January 2, 2025January 2, 2025
by Jessica Whitney

When the summer sun starts beating down, but you are due with a newborn, you may be wondering how to keep your newborn cool in summer. How do you keep your newborn cool in summer at the lake or at the pool? How to prevent your baby from overheating?

We love going to the pool, which is across the street from our house! But last summer with a 3 week old, I needed to be extra careful. Newborns can’t regulate their core temperatures as well as older kids and adults. Also, their skin is fresh and will burn easily.

Protecting your newborn from heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and other heat-related injuries is very important. Here are the top tips and tricks for keeping your newborn cool in a smart way. Enjoy summer activities with a newborn but ensure the safety of your newest little one.

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I originally published this post in 2018 and have recently updated it with my best tips after 4 babies!

12 Tips to Keep Your Newborn Cool in Summer

1. Stay out of direct sunlight

Wherever you go this summer, keep your newborn out of direct sunlight. Babies in general are not good at regulating their core temperature for heat or cold. Find the nearest shade and take a plop. If you will be walking around with a stroller, put the cover up or use one of these awesome 5-1 car seat covers to protect your baby from the sun.

2. Dress your newborn smartly

Cool, dry clothing like cotton is the best material for your newborn when it’s hot outside. We typically only put on a light onesie during the summer months. Forego the layered (but cuter) outfits and forget the pants. Dress your newborn lightly to protect them from the heat. A great addition to your newborn’s outfit might be one of these bucket hats.

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3. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate

Whether you are breastfeeding or bottle feeding, keep your newborn hydrated. Monitor how many wet diapers your baby is having to make sure your newborn is properly hydrated. Try to increase the amount of breastfeeding sessions if possible for your newborn. This goes without saying, but make sure YOU are plenty hydrated as well. I love drinking water out of my 24 Oz Owala because it keeps my water ice cold and it isn’t too big so fits in the diaper bag.

4. Apply minimal sunscreen, if possible

Keeping your newborn out of direct sunlight and dressing them smartly would be my first recommendations. But if you will be walking around in the sun, you should apply sunscreen to the skin that will be exposed to the sun. Newborns are fresh and their skin will easily burn!

Recommended sunscreens that worked the best for us: Aveeno Baby Suncreen and Honest Baby Sunscreen

5. Wet towel with cool water

If you’re using that Owala and you have nice cool water on hand, wet a burp cloth or other small towel and dab on your newborn’s forehead or neck. Don’t use water that is too cold though because you don’t want to drop your newborn’s temperature too quickly! Just apply a nice refreshing splash. My babies loved this!

6. Stroller fans for stroller

When I was a kid, I loved those fans you could hang around your neck with the spray bottle attached. Now that I’m a mom, I find these stroller fans to be pretty awesome! I used this all the time when my kids were little in the stroller!

7. Baby wear smartly

I am a huge proponent of attachment parenting and baby wearing, and that’s no different during the summer. But my Moby and Ergo that I love are a little warm sometimes in the summer. I do love to wear my mesh babywearing wrap by the pool or on hot summer days though! Great for keeping me and my newborn cool during the summer.

8. Keep blinds and curtains closed in your home

If you don’t have AC (or even if you do, keep your blinds and curtains closed in your home). This will keep the overall temperature in your home cooler and help keep your newborn cool in summer. Added benefit is you will save money on your electricity bill too!

9. Turn fans on

Both during the day and at night, turn your fans on. Not only will it help keep your home and newborn cool in summer, but it will also help with SIDS. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends turning on fans to reduce the chance of SIDS at night.

10. Minimal pajamas at night

Although you probably received a BUNCH of cute newborn jammies at your baby shower. I don’t recommend this during summer if you want to keep your newborn cool. Instead, keep your newborn in a diaper and wrap them in a cool muslin wrap instead. We love the Aden and Anais brand because the material is so light! Plus they have a bunch of super cute designs.

The added benefit of no jammies? It’s easy to change the diaper during those midnight feedings!

11. Never leave your baby in your parked car

This goes without saying, but never leave your newborn in your parked car. The car heats up QUICKLY. And your newborn will heat up even quicker. Grab that carseat and drag it inside when you run into the grocery store. Or better yet, use one of the online grocery ordering programs and pick up at the curb!

12. Stay inside during the hottest part of the day

The hottest parts of the day are from 10 a. m. to 2 p. m. If you have older kids try indoor activities like movies, jumping places, shopping, or roller skating rinks. Avoid being outside when the temperatures are at their worst! This will help keep your newborn cool during the summer the best.

What are common signs my baby is overheating?

If you’re baby’s face is getting red, they are irritable, or they’ve moved on to pale and clammy skin, it’s time to take action immediately to cool your baby. Read these signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke and what to do about it here.