Complete Guide: How to Dress Your Baby by Temperature

Dressing your baby can be a fun and adorable experience, but it can also bring some uncertainty because you want to ensure you’re dressing your little one properly based on the weather and the activities you have planned for the day.

Did you know babies can’t even regulate their temperature until they’re two years old?

Babies have an undeveloped thermoregulatory system and rely on external factors such as clothing, blankets, and shade to help regulate their body temperature.

It’s vital to dress your baby appropriately for the temperature and to monitor them to ensure they’re not too hot or cold. You might wonder what to dress your baby in when it’s cold outside or how to keep them cool when the temperatures rise.

With a few simple tips and tricks, you can dress your baby for any weather and keep them comfy and cozy no matter what the day has in store.

Let’s go ahead and explore how to dress your baby by temperature. Are you ready?

Dressing a baby for the right temperature can be tricky, especially if you’re a new parent! With some guidance, you should have no trouble ensuring your little one stays comfortable and cozy.

Depending on where you live, you might get seasons where the temperature changes significantly or stay relatively warm or cool year-round.

If it’s a cool day, it’s a good idea to dress your baby in layers so you can add or remove clothing as needed. Start with a long-sleeved onesie, then add pants, plus a warm sweater or jacket.

Depending on how cold it is, you might want to add a hat, socks, and mittens to warm their extremities and a blanket for good measure. The rule of thumb is to add one extra layer to your baby than what you’re wearing since they’re more sensitive to external environmental changes.

On a warmer day, a light onesie made with breathable material – such as cotton or super-soft bamboo – paired with shorts or light pants and a hat will do the trick if it’s super sunny.

This is when you want to avoid dressing them in anything too heavy or layered because they can easily overheat.

To check if your baby is too hot (or cold), touch the back of their neck for the most accurate assessment. Then, adjust their clothing accordingly.

By following these tips, you’ll know how to dress baby by temperature with ease and be ready for any adventure that comes your way.

Dressing your baby for the daytime is an excellent opportunity to show off some of their super adorable outfits. Still, it’s also wise to be extra prepared, so they’re kept as comfortable as can be!

Choosing easy clothes to wear and take off is essential, so diaper and outfit changes aren’t a hassle. Depending on the weather, you can start with a comfortable onesie (either short or long sleeves) as a base layer and then a pair of soft pants, shorts, or leggings.

Add a sweater or a jacket, some cozy socks, and a hat if it is cooler outside!

Also, you’ll want to throw some extra clothes into your diaper bag in case the initial outfit you picked gets too messy. Above all else, dressing your baby for the daytime should be practical for both you and the baby, so pick pieces that mark all these necessary boxes.

When dressing your baby for bedtime, you want to be sure they’re warm enough but still in a breathable material that allows their body temperature to regulate. Your typical footie pajamas are the best way to go for clothing for your babe in the evening.

Unless it’s cold outside and in your house, something with a light and breathable material, like cotton or bamboo, is perfect.

You should also use a swaddle or a sleep sack, which come in varying thicknesses (also known as TOG values  – see chart below), to keep them extra snug and cozy while they sleep.

 If your baby is under two years old and you are following safe sleep guidelines, it’s important to never put an extra blanket in their crib or sleeping space. 

We love the Woolino sleep sack because it works for any climate (whether hot or cold), as the unique wool blend warms babies when they’re cold and cools them when hot. They’re expensive, but you only need one or two and fit ages two to 24 months.

Also, aside from the first night or so in the hospital, your newborn does not need to sleep with a hat on their head. Just ensure the temperature in your home is set to a normal range, and they’re layered in their pajamas and snug in a swaddle.

When dressing your baby, it’s essential to check their temperature regularly to ensure they’re not too hot or cold. Remember, you can touch their neck or back to get a sense of their body temperature and adjust their clothing as needed.

With these tips in mind, you should be able to dress your baby for bedtime with ease.

• Start with a long-sleeved onesie

• Add in pants, a sweater, and a coat

• Use mittens, socks, and hats

• Remove bulky clothing while in the car seat

• Take off additional layers when back inside

Dressing your baby correctly when you plan to be outside is crucial for keeping them comfortable and protected from the elements.

Firstly, you’ll want to take the weather into account. If it’s cold outside, you’ll want to dress your baby in layers to help regulate their body temperature. A onesie with long sleeves is a good base layer, followed by pants, a pullover, and/or a jacket.

Pro tip: Remove all bulky sweaters and coats before placing the baby in their car seat. The extra layers will not allow the car seat straps to tighten enough to safety standards.

Fleece and cotton are great material options for when it’s colder outside. You’ll want to be sure your baby’s head, hands, and feet are kept warm, too, so throw a hat, mittens, socks, and a blanket on them to remain cozy.

As mentioned above, they’re likely cold if you’re cold, so add an extra layer or two for good measure. Once you’re back inside, remove all the extra layers so the baby doesn’t overheat.

• Use bamboo clothing when possible

• Keep a UV-protecting sun hat available

• Opt for the shade when possible

• Apply sunscreen if the baby is older than six months

Protect your baby’s skin from the sun’s harsh rays if it’s hot and sunny outside. A lightweight long or short sleeve onesie (bamboo onesies are particularly breathable), some light pants or shorts, and a good sun hat with UV protection are excellent options.

Also, don’t forget to stay in the shade whenever possible and apply sunscreen to any exposed skin (but remember sunscreen is only safe for babies older than six months).

You’ll want to check your baby’s temperature frequently while you’re outside. You should remove layers to prevent overheating and add them back once they seem cooled down.

Pro tip: Never drape a blanket over the stroller to block the sun. This creates a “greenhouse” effect and can significantly increase the temperature inside the stroller to dangerous levels.

Instead, place a small fan and keep the baby covered with light clothing or in the shade as much as possible. 

With these tips in mind, you should have no trouble determining how to dress your baby by temperature! If you ensure they’re protected from the elements, your time outdoors with your little one should go smoothly.

Knowing how to dress your baby by temperature can seem overwhelming since they can’t regulate their temperatures for about the first two years, but it can be easily managed with a few simple tips.

They’re likely the same if you’re hot or cold, so always consider the weather and choose the suitable materials and layers for your baby’s clothing.

Also, remember that you should cover your baby’s head, hands, and feet if it’s cooler out since these areas lose heat the fastest.

Constantly monitor your baby’s temperature by feeling their neck and back, and adjust their clothing accordingly. With all this information, you can keep your little one comfortable and prepared for any weather.

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CARLEY SCHWEET  

A two-time c-section mom, Carley Schweet is the founder and editor of Hello Postpartum and is deeply passionate about supporting other new parents as they navigate life after birth. She is a published author of two self-care books, and her work is featured on platforms such as Bustle, Forbes, MindBodyGreen, and more, and is a certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach.