How To Dress Your Baby In Summer

How To Dress Your Baby In Summer

For me, dressing babies for summer has always been a balancing act between comfort, practicality, and style. I’ve spent my fair share of time figuring out how to keep my little ones cool and comfortable during the warmer months. Let me share my top tips and some personal advice to help you navigate their summer wardrobe. Whether you're a first-time mum or a seasoned parent, you'll find something useful here!

Babies Summer Wardrobe Checklist

Before diving into the details, here's a quick checklist of essentials for your baby's summer wardrobe:

  1. Lightweight and breathable fabrics – Think cotton, linen, and bamboo.
  2. Sun protection – Hats and UV-protective clothing.
  3. Comfortable bodysuits – Short-sleeve or sleeveless for hot days.
  4. Swimwear – A comfortable and sun-protective swimsuit.
  5. Comfortable footwear – Soft shoes or sandals for tiny feet.
  6. A couple of layers – For cooler evenings or unexpected changes in weather. We love these lightweight cardigans from Mori and Pigeon Organics.
  7. Baby-safe sunscreen – Ideally keep them shades, but when needed use baby safe sunscreen to protect their delicate skin.

Choosing the Right Sizing for Baby Clothes

One of the first things I learned as a mum was how quickly babies grow. Newborn clothes are practically outgrown in a blink of an eye, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the sizing charts. I remember buying a full wardrobe for my first baby, only to realise it would be outgrown after a wear or two, with some items not worn at all.

The Importance of Breathable Fabrics

As the weather heats up, the last thing you want is for your baby to become sweaty and irritable. Cotton and linen are perfect for keeping babies cool during the warmer months. These materials allow air to circulate, which is essential when you’re trying to avoid overheating. 

I also love choosing organic fabrics when possible, as they are gentle on babies' sensitive skin. This was a game-changer for both of my children. In the summer heat, they were less likely to get rashes or irritation from harsh synthetic fabrics. At Borro our mission is to offer great value on high quality brands.

Sun Protection: Don’t Forget the Extras!

Most parents think about hats or sunglasses for babies when they think of sun protection, but there’s more to consider. Over the years, I’ve discovered a few overlooked items that are a game-changer when it comes to protecting delicate baby skin from harmful UV rays.

  • UV-Protective Clothing: Protect their skin during water play in a UV sunsuit, we love this Little Otter one from Frugi.

  • Lightweight, Wide-Brimmed Hats: A hat with a wide brim is an absolute must in the summer. It provides shade for your baby’s face, neck, and ears, which are particularly sensitive to the sun. I always make sure to pack one in the nappy bag for impromptu walks or outings.

  • Baby-Friendly Sunscreen: When applying sunscreen, make sure it’s one that is specifically formulated for babies, free from harsh chemicals and fragrances. I often use natural mineral sunscreens, which are gentle on my babies' skin.

  • Pram Shades: Take care to use only those that allow plenty of circulation to avoid overheating, and keep your pram out of the sun as much as possible.

Renting Baby Clothes: Great Value on Top Brands

Renting baby clothes is a fantastic way to access trendy, high-quality clothing for every season, at a fraction of the cost.

As a new parent, it’s difficult to know what will look best on your baby, and be most practical for you. Renting clothes from Borro allows you to experiment with different styles without the worry of spending too much on items that might only be worn a handful of times. 

Borro also offers the benefit of convenience—no need to worry about seasonal shopping sprees or storing clothes that will be outgrown in a few months. With a rental service, you can access a new wardrobe for your baby, designed to suit the season, without the extra cost.

Keep Your Baby Hydrated

When we talk about summer clothes, we often overlook one of the most important things for babies during the warmer months: hydration. It’s easy to focus on clothing, hats, and sun protection, but don’t forget about making sure your little one stays hydrated. Babies tend to get warmer quicker than adults, so offering milk more frequently during hot weather is key.

If your baby is older, offering water throughout the day can also help maintain hydration. I found that keeping a water bottle with me, especially when we were out in the sun, helped me remember to offer water often.

Final Thoughts on Your Baby’s Summer Wardrobe

Building the perfect summer wardrobe for your baby doesn’t have to be stressful. With a little planning, you can make sure your little one stays comfortable and stylish while keeping things practical and budget-friendly. By focusing on breathable fabrics, ensuring sun protection, and even renting clothes for the season, you can enjoy the summer months with fewer worries.

If you're planning a holiday with your little one, we have your essential packing list here.

And remember, whether you’re a new mum or have done this before, it’s okay to take a step back and enjoy the process. Your baby’s comfort is the most important thing. Happy summer dressing!

For more tips on renting clothes for your baby, check out Borro.

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Questions?

Why Borro clothes?

Renting means less waste, more wardrobe flexibility and no more piles of outgrown clothes. It’s a smarter, more sustainable way to dress your little ones.

With Borro, you get high-quality kidswear without the commitment, just what you need, when you need it. Helping you save time, save money, and save the planet.

What about stains?

Don't panic! Let us worry about the stains. Stain insurance is included. Obviously it's best to prevent stains if you can, or treat them as soon as possible. But we will never charge you.

If the garment can't be saved, it will be upcycled or recycled. Nothing ever goes to landfill, and we'll never charge you.

Subscription & exchanges

Subscription

All the clothes are individually priced and there's no minimum amount or set subscription - we're flexible!

Rent as many/few things as you like and you'll see at checkout what your monthly subscription will be. (If you want us to pick out a coordinated bundle of 10 items for you, it's £29/month).

Exchanges

We know little ones grow as fast as the weather changes! You don't need to return your previous order to order new clothes, so simply send back items whenever you no longer have a need for them, and add any new items to your subscription, by adding them to your basket and checking out.

Delivery & returns

Delivery

Your order will be packed and dispatched the next working day. Delivery takes 2-3 working days.

Returns

Pop them inside the bag/box they came in, attach the free pre-paid returns label, then drop off at your nearest Evri ParcelShop.

We only include one pre-paid returns label per order, so if you choose to send just some of an order back and the rest later, you will need to pay for the postage of the second return. 

Once we've received your items we will amend your subscription so you only pay for what you've got.

We recommend returning items 4-5 days before your subscription renews in order to allow enough time for delivery and processing to avoid your next monthly payment going out. If you're a few days late, you can always cancel online (use the link in the order confirmation email). As long as we receive the clothes within the next few days, that's fine.

Sustainability

At Borro we maximise the use of each item of clothing by providing a service that ensures it's well maintained, repaired and enjoyed by as many families as possible.

So if a garment is used by 6 different users, the global warming potential is 49% less, with a CO2e (kg) per user of 1.18, instead of 2.29.

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