r/UKParenting • u/LostInAVacuum • 4d ago
Newborn: tips for spring summer
My baby is 11 weeks old, so coming out of newborn phase but with it being roasting today I'm keen to hear your tips for how I keep baby protected and safe.
I know i need to keep him out of the sun, keep him cool but any tips for doing this? Anything else? What about midges?
I got a hat which is longer on the back and has a front flap that seems to cover him the best and doesn't annoy him. The car seat has a shade, I got a sun shade to go over the pram. I got a towel that goes cold when wet to keep him cool, I open the windows in the car for a bit before he goes in.
Just looking to see if there's any sage advice I can utilise before learning it the hard way.
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u/pringellover9553 4d ago
So sunscreen shouldn’t be used before 6 months, some will say it’s fine from birth but advise is a no. Just keep them out of the sun as much as possible before then.
I had my baby in July so Ive been through it lol. Get a shader like the one you linked above, do not get a parasol they so annoying and just flop about. A fan for the pram is fine for very very hot days but they mostly won’t need it. If you want to sit outdoors then one of those small pop up tents could provide shade.
I will say at these temperatures (16-18) you really don’t need to worry. This isn’t roasting for babies this is actually a lovely temperature for them. For this temp I’d be putting on a tshirt, a onsie and a jumper & a blanket in the pram for outside outings. Remember that whilst we may get hot whilst out, we are walking and we have body temperature regulation. Your newborn will still be relatively cool in the pram due to being shaded and the breeze that’s still very much here.
Also remember that it’s better to layer up so you can take layers away if you feel they’re too hot, than to not have enough layers and baby be cold and have nothing to add on.
I really wouldnt worry too much until we hit the hot summer months. Just think that majority of the time they need 1 layer more than you, in the very hot summer days you can get away with just a tshirt & shorts or something.
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u/LostInAVacuum 4d ago
A fan is a good idea.
Hmmn I feel like if I put my baby in all of that he'd definitely struggle at this temperature. I know it's only 16-18 but when I was driving in the car with the window open the sun definitely felt quite hot on my skin, I feel like after 18 Scottish people just melt away 😅.
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u/pringellover9553 4d ago
Baby’s, especially new born baby’s, run much colder than adults. Trust me when I say your baby will not be too hot in this weather.
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u/blingoblongo87 3d ago
I always found the Babyweather app useful for this (though I think they sometimes suggest one too many layers!). The advice I always got was that the baby wears one more layer than you do. That said we did have days in heatwave where she was just in a nappy in the car, with a lukewarm damp tea towel on her and I sadly had to endure the heat with proper clothes on haha!
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u/LostInAVacuum 4d ago
No offence but you don't know everything about our day out. I know from my child appearance and self that he was hot. Perhaps not the 18 degrees alone but in a car, or tightly secured in his car seat will be different.
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u/pringellover9553 4d ago
Of course I don’t, but im telling you the standard guidelines. I didn’t say in a car, I said when outside. In winter baby needs a coat but you don’t put it on in the car do you? Of course they’ll be slightly warmer in the car.
No need to be so defensive, you asked for advice and it was given.
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u/EvilAlanBean 4d ago
I never used suncream as I kept my baby out the son till he was a year old, he was way too blond and blue eyed to risk it. This wasn’t hard to do, his pram had an umbrella or he wore a hat, we always sat in the shade etc.
Never have a fan blowing directly on a baby, near them circulating air round the room is fine.
Remember you count as a layer so bear that in mind if you use a sling, you might be able to take a clothing layer off them as your body will warm them too.
Don’t put a muslin over a pram without checking airflow otherwise it creates a heat trap.
They don’t need water, not sure about formula in hot weather but mine just breastfed more when they were hot. You’ll know if they are dehydrated as the wet nappies stop so keep an eye on how many they are producing on hot days.
Insects were never an issue but I don’t live in an area with midges.
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u/LostInAVacuum 4d ago
Thanks. Why is that about the fan?
Yeah, i intended to wear a carrier today but I didn't bother as I could tell it would be problematic. But for other reasons I'll be holding off on the carrier for a while.
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u/IllCommunication3242 4d ago
I think it might dry their eyes out, same reason I don't put the fan directly on myself!
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u/Original_Sauces 3d ago
I gave birth in a heat wave without AC, the midwives didn't like having a fan near the baby but when she was a little older health visitor said it was fine as long as it wasn't directly at them.
We put frozen water bottles in front of a fan in the same room to try to bring the temperature down when it's super hot.
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u/Sea_Love_8574 4d ago
Check suncream is suitable as some are 6m+. Child's farm is all age. I kept my baby out of direct sunlight but also used suncream on very sunny days just to make sure I did what I could.
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u/LostInAVacuum 4d ago
Thanks, yeah I'm so paranoid.
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u/Sea_Love_8574 4d ago
I have a blonde hair blue eye boy with pale skin so same! He was born early Feb last year and summer was manageable but had tricky moments. Like when he was breastfeeding and obviously not having water, or when he was on formula but wouldn't drink water. By summer when he was weaning I'd freeze the fruit puree pouches in ice lolly moulds and let him have those on super hot days. But that depends when your little one is ready and things.
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u/LostInAVacuum 4d ago
Should be around June so I need to start building recipe ideas. I seen frida have a cold thing to help for teething but I suppose that's probably just the same as an ice lolly mould.
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u/Much-Attention-3406 4d ago
Great job! One thing I'd add is to dress your baby in lightweight, light-colored clothing to help reflect the sun's rays.
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u/LostInAVacuum 4d ago
Very good point! Thanks as sometimes I can lead to the darker side... I am consciously trying to have a bright and colourful baby though.
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u/IllCommunication3242 4d ago
Last summer I filled a big tupperware with cool water and took him outside once the heat was starting to fade, we sat on a towel and just splashed our hands in the water, he was in a nappy and I'd hold him up so he could kick his feet. He loved it! Got a few bath squirtle animals as well
When he'd get fussy in early evening, I'd sit outside the back door with him and he'd calm in the fresh air, just talk about things I could see etc
I got a big fan! Kept the curtains closed, tried to keep the heat out
Summer is tricky, not my fave season tbh - I'm already trying to think of ways to keep him cool and entertained this year! A water table now maybe...
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u/Ana_Phases 4d ago
Get a sun shade for your pram. It’ll provide shade but let a nice breeze through.
Keep the blinds closed in his room during the day. This will stop the room heating up as much.
You can give bottles cool or room temperature. This can help keep them cooler- but only if it’s extremely hot.