Ten Tips For A Super Summer With Your Baby

Ten Tips For A Super Summer With Your Baby
By Paula Dennholt

Summer time and the living is easy...

Or is it?

Here are some useful tips to help you have a really great
summer with your baby.

1) The sun

Stay out of it. Or at least make sure your baby stays out of
the sun. Baby skin is very delicate and can't handle the sun's
rays. Keep your baby in the shadow and protect him with clothes
and hats. Sunscreen cream is really a last resort solution, as
it can contain harmful substances.

2) Hydration

Make sure you or your baby doesn't get dehydrated. If you only
breastfeed, consider feeding your baby a bit more often than
usual if it is very hot. And make sure you drink a lot of water,
to stimulate milk production (and to feel good yourself). If
your baby has started to eat solid food, offer water also
between meals.

3) The heat

If your baby sleeps in a stroller or car seat, check often how
warm he is. Both a stroller and a car seat can become very hot.
You might even want to consider buying a thermometer and put it
into the stroller, especially if your baby is really young.
Babies younger than 4 months, are at the highest risk for SIDS
(Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) and being over heated is one
possible cause.

4) Bugs

A mosquito net both for the stroller and the travel crib, if
you use one, is very practical. This way you can be pretty sure
that flies, wasps and other unpleasant guests can't reach your
baby. Some mosquito nets contain sun screen - great, although
you still can't place your baby in direct sun light, of course.

5) Daylight

In many places, summer means a lot more daylight. Sunny
evenings, sunny mornings - and in worst case a baby that
believes that 5 am is the time to get out of bed. Hey mom, the
sun's up, why aren't we...?

To prevent this, make sure your baby's bedroom is as dark as
possible. Give your baby plenty of fresh air and stimulation
during daytime, to make sure that he is really tired at night.

And if nothing helps - take turns with your spouse to get up
early and try to think ´positive. If it wasn't for your little
darling, you'd never see those beautiful dawns, right? Yawn!

6) Bathing

If you want your baby to have some fun in the water, go a head!
Many babies get crazy with happiness when splashing the water.
Just remember to let your baby decide if he wants to just dip
his toes or have a real bath. If the water is colder than 90 F
(32 C), your baby should not swim only splash; it is simply too
cold for his little body.

If you’re going to swim in a pool, consider smearing your baby
with baby oil before bathing. The chlorine in the water can
really make both your and your baby's skin dry. But remember,
your baby will become very slippery, so be careful!

7) Enjoy the green world

Unless your baby is newborn, he is likely to find leaves,
flower and grass very exiting. Let him touch the grass with his
hands and feet and smell the flowers. Even lying on his back
watching the leaves sway above his head while you take a walk
can be great fun for a baby.

8) Diapers off

Let your baby spend time without his diapers as much as
possible. This is great for his skin and prevents diaper rash
that might develop from using moist, warm diapers all day long.
Let your baby lie on a towel in the grass (in the shadow) and
just enjoy the summer breeze.

9) Food storage

With warm weather comes bacteria growth. If your baby has
started to eat solid foods, make sure that you serve your baby
fresh foods. Throw away anything that seems suspicious and don't
store food for more that a day or so.

10) Breastfeeding in public

Summer often means more time outside and away from home.
Practice your breastfeeding skills so that you feel comfortable
with breastfeeding in public. Buy some really good nursing tops
and bras and try to teach your baby to breastfeed under a
blanket. This way you can breastfeed almost anywhere.

Have a great summer with your baby!

About the Author: Paula Dennholt is the founder of
http://Easybabylife.com, a website dedicated to help parents
make life with a new baby pleasant. Find tips about daily care,
baby sleep, traveling, breastfeeding, fun activities, mom care
and much more.

Source: http://www.isnare.com

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