Summer babies- What do they need? « Back to Group Discussions

[InLove2009]

Hi everyone,

so since we know now that our precious little baby is a boy, we started a registry. We live in Michigan, so starting in October it gets pretty chilli. With that in mind (Mason will be about 3 months old), what do we need for the baby? Do I need one of those car seat covers? How about hats and blankets? Do babies wear hats as newborns in the summer? What about socks, and those cute little mittens? 

We are planning on having him sleep in his crib right from the start- what do I need for the crib? I am just a little lost I guess. I am trying to figure out what I will need for him so he is not too warm, not too cold. Do babies get cold easily? So far I have bought just short sleeve onsies, shorts and t-shirts for the newborn size. Do I actually need something warmer? Last year our house reached about 95 Degrees on some days. 

Thank you in advance for your input! 

[g&a]

This is a good question.  I haven't had a summer baby before so I'm just guessing here, too.

Thinking short sleeve onesies with sweaters for cooler nights would be a good bet.  I would get a light cotton hat for the very first days and see if you still need it after that. Keep in mind that most of the gifts people give will be clothes and toys.  I tend to not buy a lot of those things and spend my money on things I know I won't get as gifts like cloth diapers.

Some babies do get cold easily, depends on how chubby they come out.  My girls were both early and skinny so we had to bundle them up a lot more than you would a baby with more body fat.  It's hard to predict.

One thing you might want is some kind of umbrella or sun tent for outside if it's that hot.  keeping the sun off and keeping them cool might be an issue.

I personally think the tiny mitts are completely rediculous.  (the anti-scratch ones, not winter mitts)

Curious to see what other moms post.

[talldarkeyes]

I liked, and used the anti-scratch mittens. I guess it just depends on how much your baby paws at his face.

I think a sun hat is necessary, especially if you are planning on wearing your baby. Otherwise I assume you will have him in a bucket seat and stroller combo and the sun shades on those are quite effective.

With our foster son, who was a June baby, he was just in socks and short sleeve onesies during the day and lightly swaddled at night.

As for winter and car seat covers...I have never used one either during a Pennsylvania winter or a northern Wyoming winter. I just bundled them up with blankets after I buckled them in. You get so many blankets anyway and they are probably easier to wash.

I have never used a crib, so I have no idea and I also swaddled in flannel blankets so with just a zippered sleeper they seemed warm enough.

[heyitskalista]

This will be my third summer baby!

My babies wear hats year around for at least the first year. So hats are a must here. We will do knitted bonnet or pilot style caps.

For clothes, we usually stick with short sleeves onesies and a light long sleeved cardigan over top. Baby legs are awesome in the summer. We do that instead of pants because itales diaper changes easier. Light socks or knitted booties. Remember that newborns can't regulate their temperature like we can. My general rule is to dress them one step up from what I'm comfortable in. So if I'm in short sleeves shirts and a skirt or shorts, I put light long sleeves and light pants or baby legs on them. We do a lot of layering. Especially when we will be out and may be somewhere where it's air conditioned.

Muslin blankets are wonderful... Not too hot but still a nice way to cover up.

We've never used the scratch mittens but I knowing people who love them.

[cynthiamoon]

I am wondering this too, and wondering how to transition into winter. So far, we've registered for lightweight blankets for summer swaddling and plan on using only simple cotton onesies and leg warmers the first few months. Cloth diapers count as pants... Right?

[cynthiamoon]

For winter... We'll have to see. I hear "what you wear plus one layer" a lot and that's a scary number of layers for me in the winter. But, like Kalista said, layering is best, so I don't think I can cheat by getting one super-warm thing and calling it a day.

[lolliegee]

If you're doing a lot of skin-to-skin, then they really won't need much in the way of clothing. Your body will be enough to regulate their temperature. If you're going out, light clothing and a light blanket work well. I like using a blanket as the second layer in the summer because it's much easier than putting on or taking off clothes.

As the weather turns, we like to do onesies paired with comfy one piece sleepers. They're so soft and cozy and baby looks so cute. In the car, we just use extra blankets since you're not supposed to put thick clothes between them and their seat belts. Babywearing is awesome in the winter too because once again, your body helps regulate their temperature.

