Heat and humidity make the diaper area warmer and damper, so summer calls for more frequent checks, loose clothing, careful drying and cream that has not melted in a hot bag. The routine is the same as the rest of the year with a few adjustments, and none need special gear. Here is how to handle it at home, at the park or on the road.
Heat, sweat and humidity under a diaper
A diaper covers a warm part of the body, and in hot weather sweat adds to the moisture that is already there. Skin folds, the waistband and the leg openings are spots where moisture can collect.
Fit is worth a second look when it is hot. A diaper that is too snug can press its elastic into skin, and one that is too loose can leak and shift. Check the leg and waist for marks from the elastic, and use the diaper sizing guide if you are between sizes. Product titles in the baby diapers and training pants collection state the size, for example Huggies Snug & Dry Diapers, Size 4, 150 Count, so you can match them to your baby.
Checking and changing more often
How often a baby needs changing depends on the baby, so there is no fixed number. In hot weather, add a few extra checks:
- After naps, especially in a warm room
- After time in a car seat or stroller
- Before you leave the house and when you arrive
- After water play, once the wet swim diaper or damp clothes come off
- Whenever you notice the diaper feels heavy or damp
When you find a wet or soiled diaper, change it promptly rather than waiting for the next scheduled change.
Light clothing and airflow
Light, loose clothing lets air move around the diaper. Soft cotton or linen are common choices, and layers that come off easily are easier to manage than one heavy outfit. Tight waistbands and leggings press on the diaper, so skip them on the hottest days.
Outfits that open at the legs, such as a romper with snaps, make a quick check faster than ones that have to come off over the head. That matters on days when you are checking more often.
Drying well before the fresh diaper
- Clean the area with a wipe or warm water, whichever you prefer.
- Pat dry with a soft cloth. Do not rub.
- Check the skin folds and the creases at the legs, and dry those too.
- Wait a moment until the skin feels dry to the touch.
- If you use cream, apply it as the label directs, after the skin is dry.
Browse the baby wipes collection for options, and read each pack for its ingredient list and how to reseal it.
Keeping creams and wipes out of a hot car
Heat softens or melts balms and ointments, and cream that has melted and firmed up again may not feel the same. Wipes can dry out faster in a hot, closed bag. The simplest rule is to take the kit with you instead of leaving it in the car.
A few habits help on a hot day:
- Carry cream and wipes in the bag that stays with you, not in one that lives in the trunk.
- Tuck the wipes into the middle of the bag, away from the side that faces the sun.
- Check that the cream cap is tight, since softened cream leaks more easily.
If you carry supplies in a stroller basket, keep them in the shade, and use an insulated pocket or small cooler bag kept out of direct sun when the day is hot. Many labels have storage advice, so read yours. The diaper rash creams and ointments collection shows sizes in the titles, and a smaller tube is easier to carry. If a cream looks separated or different after heat, replace it.
Shop this guide
- Pampers Swaddlers Diapers, Size 4, 150 Count (ships via Amazon)
- Aleva Naturals Baby Diaper Cream, 99.8% Natural, 100ml (ships via Amazon)
- Dapple Pacifier Wipes, 40 Count, Pack of 3 (ships via Amazon)
- Pampers Swaddlers Diapers, Size 6, 108 Count (ships via Amazon)
- See all: Baby Diapers & Training Pants
- See all: Diaper Rash Creams & Ointments
- See all: Baby Wipes
Prices are on each product page. Free shipping on orders of $100 or more within Canada.
Shade, strollers and car seats
- Use the stroller canopy and park in shade where you can.
- Check where your baby's skin touches straps and seat fabric. Metal buckles can get hot in a parked car, so touch them before you buckle.
- Some parents cover an empty car seat with a light cloth while parked in the sun. Check the buckle before you use it.
- Never leave a baby or child alone in a parked car, not even for a minute.
When to check with a doctor or pharmacist
Ask a doctor, nurse or pharmacist about redness that is not improving or is spreading, about bumps, blisters or broken skin, including in the folds and under the waistband, and about any rash you are unsure of. Follow the label on any cream you use. Heat itself is a separate matter: if you are worried that your baby is overheated or unwell in hot weather, get medical help right away.
Common questions
How do I stop wipes drying out in a hot bag?
Press the flap or lid shut after every change, and keep the pack in the shade or an insulated pocket.
Should I use cream at every change in the heat?
That is a question for a doctor, nurse or pharmacist. Follow the label on any cream you use.
Does my baby need a different diaper size in summer?
Size is about fit, not season. Go by the weight range on the pack and by how the legs and waist sit, and check again after a growth spurt.
Need help choosing supplies for the warm months? Reach us through our contact page with your baby's size and we will point you to options.