This Surviving Summer with a Toddler post is brought to you by Boudreaux’s Butt Paste.
Y’all, Oh my goodness, I have a toddler. You know my little mess turned two in March and I have been so sad and gushy about it, but I may barely survive it! I was so darn tired when my son was born but he was such a sweetheart of a toddler that I was not prepared this. My Wildflower, on the other hand, was a dream newborn, but now she is so busy and so wild, and she is into everything! To top it off, we are in Texas, so we are quite literally melting from the heat! Toddler plus summer equals hard work for the mama; I will tell you!
Surviving Summer with a Toddler
Look at that tongue out; she is always up to something! I have been pulling out all the stops to keep up with this baby girl this summer and to keep her healthy! Toddlers are at that transition stage that you can’t hold them and protect them all the time like when they were babies, but they’re not old enough to understand sunscreen, bug spray, and diaper cream. Today I am sharing all my tips for surviving the summer with a toddler. Let me take the guesswork out of how to care for your growing baby so you can enjoy your summer fun!
BEAT THE HEAT
Your best bet for keeping your littles cool this summer is shade and hydration! We worry so much about our babies getting overheated and then sometimes forget how fast it happens to toddlers too! I’ve noticed older kids will beg for water and tell me when they get hot, but my daughter just powers through. I have to be constantly aware of how much water she has had and I make a conscious effort not to have my children in the sun very long. Whether we are at the park, the lake or in the backyard, I am always on the hunt for shade or I bring my own. This is one of my favorite summer essentials.
SKIN SAVERS
Just in case you can’t keep your wild child in the shade and reapplying sunscreen to a wet, squirmy toddler doesn’t hold up, you need an after sun soother. I know I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, coconut oil is your absolute best friend after a sunburn. I whip mine with essential oils in the blender and put it on before bed. AH-mazing!
BUG BITE BATTLES
My littles have sensitive skin like mine and the summer heat and humidity makes all skin irritations worse, including bug bites. Not only are there more bugs out to bite in the summer, but the reactions can be worse. And with toddlers you have to worry about them scratching and the bites getting infected, so I always act fast. I immediately apply Benedryl cream to bites, which soothes the irritation and stops the skin reacting quickly. There are after bite lotions and steroid creams but I prefer the Benedryl for the histamine blockers.
BOOTY CARE
This is a big one! The booty is always a sensitive situation but especially in the heat of the summer! My poor baby gets a diaper rash anytime she is playing outside for long periods of time or if she is swimming. I try not to leave her in a wet swim diaper or bathing suit if she is not swimming but we spend a lot of time on the water so that’s not always an option. I do bring extra clothes to change her into, I am diligent about give her a bath after spending time in the sun and always have Boudreaux’s Butt Paste on hand.
Y’all know Boudreaux’s Butt Paste is hands down, my favorite diaper rash ointment. I told y’all how I add it to all my new mom gifts and how fast it clears up even the worst diaper rash. It is absolutely a mom must have, especially in the summer and I always pass on the #buttpastemom tradition.
If you have tried the gauntlet of creams and ointments, like I have, you know not all diaper creams are created equal. Boudreaux’s Butt Paste All Natural is my favorite but there is also Original Butt Paste and Maximum Strength. All Boudreaux’s Butt Paste products are made with safe and simple ingredients. They work super quick without harsh chemicals like parabens, preservatives, phosphates or artificial fragrances.
Summertime is fun, it’s the season of vacations, long weekends, beach trips, lake days and river floats and we soak up every opportunity to get outside. But summer is also hard on our little ones. The heat, sun, and bugs can spoil all that fun so make sure you are prepared and use these tips to survive! Are you a butt paste mom too? Head over to Boudreaux’s Butt Paste Facebook or Instagram and share your story, your Butt Paste love!
My little lady may drive me crazy some days (did you see her most recent mess on Instagram?) but I am thankful every day for my babies and the grace children give us as mothers. I shared the importance of how they see us on The Water Wife recently and how we can put better out into the world starting right at home.