Baby wearing in summer

Summer is finally here! Hot days, cool drinks, and splashing around in the water. For many parents, it's their first summer with a baby, and they're faced with many questions:

• What should I dress my baby in in summer?
• Would you prefer a sling or a baby carrier?
• How can I protect my baby from the sun?
• What else do I need to consider?

Image: ©emeibaby

How do I dress my baby while carrying it in summer?

First and foremost, as always, the sling or carrier replaces a layer of clothing! This means that if your baby is wearing a bodysuit and shirt, you should definitely remove the shirt. The arms and legs, as well as the head, need special protection – these are not protected by the sling.

Thin leg warmers made of breathable cotton, wool-silk, or UV-resistant fabric are particularly suitable for this. For very small babies, these can also be pulled over the feet for protection. Avoid socks – your baby regulates their body temperature through their feet and head!

Nevertheless, headwear is important and essential! Especially when direct sunlight cannot be avoided. A sun hat with a large brim at the neck and forehead, as well as ties for fastening, is ideal for protecting your baby. Make sure it has an SPF of 50+!

Lightweight cotton clothing—e.g., muslin or (long-sleeved) wool-silk clothing—is perfect for summer! Temperature-regulating and even equipped with a light sun protection factor, you're ready to go.

My favorite outfit on hot days? Baby in a long-sleeved wool/silk bodysuit and long wool/silk pants. Sunscreen on the feet and hands, and a large-brimmed hat.

I also like to wear a light, breathable shirt, but one that's cut high enough so my baby can't sweat his head against my bare skin. Wool/silk shirts for adults are also ideal – you don't sweat on each other, your baby won't get cold or hot, and all you need to do is air the clothes out after use. Thanks to the antibacterial properties of wool, you don't have to wash them. Simply hang them up, air them out, and put them back on.

Image: ©fräuleinhübsch

Sling or baby carrier?

When choosing a baby carrier or sling, you can also consider the material: hemp, linen, silk, Tencel, and bamboo viscose are particularly suitable for summer wear. They're breathable, usually antibacterial, super thin, and perfect for summer babywearing!

Hemp and linen also grow here – Mariblum uses 100% hemp from Germany. Therefore, by purchasing these scarves, you support regionality, environmental protection, and fair manufacturing conditions! From the seed of the plant to the sale of the scarves, nature is protected, workers are paid fairly, and small sewing businesses are supported.

Lennylamb produces great wraps in a wide variety of material combinations, colors, patterns, and lengths – there's truly something for everyone! Lennylamb wraps are soft from the start, making them ideal for newborns. Plus, the price-performance ratio is truly top-notch!

The quality of Lennylamb is really great and anyone who wants to try out some fancy material mixes should try such a wrap.

Image: ©lennylamb

Both slings and baby carriers made from the materials mentioned above are available in the shop - browse through and use the chat function if you need support.

There are some slings that require a good cuddle first, while others are as soft as butter right from the start. Especially if you're planning on carrying a newborn, the sling shouldn't be too stiff or too tight. Furthermore, it can be difficult for beginners to tie these slings with newborns.

Image: ©emeibaby

Single-layer sling styles like the simple backpack with finish or hip carry are perfect in summer - all you need is a short sling made of your favorite summer material and a little practice.

Ring slings, like the Minimonkey Mini Sling , are also ideal for summer. You can even take it into the water – it dries super quickly, packs down really small, and fits in any (beach) bag, glove compartment, or stroller.

Onbuhimos are just as popular in summer. Why? Because this baby carrier works without a waist belt! An onbu—as it's colloquially called—is one of many traditional baby carriers. It originates from Japan and doesn't have a waist belt; it's usually fastened with buckles. It's primarily worn on the back. Because of the lack of a waist belt, carrying in an onbuhimo puts more weight on the shoulders. Some people love it—some hate it. Experimenting is key! If you get the wrong onbu, you simply won't be happy with it.

The Onbu is also ideal for toddlers who still want to be carried, or for those on vacation. It's super quick to put on, packs down small, and can be carried comfortably and safely on your back when your child's legs are tired.

Image: ©buzzidil

What else should I consider?

Additionally, you should especially avoid the midday heat – don't go outside between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., as this is when the sun's rays are strongest. If this is unavoidable, you can also use a UV umbrella to protect your baby from the sun.

Only if you can't protect your baby from the sun with clothing and shade is a sunscreen with a mineral filter recommended. Be sure to check the ingredients beforehand – microplastics and petroleum residues are unfortunately not uncommon and have no place on the skin. I like to use the sunscreen for babies and children from Feeling . It's made from natural ingredients, free of harmful substances, and spreads easily. Make sure to rinse the sunscreen off the skin thoroughly!

What else is important? Drink plenty of fluids – this applies to you as well as your baby. Breast milk or formula is absolutely sufficient to quench your baby's thirst. Water or tea should not be offered if your baby is not yet receiving solids! Breast milk and formula contain everything your baby needs to quench their thirst while staying healthy.

Tea is generally discouraged – in the past (and unfortunately still today), fennel tea was offered to newborns. This is absolutely unnecessary and can lead to serious kidney damage! Tea should also not be viewed as a beverage, but rather as medicine. Water is the first and best choice for your baby once they start solids.

One final tip: Use a muslin cloth between you and your baby to absorb sweat. Make sure it's securely attached to the carrier or wrap so the fabric doesn't block their airways!

And now enjoy wearing it!