How to dress a baby for every season
Not too hot and not too cold: it is important to find the perfect combination of different items of clothing to make your baby feel completely comfortable in every season. Especially newborns need to stay warm because they can’t regulate their body temperature on their own yet. Therefore, it is important to dress them warmly. In the beginning, you will need to try a lot of different clothes until you get a feel for what works in different situations. To help you get started, we have listed the most important tips by season.
For your little one to feel comfortable, they need to be dressed appropriately at night. In our article “What to dress a baby in at night”, we will explain what you should keep in mind when choosing a sleeping bag and pyjamas.
Tips on how to dress a baby
Firstly, the most important question is how warm should I dress my baby? Whatever the season, your little darling should be dressed so that it has about the same body temperature as you. They shouldn’t sweat or freeze. You can check this by sliding your fingers down their neck and touching them between their shoulder blades. Their temperature should be similar to yours. Your baby may have cold hands or feet but this does not necessarily mean that they are cold in general.
Even when your baby is sick, you shouldn’t dress them any warmer than usual. Clothing that is too warm will simply make them sweat.
Dressing your baby for the first time is always something very special. At first, it might seem unreal how small and dainty they are, but with time dressing them will become easier and part of an everyday routine. These tips can help make dressing a baby easier:
There are specific items of clothing that will make dressing easier. Some of these are: wrapover bodysuits, tops with buttons on the side, wrap cardigans that tie on the side and clothing with snap fasteners.
It is best to go with clothes that are comfortable and that your baby feels good in. This is particularly important as your baby becomes more active and starts crawling. Babies’ clothing should allow them enough freedom of movement.
Make dressing and changing a ritual by using a musical pull-string toy, incorporating games and talking to your baby. For example, you can explain what you are doing step by step or tell them about your plans for the day.
Lay out their clothes beforehand so you can change them without any fuss.
Before you dress your baby, roll up the sleeves and trouser bottoms on their clothes. This makes it easier to slip them on.
You can put their socks on under their romper to prevent any socks from getting lost.
Please note: always hold your baby with at least one hand when changing them and never leave them alone on a changing table. This will ensure that your baby remains safe whilst on a changing table.
When you are travelling always pack a change of clothes for your baby, yourself and if necessary, your partner. This ensures that you can always get changed on the go if their nappy runs out or a mishap occurs during feeding.
How to dress a baby for during the day: tips for comfortable clothes at home
When you are at home, your baby should wear comfortable clothes in which they can move about in. For everyday life we recommend:
If you are dressing your baby for a day at home, make sure there are no loose parts or strings in their clothes that could get caught.
In transitional seasons or winter, you can dress your little one in layers. This way, you can change them quickly if they get too hot or too cold.
As soon as your baby starts walking, they will need anti-slip socks. This prevents them from slipping and allows them to learn to walk safely.
Newborns should wear a light hat at home. Once they are about 2 months old they don’t need to wear a hat indoors.
Choose natural fabrics for your baby, such as cotton, wool, fleece, linen etc. These fabrics are breathable, soft and gentle on your baby’s sensitive skin.
How to dress a baby in summer: putting together an airy outfit
Your baby should wear light and airy clothing on a warm summer’s day. You can also use the following tips:
Choose an outfit consisting of a pair of trousers and a top. Such combinations are airier than one-piece outfits and they will keep your baby cool.
On hot days, it may be enough for your baby to just wear a bodysuit.
During the summer, your baby doesn’t need to wear socks and shoes at home. Sandals are a good option for outdoors.
When you are outdoors, you can protect your baby from the sun with a light, long-sleeved shirt and long, airy trousers. Special protective UV clothing for children is an option. However, don’t forget that you will still need to apply suncream on your baby.
A light hat for newborns or a sun hat with neck protection should be part of a summer outfit for your baby.
Baby clothing that is loose-fitting and made from natural, breathable fabrics such as cotton or linen are particularly suited to summer.
