Too hot. Too cold. Just right. Like Goldilocks, little ones can be quite particular about the outside temperature since their bodies aren’t able to regulate internal temperatures as well as adults. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, “Because of their unique physiology, children are more susceptible to temperature extremes and their health effects.”
For that reason, there are simply some extreme conditions when it isn’t safe for your baby to spend time outside: With extreme heat, dehydration, fatigue and headaches are possible. With very low temperatures, hypothermia is a bigger threat to young children than it is to adults.
Related: 4 baby clothes must-haves for their (perfectly adorable) wardrobe
The good news? That’s in extreme conditions. Most of the time, it’s just about knowing how to dress your baby for cold weather or hot weather or any weather in between. And for the most part, that just means the right amount of layering to keep baby comfortable.
“The general rule of thumb is that your baby should be dressed in one more layer than you feel comfortable in,” said Diana Spalding, CNM.“If you are happy with one long-sleeve shirt, your baby should probably have a long-sleeve onesie, plus another shirt or light jacket on top.”
Still, even knowing how to dress yourself can feel complicated sometimes.
We created a handy cheat sheet for how to dress your baby based on outside temperature.
Keep in mind that other factors can affect your comfort outside, such as humidity, windchill and the sun. When in doubt, dress your baby in layers that you can easily add to or shed!
For expectant parents, it also helps to plan ahead to know what types of clothes to buy in what sizes based on how old your baby will be during winter, spring, summer or fall. Here are some of our favorite layers to add to your baby registry!
How to dress your baby based on the outside temperature
Babies in overalls—is there anything better? A soft, knit pair like these from Hanna Andersson is a great choice that allows for layering and warmth in cooler months so baby can move, crawl, and even take a few steps. When it’s warmer out, pair these adorable bottoms with short sleeves rather than long to help baby be more comfortable.
Made with cuddly poly sherpa and cotton, this super soft baby sherpa pram will keep your little one cozy in cool weather. Great for layering over pants and a long-sleeve top, the pram zips up for quick wardrobe changes. Bonus—it’s certified clean, which means it’s safe from over 400 chemicals.
Available in a size for 0-12 months, these boots can see your baby through a full year of cool weather. With 4.8 stars from nearly 4,000 reviews, parents love that these shoes actually stay on babies’ feet and are really cozy.
This is a classic layer for good reason! Made with organic cotton sweaterknit and available in a variety of sweet colors, no one will blame you for registering for a few sizes of this cardigan.
A pack of long-sleeve onesies like this one is key for layering options and for making sure baby is dressed appropriately for any temp. Fitting for fall, winter, and spring, (and even cool summer nights depending on where you live), this one’s a basic staple you definitely need.
A sun hat is an important item to toss in your diaper bag or stroller for many months out of the year (year-round if you live in a warm climate and never switch to winter hats). The sun’s harmful rays can damage baby’s skin, so protect those beautiful cheeks with a cute hat like this one.
A pack of short-sleeve onesies is another year-round essential. Whether it’s the entire outfit for a hot summer day or the first of many layers in January, you’ll go through what seems like a million of these, so you can never have enough.
A lightweight jacket is also a smart investment to ensure that your baby is comfortable and warm (but not too hot) when temps drop. This puffer jacket comes in an array of bright, fun colors and is getting rave reviews for being warm but not bulky, layer-friendly, and easy to clean. (That’s music to our ears, right?)
As soon as your baby starts taking those first steps, you’ll probably want to snag some rain boots because the chances of them finding a puddle to stomp in are 1000%. A bright yellow pair from L.L. Bean is a smart buy that will likely get lots of use throughout the year.
Try one layer of lightweight clothing, and one lightweight blanket for sleep. The room should be comfortable, not too hot or too cool. If the room is hot or stuffy, a fan may help.
You don't want your baby's room to be either too hot or too cold. It's recommended that the best temperature for babies is between 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit or 20 to 22 degrees Celsius.
In cool weather, dress your bub in a long-sleeve bodysuit or footie pajamas and a lightweight swaddle (or sleep sack, for older babies). Heavy blankets are not meant for swaddling as they make Baby too hot and can unwrap and become a suffocation risk. (Loose blankets are never safe for babies!)
When the temperature rises over 75 degrees Fahrenheit, it's a safe bet to dress baby in only a single layer of loose clothing so they don't overheat. Lightweight cotton clothes are breathable to help baby keep cool—and protect their skin from sunburn (keep baby in the shade as much as possible).
When the thermometer reads 20 degrees or lower, the temperature is too cold for a baby. If you must be outside in extreme temperatures, take measures to make sure your child isn't exposed to the elements for more than a few minutes at a time.
The results showed a positive correlation between temperature and SIDS in 3–12 month-old infants specifically. On days when temperatures were greater than 29 °C, there was a 2.78 times greater chance of sudden infant death than on 20 °C days.
That said, keeping the temperature between 68 and 72 degrees F is a good range in the summer and winter. When the room is too hot, research has shown that it can increase your baby's risk of SIDS; when it's too cold, baby can easily become uncomfortably chilly and wake up unnecessarily.
1.0 TOG: A snug, yet breathable 1.0 TOG sleep bag that's just right for those 72-degree nights, wrapping your baby in a layer of comfort akin to a soft hug. Smart Outfitting: Begin with a lightweight PJ, then layer with a 1.0 TOG sleep sack for a peaceful sleep setup.
Adding a light cotton onesie under everything when going outdoors is a good place to start. You can always remove a layer if your baby seems too hot, but you'll be out of luck if you need to add one and didn't bring it with you.
A room temperature of 16 to 20C is comfortable and safe for sleeping babies. Your baby just needs light bedding or a lightweight, well-fitting baby sleep bag. If it is very warm, your baby may not need any bedclothes other than a sheet. Even in winter, most babies who are unwell or feverish do not need extra clothes.
If the room is within that range, dress babies for sleep in long-sleeved pajamas and a sleep sack or swaddle. Any cooler than that, add a onesie as a base layer. If it's warmer than 72, short-sleeved pajamas or just a onesie under the sleep sack or swaddle works best.
If your baby is too cold or uncomfortable, they will likely cry to let you know! The ideal temperature for the body to sleep well is between 68-72 degrees F, but if that's not possible in your home or part of the world, that's ok! Don't stress - you can always adjust factors to ensure that your baby is comfortable.
The NHS suggests using lightweight sleepwear and perhaps a well-fitting baby sleeping bag with a tog rating suited to the season. Consider removing or adding layers of your baby's clothing during sleep depending on whether they seem too hot or too cold. Remember, they should be cooler rather than too hot.
Introduction: My name is Merrill Bechtelar CPA, I am a clean, agreeable, glorious, magnificent, witty, enchanting, comfortable person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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