As for the scratch mittens, we just make sure baby's nails are kept short. I feel like it's more important for them to be able to use their hands to suck on or explore whatever they might want to.

[here we are]

Bump...

[CountryMommy]

My previous babies were born in Feb and April so having a newborn this summer will be a change for me! I have lots of onesies, sleepers, etc so I don't need to buy anything before baby comes, I will just wait and see what I need, if anything after baby comes. With my first baby, I bought everything under the sun and didn't use half of it so I am more frugal now and will need even less as I have kept most of the stuff :)

[g&a]

I forgot about bonnets.  I am a sucker for bonnets on babies in the summer to keep the sun off, then in the spring/fall for warmth.  Guess I will have to figure out something less girly for this one... hmmm... Seeing some sewing in my future...

[InLove2009]

Thanks for all the input so far! I guess I'm not as concerned for what I need to buy, because I think people will just give me things. But I'm more concerned about overheating, or making the baby chili. I have never been around a summer baby, so I have no clue about anything... Lol

[cynthiamoon]

G&A: maybe something biking-cap inspired? Or those little train-conductor type hats? They are basically bonnets but in manly colors.

[cynthiamoon]

Me? I'd put that boy in a bonnet. Especially if it was a simple one. But then again, I am unseasoned, and don't know how well I'll handle gender non-confmity criticism once actually out and about.

[talldarkeyes]

Originally Posted by InLove2009 

Thanks for all the input so far! I guess I'm not as concerned for what I need to buy, because I think people will just give me things. But I'm more concerned about overheating, or making the baby chili. I have never been around a summer baby, so I have no clue about anything... Lol

The baby will let you know if he is uncomfortable and he wont get sick from being a little hot or cold until you can fix it. I read once that babies are most comfortable at 75 degrees. Just do short sleeve onesies with or without baby legs for the summer and long sleeve onesies and pants or rompers/sleepers for winter. Always have a weather appropriate blanket with you, light cotton for summer and a heavier blanket for winter. If you are planning on being outdoors a lot then you will have to plan accordingly. It may seem complicated but all your baby wants is to be close to you anyway.

[heyitskalista]

Originally Posted by talldarkeyes 


The baby will let you know if he is uncomfortable and he wont get sick from being a little hot or cold until you can fix it. I read once that babies are most comfortable at 75 degrees. Just do short sleeve onesies with or without baby legs for the summer and long sleeve onesies and pants or rompers/sleepers for winter. Always have a weather appropriate blanket with you, light cotton for summer and a heavier blanket for winter. If you are planning on being outdoors a lot then you will have to plan accordingly. It may seem complicated but all your baby wants is to be close to you anyway.

Very true! 

Like Sheila said, skin to skin is the best way to deal with temperature.  If you wear your baby, it won't really matter what they're in! :)

[InLove2009]

So maybe I need a good carrier :) I registered for a Baby Bjorn... I have had it recommended by 3 friends. Can you sit with a baby in front of a fan? Like I said, our house got SOOOO hot last year (upper 90's) that I am worried both the baby and I will overheat lol We are seriously considering getting central air if our tax refund is big enough

[talldarkeyes]

Baby Bjorn's suck suck suck suck suck. If you plan on ever wearing your baby after he is 10 lbs. you need a better carrier like the Beco, Boba or Ergo etc. See if you can find a babywearing group in your area or even La Leche League ; there are probably lots of moms that can tell you about baby wearing options and let you try out carriers on real babies to see what you like. Trust me, you do not want a baby Bjorn.

[cynthiamoon]

Consensus on baby carriers doesn't exist except that everyone feels strongly about their favorite, and almost everyone says it all depends on what they baby likes so there's nothing you can do about it now. I have just let go and am allowing myself to not expect to find "the" best anything. Just my 2cents before you go crazy!

[Tenk]

I agree that the Baby Bjorn is awful and not worth the money when you could get an even better carrier for about the same price as it.  I love Moby, and Mei Tai, and bought an Ergo this time around too.

[heyitskalista]

I agree with talldarkeyes that Bjorne suck. So uncomfortable!

Everyone has their own preference (heck, I have quote a few different carriers because they all have good qualities). Check if there's a babywearing group in your city or a natural parenting store where you can try out different ones to see what you like!