tips, to make that Summer Babywearing a most pleasurable experience for your little one.
- Minimize their layers of clothing
- Dress for the Weather
- Don’t expose them to the Sun for too long
- Stay Hydrated
- If you are breastfeeding a baby, you might want to get a ‘ring-sling’, to facilitate the process of feeding them.
- If you are bottle-feeding a baby, don’t forget to carry that bottle of formula along.
- Monitor the temperature at the back of the neck
The first thing you need to realize here, is that the ‘sling’ you are using to carry your baby around, accounts for yet another ‘layer’ of clothing.
To do: You want to minimize the number of layers they are wearing, before you step out in the heat with them.
Now’s the time to go deeper into the ‘detailing’ of those layers of clothes both baby and parent wear. One of the most important considerations to be made here, is what ‘type’ of clothes we wear in Summer.
To do: You want to choose clothes that are both ‘lightweight’ and made of ‘breathable’ fabrics. A good choice here would be 100 percent Linen or Cotton.
You might be thinking, what’s the harm in being in the sun for long, if I apply sunscreen lotion on my baby’s skin beforehand? In case you didn’t know, you cannot use sunscreen lotion on a baby less than 6 months of age. Even if you’re applying sunscreen lotion on their skin, it’s not a 100 percent-effective solution to prevent that Baby Sunburn!
To do: Avoid being in the sun for long periods of time.
Once again, this one’s applicable to both Parent ‘and’ Baby! Staying hydrated in the summer heat is essential.
To do: You want to carry a bottle of water with you, so you can constantly replenish your body’s water reserves on hot days. That being said, don’t forget about baby! Ensure they are well-hydrated, too.
When you’re out in the blazing heat with your baby, you can never be too careful!
To do: You want to ensure that from time to time, you place your fingers on the back of Baby’s neck, to see how warm they are. If their skin is too hot or even moist, you want to get them to cool off with immediate effect!
Summer Babywearing: Tips for choosing the Best Summer Baby Carriers
Where it comes to your child, only the ‘best’ will do! That’s why, it’s important to choose the ‘right sling’that will work best in those summer months.
- The Right Material
- Superior Comfort
- Padded Straps
- Large Shoulder Straps
- A fabric that’s ‘soft’
- Minimalistic Carriers
- Choosing a Back Carrier
Just like the clothes that you and baby wear, that sling needs to be ‘light’ and ‘airy’, too! The idea is to choose a sling made of a fabric that’s not only ‘breathable’, but one that’s capable of ‘absorbing moisture’, too. Here it is important to look out for carriers that have been specifically designed for summer. For instance, a carrier that has a ‘mesh fabric’ for the central panel.
Hot Tip: You want to choose a carrier that has a ‘single layer.’ Needless to say, this will minimize the chances of ‘overheating.’
Summer weather is not the most ‘comfortable’ weather. Which is why, it is all the more important to ensure you have a baby carrier that provides superior comfort.
To do: You want to look for a baby carrier that comes equipped with the following.
Why complicate things, when it’s best to keep them simple?
To do: You might want to look out for carriers that are not too ‘complicated’ in terms of their structure. That will only ensure that you end up purchasing a ‘lighter’ carrier, that is effectively ‘cooler.’
If your baby is old enough, you might wish to consider strapping them to your back! Generally speaking, a back carrier will provide a superior sense of comfort in those summer months.
Tip: You might even consider a Hip Carrier, if a Back Carrier doesn’t work for you.
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