6 Unsolicited Summer Tips From Your (Mother-in-Law) That Actually Turn Out To Be Pretty Useful…!

You know how it goes… You just want to have a little rant or ask how to survive your first vacation with your little one, and suddenly you get an entire essay of unsolicited advice and tips. Your own mother usually tops your mother-in-law in that department. But once you’re actually on holiday, you realise that some of those tips turn out to be surprisingly useful. We’ve listed six of them for you:

1. Washcloths to go
Did you know it’s super handy to wet some muslin washcloths, pop them in a sandwich bag in your cooler or a container with a mini ice pack, and use them to wipe sticky faces, grubby hands, or cool down your little one on a hot day? Super sustainable and much nicer than most wet wipes, which dry out in the heat and are often unsuitable for your baby’s sensitive face.

2. Ice, ice, baby!
Did you know that babies from 6 months old can enjoy a refreshing ice pop? Just purée the fruit you’d normally use for a fruit snack, add a splash of water, and freeze it in ready-made ice lolly moulds. Tip: You can also take it with you in a leak-proof container — it melts into a slushy consistency, perfect for cooling down!

3. Splash time fun
Nothing beats cooling off in warm weather — whether at home or on holiday. It’s super handy to use your regular baby bath, fill it with a shallow layer of water, and let your little one splash around. Fun guaranteed and your baby cools down nicely. No baby bath available on holiday? A large bucket or washing-up tub works just as well — that does the trick!

4. (P)oops!
Did you know swim diapers only contain solid waste? A pee will go straight through. Which explains why the paddling pool is always warmer than the big pool… So make sure to pop on a regular diaper after swimming — otherwise, everything gets soaked in no time.

5. Keep it hot!
Timing is everything! You’ve packed the car, you’re off to the South of France with your toddler and baby, and you hit a traffic jam. You know it’s going to take a while — great. But then you glance at the clock and realise your baby will soon be crying for a bottle. That’s tricky on the road. Did you know it’s super handy to always have a thermos with hot water with you? Perfect for preparing formula or keeping breast milk warm. That way, even stuck in traffic, feeding your baby isn’t a problem.

6. Breathe in, breathe out
There are so many cute summer outfits for little ones, but as your mum has probably told you countless times: go for airy fabrics. Muslin, linen, and cotton absorb moisture and are breathable — ideal for hot weather. On really warm days, a romper is all they need.

Have you ever received unsolicited summer tips from your (mother-in-law) that actually turned out to be helpful?