When you are babywearing in hot weather, there are three elements of summer cool.

Fire – Stay out of the Sun!

First step for summer cool, stay in the shade whenever possible. If you have a baby less than six months old, you should avoid exposure completely. If you have to be out in the sun, consider making your own shade with a big-brimmed hat or an umbrella (or, more appropriately, a parasol). Of course, if you are dealing with humidity as well as heat, the shade keep you from sunburn but it won’t necessarily keep you cool.

A sun cover, either a sunshade made for the purpose or the long tail of a ring sling, can help keep the sun off you and baby.

Water – Drink Enough!

Stay hydrated. If you are breastfeeding, you will need a lot more water than you did before baby in order to stay hydrated and healthy this summer. Keep drinking water, and keep feeding your baby.

If you feeling too hot while babywearing, stopping in the shade to unwrap and drink could give you the break you need.

Air – Allow a Breeze!

Face it: you are going to sweat. Maybe it’s just Me of the Desert, but this was the most miserable part of summers for me when I lived in a humid, coastal area. Once you just let it happen, you can deal with it. Dealing means seeking a breeze. If nature doesn’t give you a breeze, make your own with a fan or a waving sling tail.

A lighterweight baby carrier will allow some cooling through the fabric itself, so choose the lightest weight carrier that gives you the sturdiness you need. Walking around town you will need less structure than hiking up hills wearing your baby.

Which Baby Carrier for Summer?

Which baby carrier you choose for summer depends how much heat and how much humidity you need to deal with. If hot means over 100 degrees and bone sucking dryness of the desert, you are in a different situation than if hot is 80 degrees and 98% humidity.

A lot of mothers in the desert like a lightweight wrap baby carrier like the Moby Wrap because of the thin, 100% cotton jersey fabric. But, all of that fabric and a baby right next to your skin in high humidity can heat you both up even more.

If your greater concern is humidity, choose a baby carrier that allows as much air circulation as possible. A mei tai or a soft pack buckle baby carrier puts the baby sitting in the carrier so there is more chance of a breeze between the two of you.

For Dry Heat

Moby Wrap

Maya Wrap baby ring sling

Ellaroo woven baby wrap carrier

For Humid Heat

Beco Butterfly baby carrier

BabyHawk mei tai baby carrier

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