This past Mother’s Day weekend, I spent time with plenty of new moms who were enjoying the beautiful weather in Toronto with their newborns. And, of course, had a number of essential items with them for the warm weather day.
Any time you head outside with a baby, it requires having a fully stocked diaper bag in tow. But when you’re looking at warm weather, there are a few particular items that you should have on hand along with the basics.
A good stroller
Warm days out probably mean some type of walking, whether it’s around the park, down the street, or through a beautiful area where you can take in cute, little shops and grab some ice cream. A stroller is not only great for holding baby, but you can also use the undercarriage basket for housing essentials like a jacket (in case it gets chilly) your purse, plus any purchases.
If you’re a jogger and want to bring baby out for a run, there are even special strollers just for that, like the Mountain Buggy Terrain which offers precision steering and control, and 16” high-traction tires, a hand-operated brake, and gradient shock-absorbing suspension. There’s a sun canopy to protect baby from the sun’s rays. And it not only has ample undercarriage storage, but also a zip-covered gear tray for keeping essentials like your wallet, keys, and cell phone safe at the top.
A properly installed and safe car seat
Warm weather days just scream “road trip.” If you’ve decided to head out for the day, don’t forget to have a properly installed, safe car seat for baby. One like the Evenflo SureRide DLX Convertible car seat is good because it can be used rear-facing for your newborn, then converted to front-facing once the child reaches 40 lbs. It has a 5-point harness to keep baby secure, and 6 shoulder harness positions and 2 crotch buckle positions.
A portable play yard
If you’re visiting a big group for a party or get-together, chances are your baby will be in someone’s arms at all times as they coddle and coo with her. But you’ll also want her to have some free playtime, or she might need a short nap. You can place a portable play yard outside, whether it’s on your friend’s front lawn, the back patio, or up at the cottage, and keep baby safe 
while she also gets to enjoy the warm weather and cool breeze.
I used the Baby Bjorn play yard, and loved it simply because it packs up neatly to look like an oversized briefcase with carry handle, weighs just 11 lbs., and is super simple to set up and take down – just snap each of the four legs into place, turn it over, throw the mattress inside, and you’re done.
A couple of cool T-shirts
At a housewarming party I attended this past weekend, a friend had to change her 1.5-year-old son’s shirt four times through the day because he kept spilling water all over himself, or getting them dirty as he enjoyed the delicious foods. What’s more, the day was unusually, and unexpectedly, warm. And with so many people inside the home, even with air conditioning running, the home was sweltering. Bottom line: it’s always a good idea to have a few extra cool T-shirts on hand, in case baby sweats through the one he’s wearing, or it gets soaked with water as he gets himself hydrated. You never know what the day will bring, especially in Canada where the weather can be unpredictable.
Light colours are always a good idea, like this T-shirt from JoJo Maman Bebe that has a cute image of boats on the water on its bottom half. It’s made of 100% cotton, which means it will be nice and cool on baby’s skin. And it has a button-back opening for easily putting it on and taking it off when baby needs a change.
Sunscreen
I can’t count how many times I’ve had to borrow someone else’s sunscreen because I forgot to bring some along for my son, and vice versa. It’s one of those essential items on warm days that we can easily forget to pack.
Look for one that has at least SPF 30, is broad spectrum to protect against both UVA and UVB rays, and that has a logo from the Canadian Dermatology Association. Remember, even if the sun isn’t blaring, the rays can still be harmful.
Wide-brimmed hat
Aside from providing sufficient protection from the sun and warm rays, wide-brimmed hats are the absolute cutest, especially on newborn babies.
This floppy hat from JoJo Maman Bebe is super-cute with its floral pattern. Baby will be kept protected from the sun while also looking like she’s in perfect style.
Bathing suit
You never know when a water park, backyard sprinkler jump, or impromptu trip to the beach might strike. Or maybe you’re actually headed out with that destination in mind. Either way, having a bathing suit on hand for baby through the warm months is a good idea to ensure she can always participate in the fun.
For the little girl, keep the floral theme going with this sweet one-piece from JoJo Maman Bebe, and for the little boy, with sufficient sunscreen, a pair of swim shorts, like this blue pair with a fun turtle design, will be all you need.
Blanket
Whether you end up having a picnic in the park, or just lounging in someone’s backyard, it’s nice to have a small blanket to lay baby down. You can sit on the grass with her, and chat with your girlfriends while baby kicks away, stretching her limbs, and staring up at the beautiful sky, or playing with her favourite toy.
Baby’s First Super Luxurious Blanket is a good choice as it’s fluffy and ultra-soft offering added comfort for baby, and has fun patterns that will amuse her.
Check out tons of baby gear available at Best Buy Online.
