Babies: Warmer Weather favorites: Things to wear

My daughter wore this hat her first summer. The brim is super wide protecting her face and shoulders completely from getting any sun. The tie on the bottom also makes it harder for them to simply pull it off their heads. This hat doesn't do too well if it gets soaked because of how large the brim is, so I might choose a different hat or different method of shade if going into the pool. 

I chose these hats for my son because the white hat would've been too big for him at only a few months old. These were very lightweight and easy to slide on with the tightening piece attached to the string. It did make it easier for him to pull them off, but harder than if it were velcro.

I absolutely love Ruffle Butts/Rugged Butts bathing suits! They are the only ones I buy because I can buy my children coordinating bathing suits, they are really good quality, they are UPF 50+, and they come in a variety of styles. They also tend to have pretty good end of season sales. We also have a cover up and sun hat from them that I was able to monogram that was very cute and well made as well!

The right shoes are very important to me. For the majority of the time, my children go barefoot outside especially in warmer weather to help with foot development and sensory input. However, when we are somewhere that they need to wear shoes, my go to are Ten Little shoes! They have wide toe boxes, have whole and half sizes, and are just super easy to work with. The shoes don't fall apart immediately after getting wet or dirty like other shoes I've gotten from other companies.

Tis the season for scraped knees and magic boo boos. Y'all. Not only are these the cutest bandages I've ever seen, they come in a wide variety of colors and sizes and DO NOT JUST COME OFF. They do when you need them to, but they last. They don't peel off in water or get just plain weird.

I have been using these for the last few years and while it is hard to know if it's working, I also know that when my kids have these on I definitely hear less complaints about insects bothering them than times I haven't . These are perfect for babies because you can stick them to their clothes, shoes, car seats, stroller, etc. and not have to spray their actual bodies with bug spray. I usually do one near the top half of their body and one near the bottom depending on the situation. I also usually put it on their backs so they don't peel it off after seeing me stick it on.

Another sure fire way to keep baby safe from mosquitos or other insects is this net.  It definitely obstructs their view to a degree, so I usually only cover their stroller with it when they are sleeping in the stroller or when it is particularly buggy out. They are pretty cheap and easy to fit over any other surface you might need to cover from bugs as well.

This is the only sunscreen we use. It is more expensive than others, but I think it is worth it. It has cleaner ingredients, has zinc oxide without being super hard to blend in, is water resistant, and just works. My kids with sensitive skin have had no skin issues when using this stuff year after year.

A small, portable fan to attach to your stroller is a must have when taking baby for a walk outside in the heat. It keeps the bugs off and keeps baby cool in a place where they can easily overheat. They are also great for propping near baby outside when they are laying down doing floor time to keep them cool. I do not own this one specifically, but I love the clip on this one as the ones that bend to attach to strollers always break on me after one season of use. I've owned several now and had been on the hunt for one that clips on. Definitely wish I had one like this that clipped on. 

I do not have this particular blanket, but I also keep a giant blanket like this in my stroller and in the truck of my car for easy floor time with baby outside or for easy picnics. There is no better sensory experience than the outdoors, so putting baby near the end of the blanket or letting them cruise over to feel the grass, rocks, dirt, anything they can find si great for sensory input. I love that this one helps keep the blanket dry from the wet ground and is easy to clean. I do plan on getting this one for this upcoming summer ad we love our quilted ones but they easily soak through with wet grass after rain or with morning dew. They can be used long terms for outside time for warm weather for years to come.

This is another one of those purchases that can be used for years to come. My babies use these both indoors and outdoors as first walkers. It is safe because the baby isn't in a container, but rather free to move as they wish. It is also free from distractions or other bells and whistles often seen on walkers that detract from the experience. This walker is then used later on for collecting things on walks or in our yard or for taking a sibling on a ride. The only issue with this one is that it can be challenging to turn so your new cruiser may need some assistance. However, over time both of my children were able to navigate it better once steady on their feet.

Chalk is an outdoor play staple and babies are no exclusion to this type of play when given the right tools. These are egg shaped which is fun for Easter baskets, but also makes them accessible to babies who are able to hold and manipulate objects with their palm or their palmar grasp. I haven't used this brand specifically, but this is the type of thing I wish I got for my kids at this age. Make sure to monitor your babe to discourage them from mouthing these as they will most definitely try.

Similar to chalk, these are fun for Easter baskets because of their shape, but they are also great for babies using their palmar grasp to try their hand at scribbling. We own and love them. Again, please monitor your child while using these to prevent mouthing.

Somehow I do not own this book, but I have read it many times. It is a beautiful, colorful book that can be used for years. In this first year of life, it can be great for just naming the flowers and the other things you see on the pages as the world in this book begins to look like what they will see in the outside world as the weather warms up. 

These Indestructible books are excellent for babies because they cannot be torn and can get wet. Again naming the things inside the book and helping them connect those things to things you see outside on walks or laying on a blanket outside helps your baby make sense of the world and helps build their inner vocabulary.

Lay your baby on a blanket outside, pop one of these in the ground, and watch your babies eyes light up. They will watch for a long time as the pin wheel speeds up and slows down with the wind they feel on their skin. It is a wonderful sensory experience and, in my experience, keeps them very calm and focused for a long time.

These are not for baby to blow or use, but great for babies to watch you blow and float off with the wind. I do not own these specific ones but thought it was a good deal for the amount of bubbles you get with it. For me watching bubbles also always helped calm my babies when they were getting fussy and needed something to calm them.

We love this book and it is perfect for an Easter basket or just for entering springtime. It is filled with realistic pictures, a different texture to feel on each page, and is very inexpensive.