4 Ways to Dress Your Baby for Summer

Ah, the British summer. We spend so long waiting for it — then the moment it arrives, we’re complaining it’s too hot. It can feel a little overwhelming (especially for little ones), but with lighter layers and our top tips on how to keep baby cool in summer, we’ve taken the heat out of dressing and put the breeziness back in. So, the only thing you need to focus on is finding the shady spots.

At Home

When indoors, it’s all about keeping things breathable, fuss-free (and the fans on). In a heatwave, just their nappy will do, otherwise lightweight fabrics that allow air circulation — such as a cheesecloth baby romper or a short sleeve baby bodysuit — should keep them comfortable. For supervised naptimes, a large muslin can be used as a light blanket or you can use a thin 1-tog baby sleeping bag when the evenings start to cool. You can find more information on safe sleep in our How To Dress a Baby For Sleep Guide.

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In The Pram

Out and about? Then think light layers you can add or remove during nappy changes. A baby romper is great for this thanks to the quick-change features of the poppers along the crotch and legs. If you need a smarter all in one, a lightweight baby boy dungarees set is perfect for little crawlers enjoying a grassy picnic pitstop. Don't forget to keep their little heads protected with a baby sun hat, make sure the pram parasol is over them and invest in a pram fan when you need to move from one shady spot to the next - you can never have too many pram accessories afterall!

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At The Beach

Seaside days are all about protection and practicality while they happily explore their sandy surroundings. When thinking about head-to-toe coverage, a UPF50+ sunsafe suit with a legionnaire-style swim hat and baby sunglasses are key staples for blocking out UV rays (don't forget the baby-safe sunscreen!) while the quick-drying fabric is perfect for storing in the beach bag on the way home. They're stretchy enough to fit nappies too - a reusable swim nappy is perfect for wearing underneath to contain little accidents as they paddle.

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Summer BBQ

Social events with friends and family can feel like a juggling act (especially if you’re hosting!) and working out how to dress baby in summer can feel like one more thing to think about. Keep them cool while still looking cute with easy-dressing pieces. Think floaty baby summer dresses for tiny twirlers, or mix-and-match baby t-shirts and baby shorts for little scouts who love to explore. And when the evening breeze rolls in, a lightweight baby cardigan is your just-in-case hero layer.