Keeping Your Newborn Healthy and Happy in the Summer

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Summertime offers fun for families of all ages, and if you've been spending your time indoors with your newborn baby, you both might be excited to take walks in a park and enjoy getting some sun. That being said, babies are a bit more sensitive to changes in temperature and direct sunlight than adults or even older kids, so it's important that you understand how to keep your baby safe and comfortable even as you're looking for fun outdoor activities to do together. Here are just a few of the ways that you should think about keeping your newborn healthy and happy during the summer.

Help your baby stay cool and comfy with the right stroller and accessories.

If you're headed anywhere outside with your baby, the odds are high that you're taking their stroller. Strollers are great for transporting your baby without requiring you to hold it, but they're also for much more than transportation. With the right accessories and features, your stroller is actually an excellent way to keep your infant cool and comfortable, even on the hottest days of the year.

One of the most important features for keeping your baby cool in its stroller during summertime is a shade. Some strollers even come with shades that have a flap and clear plastic, so that you can quickly check on your baby without having to completely retract the shade that's keeping them cool. Buying a portable stroller fan is another great idea if you want to add more breeze to your baby's ride. Stroller fans have all sorts of features, from a rechargeable battery with a USB cable to traditional models that use AA batteries. Thankfully, Stroller Buzz ranked the top stroller fans so you don't have to be inundated with the options and can just choose the best stroller fan for your baby stroller.

Don't skip regular check-ups!

Part of ensuring that your newborn is growing and developing normally is taking it to monthly checkups. Especially if you're planning on spending more time outside, you'll want to make sure that your child is up to date on its immunizations and vaccinations, since the chances are high that it will be exposed to more germs outdoors than it was indoors. If money's a bit tight, you may want to look at other options for family health insurance plans to make sure you're really getting the most bang for your buck when it comes to the insurance covering these check-ups. A website like Health Quote Gurus can help you compare your options, whether you're looking for a PPO plan or an HMO to help cover your family's medical costs.

Be careful with sunblock and bug spray.

If you're headed outdoors as a parent, you likely have a routine that involves sunblock in the daytime and some form of bug spray in the evening. While this is totally fine to do as an adult, babies are much more sensitive to chemicals, so you need to be particularly judicious in what you choose to use if you're going to be touching your baby at all. Since infants have thinner skin than children or adults, they are much more likely to absorb harmful chemicals if you apply sunscreen or bug spray directly to them.

If you have a cloth stroller, consider just spritzing some bug spray on the exterior if you're worried about your baby getting bitten by mosquitoes. If you absolutely must apply sunscreen to your infant, make sure that it's free of harmful chemicals that could irritate your baby's skin or cause further health concerns. If you're unsure about which products are best, be sure to bring it up with your pediatrician at your next appointment.