When summer hits I instantly feel a shift in my psyche. I think outdoor concerts, barbecues, dinner al fresco, hiking, and beach days. When I had my daughter I really wanted to continue doing all the fun summer things we like, but at the same time I was nervous about taking a newborn out and about in the heat and sun of the summer. I was also self-conscious about getting in a bathing suit, heck I wasn’t even sure what it would feel like to swim after giving birth (seriously I fretted about this). I also mourned the loss of my independence, a lot! Gone were the days of impromptu get togethers with friends, late nights on the town, and adventurous outdoor activities, or so I thought.
It would have been easy to let my anxiety get traction and hide away inside my stuffy house. Luckily I have a partner that was not going to stand for that. Thanks to his easy-going, can-do attitude I conquered my fears and was still able to enjoy many summer activities with my little one. We even went to a 4 day bluegrass festival when our daughter was just two months old, and it was a blast. When I was a new mom I had to find new ways to enjoy summer and adjust some of our old activities to meet our new family member’s needs. Getting out of the house was so important. Getting exercise and reconnecting with activities I enjoy was a big help in the postpartum adjustment period. So, if you’re feeling stranded in your house, anxious about how baby will fare in the heat, or wishing you were enjoying summer more, here are some ideas that helped me make the most of my postpartum summer.
1. Remember that newborns sleep wherever and whenever. This is a huge advantage, and this stage won’t last forever. With a stroller, carrier, or loving arms most newborns will easily fall asleep. This means that they are very portable. No need to leave the beach for nap time, or cut your night at the outdoor concert short. Just snuggle baby to sleep and relax into your activity. Also remember that newborns don’t adhere to a schedule. So if you are flexible about when and where they sleep they can be really great about going with the flow.
2. Keep in mind that babies are sturdy creatures. They can go outside, in the car, in the woods, and to restaurants and they will survive. They can get a little hot, dirty, or wet and they will survive. Obviously they have sensitive skin and they need you to protect them against the elements, but it’s ok to expose them to the world. If you’re wondering whether you should do something with your baby I can almost guarantee someone else has – just google it. People take their babies everywhere, and guess what, they survive!
3. Slow down the pace and shorten activities as needed. I sometimes enjoyed using the baby as an excuse for sitting on the sidelines or relaxing with a good book. On hot summer days I don’t really want to do much and the baby can be a good reason not to. If you’re planning a vacation or activity make sure there’s lots of opportunity for down time. It’s also a good idea to do things that you won’t get stranded at. For example maybe a couple hours at the pool is a better choice than an all day boat trip. I like to think through my escape and back-up plans. How will I manage if baby is tired, hungry, cranky, or has a poop explosion. As long as I feel like I can manage those situations I usually say yes.
4. Keep cool. Our baby lived in the baby carrier for much of the first months of her life, but on the hottest days that was sometimes unappealing. If I had to use the carrier in the heat I dressed us both lightly – a tanktop for me and light t shirt for her and just knew we’d be sweating for a bit. If I could put her in the stroller for a nap I usually did. When it’s really hot I tried to be near shade, water, fans or AC.
5. Keep an eye on the sun. I really didn’t want to put sunscreen on my newborn, even though they make baby specific sunscreen. I usually just kept her out of the sun. There are all kinds of sunshades you can get for outdoor activities, and they can be really helpful. Baby hats are also great. One that ties on and has a wide brim to cover neck and shoulders is a great option. Light swaddling blankets or sarongs are also great summer options for covering up baby.
6. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate! That goes for all of you. Keep baby well hydrated if it’s hot out and make sure she’s wetting diapers regularly this means extra nursing sessions or extra bottles – up to 50% more than usual. Also keep yourself hydrated. You’re working hard taking care of that baby, and probably feeding her too. Be sure to take care of yourself.
7. Find yourself some comfortable summer clothes – yes that means a swimsuit. In the first few weeks after baby is born you may not feel like swimming much, but there’s a good chance that at some point a cool pool will sound appealing. Wearing a bathing suit, however, might not sound so appeali
ng. Your body has changed, you just achieved an amazing feat of growing and birthing a baby. It has helped me to forget the pre-baby body and accept that there’s no going back. This might mean letting go of that old string bikini and opting for a suit you feel comfortable in today. This will mean different things for different people, but you can find something that works for you. There are so many options that are in style right now that it’s hard to go wrong. I’ve seen everything from high-waisted bikini bottoms, to swim leggings with skirts; there are even looser fitting tankini tops! I have had a lot of luck with Lands’ End – they have a ton of variety and they are not as dorky as you might think. I also decided to start buying black bottoms and tops so that I could mix and match different styles and sizes depending on what my body is doing at the moment.
8. Simplify your food for the summer. We love summer in VT because we actually get great fresh produce from all the local farms. It’s so nice to be able to toss some tomatoes, greens, mozzarella, and fresh bread together and have dinner without even turning on the stove. Summer is a great time for simple meals. No one wants to slave away in the heat, and as a new mom we know you’ve got enough on your plate. So stop by a produce stand, grab what looks good and do as little as possible to prepare it. Check out these no-cook summer recipes.
9. Keep prioritizing self-care. This is no time to forget to take care of yourself. Your wellness is vital to your baby’s well-being. Summer can be hot and hectic. It’s so important for you to remember to take care of yourself in the best way you know how. That may mean saying yes to more activities or saying no to some activities. Check out our post about nurturing yourself in 30 minutes for more ideas.
10. Reach out for support. Don’t forget to access your social support network during the summer. Sometimes it seems like friends and family are all busy with their own routines or vacations in the summer, but summer is a great time to connect with people. Aren’t you seeing more people around your neighborhood these days? It’s a lot easier to get together for play dates or drinks in the yard – it always seems like folks are more social around here in the summer. Maybe this is a good time to check out a play group, a playground, or some mom and baby activities. Need ideas for how to ask for support? Subscribe to our newsletter to get our social supports guide.