Keeping baby cool in the heat

Today's post is another in the series I'm doing with Huggies and BlogHer on baby's first year.

And I have to add - I love these series of posts because it gives me topics to write about all about motherhood! It's really fun for me to write - I hope it's fun for you to read. And I've been thankful for them to be scheduled the last 2 weeks because I'm in a total blog slump. I can't seem to find anything to write about. :-)

I don't know about where you live, but I live in the south and it gets HOT in the summer. It's been in the 90s since April this year, and I know we will hit 100 many, many times this summer. I love to be outdoors in the summer, but with a baby, that can be tricky. I'm talking today about ways to beat the heat with a baby.

Thankfully, most of us have air conditioning, so the #1 answer to beating the heat is just to stay inside. But it's fun to get outside, and if you have any other kids, you really can't avoid going outside.
One way to keep a baby cool is to get a little baby pool. If possible, put the pool in the shade in your yard or get a pool with some kind of cover. It's a good idea to keep a hat on a baby also. We had this little pool for Harper before she could really sit up, so we put her Bumbo in it. That's probably not the safest idea, but as long as you sit right with your child, it can help him or her get used to the water. (ALWAYS supervise children carefully near water!)

We love to go on walks in the summer, and I try to take the girls out in the early morning or right before bed, when it's still semi-cool. I also keep a cover on them to block the sun. Going on walks gives me exercise, and the girls enjoy being out for a ride. I always take cups full of water for them so they constantly have something to drink. That goes for anywhere we go. It's good to keep your baby hydrated.
I worry about the sun as well as the heat, so we also try to play outside in the mornings or in the late afternoons, and I keep my girls covered in high-SPF sunscreen.

It's also a good idea to keep your kids in cool clothing. I love little dresses or rompers on baby girls and little play outfits on boys. We always tie up the dresses in a knot if they get in the way while playing! It's also nice to let a baby take a cool nap in just a diaper sometimes.

Being out and about in the car in the summer can be tricky with babies. I try to make sure the air conditioning is on the girls, since their car seats can get hot. I also keep drinks for them in the car so they won't be thirsty. And I try to park in the shade when possible.

What are some ways you keep your kids cool in the summer? Especially babies?
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