BY HEJIRA CONVERY, KINDICARE

DECEMBER 13, 2022

Baby clothes are the cutest, and while you’re busy drooling over tiny sizes and dreamy designs, it’s worth remembering that each piece serves a practical purpose!

Clothing protects your bub’s precious body from the elements while encouraging free movement, and in summer, your baby’s wardrobe needs to be as changeable as the season itself.

Summer can be hot, mild, wet, dry, windy, still or plain unpredictable, and to help you keep your baby safe, comfy and stylish this summer, we’ve sought advice from an expert!

Liana Zourkas is Creative Director and owner of the beautiful baby label, Wilson + Frenchy, and she has some great summer dressing tips.

Plus, you have the chance to win four perfect baby clothing pieces at the end of this article.

So, how should we be dressing our little darlings this summer?

Well, the first thing to think about is fabric.

Liana says, “It's important that you choose natural fabrics, like cotton and bamboo, that can breathe and keep your baby comfortable while they're out in the sun.”

Wilson + Frenchy make most of their clothing from organic cotton, and Liana says, “You will find that pesticide-free organic cotton feels softer on the skin, giving a quality feel that’s more breathable than regular cotton. This breathability helps to keep your little one cool, and it allows moisture to evaporate when the temperature rises.”

Next, you need to choose styles that suit the season.

If you’re new to the whole ‘dressing your baby in summer’ thing, then Liana recommends, “A bodysuit or two for easy dressing on hot days,” and says, “Short-sleeve zipsuits are a must-have – especially for newborns – because they will keep your little one cool during the warm nights. Singlets and nappy pants are also great for the warmer months.”

Summer overalls, or shorts and nappy pants, are super cute and practical for older babies on the move, and Liana says, “Our crinkle cotton separates are great for summer, because, unlike traditional baby dresses, our dresses are knitted, which means they’re soft and comfortable to wear.”

Style-wise, Liana tells us that, “Soft muted colours seem to be trending in Summer 2022/2023, and terry towelling separates are fun and practical this season.”

Sun protection is also a big consideration.

The Cancer Council recommends that you use physical barriers, like clothing, hats, wraps and shade as much as possible to protect your poppet from the sun; and Liana says, “A sun hat and loose-fitting clothing will help to shield your baby from harmful rays when they reach the stage of wanting to crawl and play outside.”

Sun hats are fun to mix and match with different outfits, and wraps are really versatile.

Liana explains that, “Light-weight muslin wraps are essential for swaddling newborn babies, because they’re soothing and make a baby feel safe and secure. And throughout babyhood, you can use a muslin wrap as a shade cloth over your pram on a hot day.”

Layering is also your friend!

It’s important to monitor your baby’s comfort as weather conditions change, adding or removing layers as needed.

Summer can be breezy (especially around the water), so it pays to pack a lightweight sweater in case the wind starts to worry your little one, and a long-sleeved bodysuit is good to have on hand in all seasons.

Also, remember to dress for the night, as well as the day.

Liana recommends a lightweight sleeping bag and bodysuit or zipsuit for your tiny tot, or a pair of organic cotton summer pyjamas for your toddler or preschooler. And this post has some tips to help you choose sleeping bags and suits in the right summer-weight, as temperatures fluctuate.

All in all, you’re looking for a comfortable balance between style and substance when dressing your baby through summer, and it’s always great to find some pieces you love now and can hand down later.

Get set for summer with our gorgeous baby clothing giveaway!

Whether you’re about to welcome a newborn into the world, or are chasing after your 24-month-old, you have the chance to win a summer clothing set for your little ray of sunshine.

Thanks to Wilson + Frenchy, one KindiCare reader will bag an:

• Organic Rib Henley Bodysuit (Chasing the Moon design)
• Organic Rib Growsuit (Bonjour design)
• Organic Terry Tie Playsuit (Pickle design)
• Organic Terry Sunhat (Pickle design)

 

To enter this competition, simply:

• Follow @KindiCare and @wilsonandfrenchy on Instagram
• Tag a friend in the comments

 

Or,

Like and share this giveaway on KindiCare’s Facebook page, tagging @KindiCare and @wilsonandfrenchy

The competition closes on 19 December 2022*, so jump on our socials, sooner rather than later!

 *Competition opens on 13 December 2022 and entries close 11:59pm AEST on 19 December 2022. The winner will be chosen by chance and notified by Instagram or Facebook direct message. This message will come from the official KindiCare account and the winner will be asked for the baby clothing size they’d like (from 00000 to 2). The total prize is valued at $152.80. Entry is open to all Australian KindiCare readers, with a limit of one entry per person. This giveaway is not sponsored, endorsed or administered by Instagram or Facebook.