Road trips are an excellent way to spend time with family and bond while exploring exotic sceneries and sights. Considering that the summer season is usually hot and sunny, vehicles tend to overheat, making it difficult for your infant to enjoy the ride as their bodies heat up much faster than adults.
Hot cars can be dangerous for babies, and may result in heat stroke or even death. This is why you should always ensure that your infant remains cool as you enjoy the road trip. Here’s how you can keep your infant cool on a summer road trip.
- Invest in a stroller fan
Infants and younger children tend to overheat quickly, and they can’t regulate their body temperature. While they may be appropriately dressed for summer, they can still heat up. Consider getting a stroller fan to keep your little one cool on the move. The good thing about it is that it isn’t just limited to strollers. It’s a versatile fan for infants, which you can use in car seats when traveling, in the nursery at nap times, and in the nursery when playing. When choosing a stroller fan for your baby, consider the design, adaptability, battery life, charging methods, rotation, and oscillation.
- Avoid peak heat times
Aim to enjoy your road when the weather is at its coolest. Try to avoid midday heat and sun to make the ride more comfortable for your infant. Consider early mornings and late evenings as good times to enjoy a trip with the baby.
- Block the sun
Blocking the sun includes protecting your vehicle’s interior from the sun. Window tints are an excellent alternative for preventing the sun from heating your car’s interior, keeping it cooler. They can also reduce your car’s temperature, making it comfortable for your little one. However, stick to the window tint laws depending on the state you reside in. Alternatively, reflective sunshades can also keep sun heat away, especially when you’re on an unshaded driveway or your vehicle is parked in a sunny place. The reflective sunshades you can consider for your car include accordion-style, mesh sunshades, or reflective and solar car covers.
- Dress them lightly
While it may be easy to overdress infants throughout all seasons, consider that they too can sweat, develop rashes and face other dangers because of the heat. Dress your baby in light summer wear to protect them from too much heat. You can opt for thin breathable, or single-layered clothes ideal for summertime. You can also apply diaper rash cream to prevent irritation or chafe from the car seat.
- Plan frequent stops
Going on a road trip in summer causes your infant to get tired quicker. Consider making regular stops under shady locations to breastfeed the young ones or give them water if they’re over six months to ensure they’re adequately hydrated. You can also take them out of the car to enjoy some fresh air as they cool down.
- Choose cool colors for the car seats
If you haven’t already gotten a car seat for your baby, pick light-colored ones because black and other dark colors absorb more heat. If you already have a dark or black colored car seat, consider having the fabric changed.
Endnote
Road tripping with infants in summer can be an excellent holiday as it requires less planning. However, the baby’s comfort and safety should be a priority. Be aware of must-have baby travel essentials and use these tips to keep them cool during a summer road trip.
