As much as you want to be close to your baby all of the time, you don’t want to overheat one another in the summer. We have three steps to summer babywearing success.
1. Choose light fabric. Think of weight, color, and material.
The lighter weight the fabric, the less it will hold in heat. The same goes for color, since light colors will keep you cooler than dark colors. Natural fibers or fabric designed to wick moisture will also keep you cooler.
Breathable cotton will keep you cooler than polyester fleece. A single layer of cotton is better than padded cotton.
2. Choose a light style. Less is better –- less material, fewer layers, fewer pads and buckles.
Avoid padding and wraps, since the extra layers will hold in heat.
The tail of a ring sling may hold in heat as well, but you could use the tail on a lightweight, light-colored ring sling to shade the baby for short periods of time. For long periods, a Peekaru Ozone Cover-Up is a better choice.
Mei tai and pouch both have minimal layers and extra fabric.
Mei tai does have ties, though. If you will be hiking, avoid ties or tails.
3. Consider your carry. Minimal contact between your hottest areas.
Front to front is nice and cozy, but it can get hot and sticky after a while. If you will be carrying your baby for long periods, choose a versatile carrier that allows you to switch between different carrying positions. Hip carry means less contact between your warmest areas, front to front.
Bonus!
If you are outdoors a lot in the summer, consider sun protection without lotions and sprays. The Peekaru Ozone Summer Cover-Up provides protection against 95% of the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays. Lightweight recycled polyester mesh fabric attaches and adjusts over most baby carriers.
Overall, keep it light and breezy to keep yourself and your baby cool while babywearing in the summer.
Why avoid ties or tails for hiking? I love a mei tai for hikes, or even a woven wrap (which is essentially one LONG tie). I’ve never had an issue with the fact that they have ties/tails, is there some safety issue or something I’m missing?
Raeanne, it isn’t necessarily a safety issue. I found that the tail of my sling could get caught on vegetation, so I was going for the least-possible trouble. I’m glad to hear they work well for you. As with so many parenting issues, it’s always good to keep in mind that your mileage may vary.