☀️ Summer Safety for Babies: Simple Ways to Keep Your Little One Safe, Cool & Hydrated
Updated: Aug 23
Summer with a new baby can be wonderful—walks in the sunshine, trips to the beach or pool, backyard afternoons, and plenty of time spent outdoors. But babies also need a little extra protection from the summer heat, sun, and water.
Their bodies are still developing, which means they can become overheated or dehydrated more quickly than older children and adults. The good news? A few simple precautions can make a big difference.
Here are some of our most important summer safety tips for babies and young children.
1. Protect Baby From the Sun
Babies have delicate skin, so shade and protective clothing should be your first line of defense against the sun.
When you’re heading outdoors, consider:
A lightweight, breathable sun hat with a brim
Lightweight clothing that covers the arms and legs when practical
UV-protective rash guards or swimwear
A stroller canopy or other source of shade
Avoiding prolonged direct sun, particularly during the strongest part of the day
For babies under 6 months, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends avoiding direct sunlight whenever possible. Protective clothing, hats, and shade are especially important for this age group. (Environmental Working Group)
What about sunscreen?
For babies under 6 months, check the sunscreen product’s labeling and talk with your pediatrician if sunscreen is needed. The preferred approach is generally to protect their skin with shade and clothing rather than relying on sunscreen.
For babies over 6 months, sunscreen becomes an important part of your sun-safety routine.
2. How Do You Choose a Safer Sunscreen?
Walking down the sunscreen aisle can feel overwhelming. There are dozens of brands, ingredients, SPF numbers, sprays, sticks and lotions—and not all products are created equally.
One resource parents may find helpful is the Environmental Working Group’s Guide to Sunscreens, which allows you to search individual products and compare their ingredient and safety ratings. (Environmental Working Group)
When shopping for a sunscreen for babies and children, EWG recommends looking for mineral sunscreen containing zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide. (Environmental Working Group)
A few other practical tips:
Look for broad-spectrum protection.
Choose an SPF appropriate for your child’s age and the product’s directions.
Avoid relying on sunscreen alone—combine it with shade and protective clothing.
Reapply according to the product’s directions, particularly after swimming, sweating, or toweling off.
Consider a lotion or stick rather than an aerosol spray, particularly around young children.
And remember: the goal isn’t to find a “perfect” sunscreen. It’s to protect your baby’s skin while choosing a product you’re comfortable using consistently.
3. Does My Baby Need Extra Water in the Summer?
This is one of the most common questions parents have when the temperature rises.
Breastfed babies
Babies under 6 months who are exclusively breastfed generally do not need supplemental water, even during hot weather. Breast milk provides the hydration they need.
Instead of offering water, continue breastfeeding as usual and follow your baby’s hunger and feeding cues.
Formula-fed babies
The same basic principle applies to formula-fed babies under 6 months: do not routinely give additional water simply because it’s hot outside.
Infant formula should be prepared exactly according to the manufacturer’s directions. Adding extra water to formula or giving additional water can disrupt a baby’s electrolyte balance and can be dangerous. (HealthyChildren.org)
Around 6 months, babies can begin having small amounts of water as complementary foods are introduced. The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that babies 6–12 months generally need only about 4–8 ounces of water per day, with breast milk or formula still providing most of their fluids. (HealthyChildren.org)
If you’re concerned that your baby isn’t getting enough fluids—particularly if you notice significantly fewer wet diapers, unusual sleepiness, a dry mouth, or other signs of dehydration—contact your pediatrician.
4. Keeping Baby Cool in the Car
Car rides can get surprisingly hot, especially for a baby riding rear-facing in the back seat where the vehicle’s air conditioning may not reach very well.
First and most importantly:
Never leave a baby or child unattended in a vehicle, even for a few minutes.
Cars can heat up extremely quickly. The AAP notes that a vehicle’s interior temperature can rise by about 20°F in just 10 minutes, and children heat up faster than adults. (HealthyChildren.org)
When traveling:
Start the air conditioning before placing baby in the car when possible.
Dress baby in lightweight clothing.
Check the baby’s chest or back periodically for signs of overheating.
Make sure the harness remains properly fitted and snug.
Avoid adding aftermarket padding, liners, or accessories underneath baby or behind the harness unless they are specifically approved by the car-seat manufacturer.
Have you heard of a Noggle?
A Noggle is a flexible tube that attaches to a vehicle’s air vent and helps direct cool air toward passengers in the back seat. It can be particularly helpful for rear-facing babies who aren’t directly in the path of the vehicle’s air conditioning. (Noggle)
A Noggle is a comfort tool—not a substitute for appropriate car-seat use, supervision, or a properly cooled vehicle.
5. Water Safety: Supervision Is Everything
Pools, lakes, beaches and even small backyard water features can make summer memorable—but water requires constant, attentive supervision.
The AAP recommends using multiple layers of protection against drowning, including:
Close, constant supervision around water
Barriers that prevent unsupervised access to pools
Appropriate life jackets around open water
Swimming and water-safety skills when developmentally appropriate
Knowing basic CPR and being prepared to respond in an emergency (HealthyChildren.org)
For babies and toddlers, don’t assume that being just a few feet away is enough. Drowning can happen quickly and silently.
And remember: floaties and other inflatable toys are not a substitute for a properly fitted life jacket or adult supervision.
A Little Preparation Goes a Long Way
Summer doesn’t have to mean keeping your baby indoors. With a little planning, babies can safely enjoy walks, vacations, outdoor gatherings, pool days and family adventures.
Think about the basics before heading out:
Shade. Clothing. Sun protection. Hydration. A cool car. Constant water supervision.
These small steps can help you spend less time worrying about summer hazards and more time enjoying the season with your little one.
A Note From North Jersey Doulas®
As doulas and newborn-care professionals, we believe that helping parents feel confident goes beyond birth. Knowing how to safely care for your baby during everyday situations—including hot summer days—is an important part of the transition into parenthood.
If you’re a new or expecting parent and want more hands-on guidance with newborn care, feeding, soothing, sleep, safety, and those everyday “What do I do?!” moments, our newborn education programs are designed to help you feel more prepared and confident.
Because parenting doesn’t come with an instruction manual—but you don’t have to figure everything out alone.
