By Jessica Kurosaki, Le Purée In-House Dietitian
Summertime is filled with sunshine, sand and picnic rugs. Whilst we adore the fun in the sun, feeding our kids on the go (especially when they need help sitting up) can be challenging, and often ends up with a very indoor Summer.
We’ve collated the best picks for surviving an Aussie Summer - from sunscreen to picnic mats and from best foods to best cooling off options- check out our top picks!
Leaving the house over a mealtime can feel like an impossible task when you have a little one who requires a perfect setup for meals, an allergen to introduce, a milk feed in 20 minutes… and is due for a nap 15 minutes later.
Setting Yourself Up for Outdoor Mealtimes
In order to get your Vitamin D dose, we suggest investing in a great picnic rug which brings you joy (think pops of colour!), and possibly a baby feeding chair. Important notes here are that the chair should have a tray table so they can control the meal/mess, a backrest, buckles and armrests… and their feet must touch the ground!
Offering cooled and boiled water when on the go is essential, and babies will need lots of it on those stinking hot days!
PICTURED: Izimini Baby Beach Chair
Your Hot-Weather Checklist Before Leaving the House
On those hot days, please use the below as your checklist before you leave the house:
- A water bottle with cooled and boiled water! We love the mrsippy Filtered Water Bottles
- A water bottle for you!
- Sunscreen- sensitive skin appropriate
- A wide brimmed hat for bub, one which cover their neck is even better
- Wraps to cover over any exposed skin during a nap, so we don’t burn those little leggies
- A pram with shade and buckles
- Feels unnecessary but your nappy bag stocked with nappies, wipes and a toy or two (mum brain is real!)
- Meals for on the go! Our top picks are:
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Banana dragon fruit chia puree (in a container with a spoon, or in a mesh feeder)
PICTURED: Le Purée Banana Dragonfruit Chia Seed Purée
Embracing the 80/20 Rule This Summer
Planning for the 80/20 rule. As new parents, we’ll do anything for a good sleep, right? This includes offering up our own sanity and staying home to make sure conditions are so perfect for every nap. While this might be necessary for some sleeps, please remember how hard you're working right now - and how much you need this summer break too! So, if some naps are in the pram while you enjoy some fresh breeze - or happen to be in Nan’s arms, while you take a dip in the ocean… There'll be plenty of time for temperature controlled naps tomorrow. We give you permission to go outside, Mama!
So, enjoy this summer! It’ll be one that you remember for years to come- so prioritise bub and you at the same time. You all deserve nothing but sunshine and happiness, so let’s go outside and get it!
