Impending move with new arrival - what do your newborns wear in very hot climates?

[movingalot]

I got some really good advice on this forum previously regarding our impending move to NYC in June with a 2 year old and DC2 due 6 weeks before we leave.

I'm in the midst of sorting out DD1's old baby clothes for the newbie, but she was a January baby so most of it strikes me as unsuitable for NYC in July / August?

What do you all dress your newborns in in very warm climates? Just vests and romper type things?

We will have AC but I'm hoping to be out and about quite a bit as we'll be living in a teeny academia-type salary apartment

We lived in Oz for 2 years. Dd2 used to wear just vests in the hot weather. Possibly socks, just incase of cold feet/poor circulation. If the AC was on, a light babygro was all that was needed.

Just baby grows, in sunny qld. If outside and particularly hot then shortie baby grows. Babies like to be warm ??
Cotton gro bag at night.

A vest and a nappy, sometimes light cotton trousers ( if we are going out in the sun) then at night it tends to just be a baby gro or sometimes a muslin sleeping bag.

We are in a strnage bit of Australia so go form 30 degree day to 15 degree days at the drop of a hat so we also have a 2.5 tog gro bag.

It was 35degrees where I am today - my toddler wore shorts&tshirt, but ate dinner and played in the garden before bed in just her nappy. She asleep in a baby gro and thin sleeping bag with the a/c running.

This time last year when she was new she wore vests when we were out, a baby gro if we were inside in a/c and she wore a baby gro and a cute little sleeping bag/swaddle thing at night.

Hiya! So it's not so straight forward. You need to think things through a bit. Clothing is the least of your worries.

#1 run your car for five mins with the ac on full before you put your kids in the car. If you are buying a car get remote start. You need it in summer, less so in winter. Never leave either child in a car that doesn't have the ac running. It heats up like a microwave and there are babies who die every year. The police will break the window if they see this and pull the kids out. It is that serious.

#2 Have a blanket you can throw on them. When you go in a store the ac is normally freezing. Baby in summer clothes in 16c equals a cold baby.

#3 You might need to top up with water between feeds if you are outside a lot. Get peadialyte in your cupboard. We use the powder which mixes with a bottle of water. I carry one in the diaper bag in summer. DS was 18 months this summer. Dd was a July baby and they had me use a small syringe to feed her water during a heat wave.

If your stroller doesn't have a proper canopy consider getting a different stroller when you get here. Get 2nd hand off craigslist.

Central air is nice but not a necessity. Fans are huge. We have ceiling fans galore and they run 24/7 during the hot months. If on a lower level you will have mosquitos. We use a stand fan to keep them off the baby. If you are higher up it isn't a problem.

In July and August it's more humid than sunny. Worry more about the heat. Also keep yourself hydrated. If out and about I drink about a bottle an hour. Wear minimal clothing yourself too. Literally a cloth draping over your underwear and a pair of flip flops.

Winter is actually easier!

I live in a country where it's 45 degrees plus June to September. The thing to bear in mind about hot countries is that all the buildings are usually air conditioned. So you is I'll actually need more clothes than you think!

DD always wore long sleeved all in ones with leggings over the top as the AC gets a bit chilly.

Sorry for the delay in replying and thanks for all the info!

I guess layers are the way to go then, I won't give away DD1's baby grows etc just yet...

We're planning to leave our Bugaboo at home in Ireland and buy a Phil and Ted double over there so will check our the sun protection it offers.

Hadn't thought about the water issue - I'll be bf'ding, is topping up with water still recommended? And what about baby-friendly brands of bottled water in New York, or is the tap water drinkable?

We won't have a car unfortunately

Hello there.

If you are going to be UWS I don't know how practical the phil and teds is for getting around. I have a maclaren that weighs 10lb which is awesome. Most subways are stairs only so I put the stroller on my shoulder and walk up. DS was huge so a sling didn't work. I live in Jersey so drove in and took the huge stroller. I expect/hope your baby won't be 10lb6oz when born and 18lb at 3 months!

I found layers a PITA for the baby so just had a baby blanket in the basket that I threw over DD. DD has her sundresses and cute outfits for summer (jelies for potty training are THE BEST). I buy my summer clothes in the UK from people who have been on holidays. Second hand stuff here can be quite expensive compared to the UK (don't know about Ireland but Dunnies is AWESOME) so if your budget is tight def get to the car boot sales before you leave. I had a cardigan for DD in the basket and she puts it on if cold.

Water in NYC is very good. It comes from the catskills and is very yummy. Bottled water is fine too but we were told only give the baby water from a fresh bottle. The paediatrician will go over procedures and if they don't ask them. DS turns 2 this month so guidance may have changed. DD was FF and they said I needed to give her extra water in the syringe because they could tell from their examination she was a little dehydrated at her 2 week check up.

Topping up breastfeed babies with water isn't recommended in Australia. Even in super hot weather. They just recommend feeding them a bit more. Apparently breastmilk adjusts itself for the climate Perhaps the Yanks do it differently though

Good luck with your move!

I don't think you top up bf babies with water as you just nurse more. Paediatricians can be hit or miss about bfing so you may get dodgy advice. Check out kellymom or ask on the bfing topic on Mumsnet.

The Phil & Teds may be a bit heavy for NYC. You see people pushing maclaren's for a reason! I'd get one in ireland if possible as they're v expensive over here. Sling wise, something like an ergo is great. I've comfortably carried my kids at 25lbs plus in them (again, you see a lot of ergos around nyc for a reason!). When we lived in NYC I would sling dd1 and push DS (aged 2) in the maclaren.

We'll have DD2 and newborn so I don't want to rely on a single pushchair, so think the p+t will be the best option; we'llalso bring a baby jogger city mini as a stroller and I have an ergo! (Belts and braces approach!)

Def consider the maclaren side by side. It isn't that wide and folds to nothing. I had one before the wheels were broken off by SAS (worst airline in the world). Most subway stops here have no elevator and you can't safely take a taxi with small children. I have before now used a driver when in the city with the kids and doing multiple stops. Otherwise I drive myself. With two kids the city mini or P&T won't work well for the subway.

Do you have a P&T sun cover? You will definitely need it - they work great and keep the sun off while letting any breeze into the seats and allowing the children to see outside.

Oh, I liked the p+t as assumed the side by side doubles wouldn't fit through the barriers in the subway - why would a side by side work better on the subway? Haven't purchaser yet so open to other suggestions too...

Purchased

WRT the pushchair issue get the lightest pushchair you can. We found that elevators often weren't working and that it wasn't uncommon for the few lifts that do exist, to be out of order! I only had one DC, but usually put him in a carrier and, if I needed it, carried the MacClaren. NYC subways really aren't made for small children!

www.marksandspencer.com/7-pack-pure-cotton-sleeveless-bodysuits/p/p20124323

My dds wore these in the hot summer when babies.

In a really really hot climate you don't have bodysuits, just a nappy.