Do Newborns Wear Long Sleeves In Summer?

  • By: The DIG for Kids
  • Time to read: 4 min.
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In most instances, sunscreen isn’t an option for very young babies under the age of 6 months, so having your baby wear long sleeves could be a great way to protect them from sunlight. It’s essential that if you put them in long sleeves and other pieces of clothing to cover their skin, you are also aware of the heat they will have to deal with. 

Newborns should wear things like long sleeves to cover exposed skin if they’re in sunlight. However, if you’re staying indoors or can be in areas without direct sunlight, you may want to use lighter layers to protect them against the heat. Using lighter fabrics can also be a good way of covering skin while allowing airflow.

You should also consider putting your newborn in pants and sun hats and keeping them in shaded areas as much as possible during the summer months. If you can keep them somewhere cool, that’s even better as it can prevent them from overheating. However, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t let your baby spend time outside, as enjoying the outdoors can be very beneficial.

Do Newborns Wear Long Sleeves in the Summer?

Newborns should wear long sleeves in the summertime to protect them from sunlight since sunscreen is not advisable for infants under the age of 6 months. While keeping them out of direct sunlight is also a good idea, there is still a chance of getting sunburned even wow staying in the shade. 

Navigating these summer months with your newborn can be tricky since you want to let them be outside and experience the fresh air while also protecting them from sunlight and other things in an outdoor environment. Sunscreen isn’t something that you’re going to want to put on your newborn, so having them wear layers like long sleeves can be a good way of covering any exposed skin. 

However, one of the things to keep in mind if you are going to have her newborn wearing long sleeves in the summertime is to account for the heat. You’re going to want to ensure that they are well hydrated and staying out of direct sunlight as much as possible since they are more likely to heat up with their skin covered.

How to Dress Your Newborn in the Summer

Newborns should wear loose clothing made with a light fabric while covering as much exposed skin as possible. You want there to be enough airflow that they can stay cool while also keeping their skin protected from direct sunlight. Incorporate other things like sun hats and strollers that have covers to keep them out of the sun as much as possible. 

The most important thing to keep in mind when choosing what your baby will wear of doors is to keep them protected from the sun. However, covering as much exposed skin as possible can make newborns susceptible to heat-related illnesses since they can’t cool down themselves.

Some things to keep in mind for dressing your newborn for the summer are:

  • Keep your newborn out of direct sunlight since their skin contains little melanin to protect them from sunlight.
  • Sunscreen is not advisable, so that you will need shade, clothing, and hats instead.
  • Avoid going outside in the afternoons when the sun will be at its strongest, and there will be the highest temperatures.
  • Cover as much of your baby’s skin as possible, from long sleeves to pants to sun hats with wide brims to protect not only their head but also their neck. 
  • Consider water activities such as playing in a paddling pool or sprinkler to help keep your baby cool. Never leave your baby in the water alone.
  • Keep your newborn hydrated. You may need to breastfeed or bottle-feed them more often than you usually would during hot weather. 

Keep these busy things in mind when dressing her newborn for summer weather, as it can be a little bit more challenging to navigate than cooler temperatures. Ensuring that your baby stays cool is very important, but it’s also essential to protect them from getting sunburned or getting scrapes from the environment in general.

How Can You Tell If A Newborn is Too Hot?

The best way to check if your baby is too hot is to touch their neck and ears. If either their neck or ears are red and feel hot to the touch, then you need to find a way to cool them down. Their neck being sweaty is also a sign that they are currently too hot.

Some signs to look out for that your baby is overheating are:

  • They feel warm to the touch
  • Their skin has a red tint to it
  • They have a rapid heartbeat
  • They feel feverish but aren’t sweating
  • They are lethargic or drowsy
  • They’re vomiting
  • They seem dizzy or confused

While your newborn may seem drowsy if they are overheating, they’ll probably have a restlessness to them beforehand, which indicates that they are you hot instead of overheating. You may want to check for a fever as well with a doctor.

Some of the ways that you can use to cool your newborn down are:

  • Offering them more fluids
  • Taking them into a cooler room or space
  • Dressing them in later clothing
  • Using a sponge with cool water on their forehead and neck

If there’s no improvement in their symptoms, then contact a doctor. You may find other symptoms, such as a heat rash when sweat irritates the skin. Be sure to check areas like their neck, armpits, chest, back, elbows, and thighs for any signs of tiny red dots or splotchy skin.

Conclusion

You should be putting your new board into long sleeves to help protect them from direct sunlight in the summertime. Sunscreen isn’t advisable for most newborns, so you’ll need to find other ways of covering up exposed skin, from long sleeves to pants to sun hats. Be careful about your child overheating with the added layers, and stick to shady areas when possible.

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