Overview of how to dress a baby: temperature chart (daytime) for spring & summer
To help you prepare for the warmer months, we have listed some examples of outfits for different temperatures that you can adapt to your baby’s needs.
Temperature (day) | Outfit examples for your baby |
above 25° C | A T-shirt or short-sleeved bodysuit, a thin pair of long trousers or shorts, a sun hat with neck protection/light hat. |
22 - 24° C | A long-sleeved or short-sleeved bodysuit with a thin pair of long trousers and socks, possibly a long-sleeved shirt and a light hat and a thin blanket for your pram. |
18 - 21° C | A long or short-sleeved bodysuit with a long-sleeved shirt over this, a long romper or a long pair of trousers and socks, possibly a cardigan or sleeveless cardigan and a light hat with a thin blanket for your pram. |
How to dress a baby in winter: warm and cosy on cold days
To make sure your baby stays warm and cosy on cold days, you should layer your baby’s clothing. This ensures that your little angel stays warm, and you can easily take something off if they get too hot. You can also use the following tips:
An example of a warm winter outfit for baby: warm stockings under a long romper and a long-sleeved shirt under a warm jumper.
For walks out in the crisp winter air, you can dress your baby in an overall. Add a scarf, warm gloves, and a thick knitted hat with earflaps to keep your baby fully protected from the cold.
Take special care, that their feet are wrapped up warmly (e.g., with light socks under thicker wool socks or warm booties).
Your pram should be kitted out with a winter footmuff, especially if you have a newborn. A warm blanket is also a real must-have.
Overview of how to dress a baby: temperature chart (daytime) for autumn & winter
To keep your baby cosy on cold days, get inspired by our outfit suggestions:
Temperature (day) | Outfit examples for your baby |
15 - 17° C | A long-sleeved or short-sleeved bodysuit, long trousers and a long-sleeved shirt, thick socks, a cardigan, and possibly a light hat and a thin blanket for your pram. |
10 - 14° C | A long-sleeved bodysuit, stockings, a jumper and thick socks, a cardigan, an overall or warm outdoor jacket, a hat and a pram liner. |
3 - 9° C | A long-sleeved bodysuit, thick stockings, a jumper, socks & thick wool socks/booties, an overall, gloves and an outdoor winter hat and a footmuff or a pram liner for your pram. |
-3 - 2° C | A long-sleeved bodysuit, stockings, trousers, a long-sleeved shirt and cardigan, socks & thick woollen socks/booties, an overall, gloves and an outdoor winter hat and a footmuff for your pram. |
under -4° C | A long-sleeved bodysuit, stockings, trousers, T-shirt and jumper (and possibly a cardigan), socks & thick wool socks/booties, an overall, gloves and an outdoor winter hat and a footmuff for your pram. |
For transitional weather, always pack a hat and stockings in case the weather changes or it gets colder. Gloves are another great item to keep handy in late autumn.
Conclusion: how should I dress my baby?
To make sure that your baby is dressed appropriately in every season, you should always keep track of both the inside and outside temperatures and check your baby's temperature regularly. This will allow you to react quickly and add or remove layers of clothing as needed. When dressing your baby in the summer, you can make sure that their clothes are light and airy. Layering your baby's clothing is useful for transitional seasons and in winter.
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References and further information:
https://hellopostpartum.com/how-to-dress-baby-by-temperature/
(Last accessed on 21.11.2023)
https://www.lessonpaths.com/layering-principle-in-toddlers-clothes/
(Last accessed on 21.11.2023)
https://www.mamasandpapas.com/blogs/advice-guidance/seasonal-new-born-clothing-buying-guide
(Last accessed on 21.11.2023)
https://www.thebump.com/a/ideal-temperature-for-baby
(Last accessed on 21.11.2023)
https://tinytransitions.com/how-do-i-dress-my-baby-when-its-70-degrees/
(Last accessed on 21.11.2023)
The image sources in this text are in chronological order:
Cover photo: iStock.com/Michele Pevide
Image in text: iStock.com/Tassii
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Image in text: iStock.com/ArtMarie