by Blythe Lipman

 

Summertime can be a magical time for new parents with the smell of the flowers, the chirping of the birds and the happy cooing of your baby. The beauty of life seems to make us all smile when summer first arrives. The pace slows down and we are all ready for the fun to begin in spite of the heat.

Here are some tips to help keep your baby safe and happy during the summer months.

• Dress your baby in light weight fabrics. Take a sweater or blanket along if you are going to be in a place with air conditioning. Remember, if you are too hot, chances are your baby is, too. If your baby is under two months old, long sleeves and booties are a must while she is still adjusting to her new environment.
• Don't forget the water. We get thirsty and babies do too. Unless you are nursing and/or your pediatrician has told you the baby doesn't need anything except breast milk or formula, always take her a bottle of water when going out.
• Freeze your baby's pacifier and take it along on your outings. What could be more refreshing on a hot summer's day.
• NEVER leave your baby alone in the car, not even for a minute. Just because you can see her from the dry cleaners window doesn't keep her safe. Heat stroke can occur in babies very quickly.
• If you take snacks along when going out. Make sure to replace them frequently. The heat can make those goldfish crackers turn rancid very quickly.
• If your snacks or formula needs to stay cold, put a couple of frozen water bottles in your cooler. Your goodies will stay cold and you will have extra water if you get thirsty.
• After taking the baby out of her car seat, place a frozen water bottle in a zip-lock bag on top of the metal fasteners to keep them nice and cool.
• Buy a sunshade for the car to keep the sunlight off the baby.
• Baby's skin is very delicate and sensitive. Try and keep her out of the direct sunlight. The American Academy of Pediatrics says it is safe to apply a minimal amount of sunscreen to the exposed parts of the baby's body such as the face, back of hands and legs to avoid getting sunburn. Purchase sunscreen made especially for infants
• Use sunscreen even on cloudy days as most of the sun's burning rays go right through the clouds.
• Put a lightweight hat on your baby when going for a stroll.
• Enjoy your outside adventures before 10am and after 4pm. The sun's rays are the strongest between these hours.
• Babies under one year of age should not ride as a passenger on an adult bike. Make sure your child wears a helmet and is belted into the carrier seat before you start your adventure.
• Don't use insect repellent on infants and small children. Their hands are constantly in their mouths and ingestion of these products is not safe.
• If you are going to be out for a nature walk, don't dress your baby in brightly-colored or floral print clothing. These are a bug's favorites!
• The beach can be fun, but always try and keep your baby under an umbrella when she is playing in the sand.
• Look for summer attire that has UV protection in the fabric. UV Sungear.com is a great company to shop for all your baby's summer needs.
• ALWAYS Keep the Pool Gate Closed and Locked. This is one of the most important habits to get into even before you have children. Accidents only take seconds to happen

Relax, have fun and enjoy your summer. There is no greater joy than watching your baby blossom and grow!