How to Dress a Baby for the Weather

Written by Andrea Rudominer, MD, MPH | Edited by Hannah Madden

Last Updated: October 7, 2022 References

Figuring out what your baby should wear comes with a lot of questions: Will they be too hot? Are they too cold? How many layers is too many? Fortunately, there are guidelines that you can follow to make picking out an outfit for your baby a breeze. Read through our article to get expert-backed tips to dress your baby in cold weather, hot weather, and mild weather all year round.

This article is based on an interview with our board certified pediatrician and integrative medicine doctor, Andrea Rudominer. Check out the full interview here.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Cold Weather

1
Use thin cotton clothing as a base layer. Cotton clothing is breathable, which is why it’s the perfect choice for your baby. Layers are great for babies, because you can easily take them off or put them on as needed. When dressing your baby in the winter, start with a base layer of a long-sleeve onesie and pants to keep them warm.
2
Add sweaters and a coat as an outer layer. If you’re headed outside, your baby will need more protection. Add a sweater, a coat, or even a snowsuit to protect your baby from the cold.
- If it’s snowy or rainy outside, go for a waterproof outer layer. Otherwise, cotton or wool outer layers will keep your baby warm and cozy all day.
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3
Add mittens, a hat, and boots for winter temps. If you’re headed outdoors, make sure your baby is covered from head to toe. Have them wear mittens, a warm hat, and boots with socks to keep them warm. Pack an extra layer or two in a diaper bag in case temperatures drop or your baby seems chilly.^{[1]
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- If your baby will be playing in the snow, make sure their gloves or mittens are waterproof.
- In very cold temperatures, like anything below 35 °F (2 °C), it’s best not to stay outside with your baby too long. They can’t regulate their temperatures like we do, and they get cold much faster.
4
Use blankets outside or in a stroller. When heading out, your baby might need more bundling up. Grab a blanket and tuck it around them when you’re sitting outside or in a stroller for an extra layer of warmth.^{[2]
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- Remember to remove any blankets before putting your baby down for a nap or when they go to bed. Sleep sacks are okay, but loose blankets can be dangerous for your baby to sleep with.
5
Take off bulky layers before using a car seat. It’s not safe to put a baby in their car seat wearing a bulky coat, because you can’t tighten the straps of the seat all the way. If you’re heading out in your car, take your baby’s coat off before buckling them in. Then, drape the coat or a blanket over them to keep them warm during the ride.^{[3]
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- Be sure to leave your baby’s face uncovered so they can breathe in the car seat.
6
Remove layers if your baby overheats. If your baby is flushed, is sweating, or feels warm to the touch, it means they are too hot. Take off a layer or two and let them cool down so they don’t overheat.^{[4]
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- In general, if you feel too warm and need to take off a few layers, your baby probably does, too.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Hot Weather

1
Dress your baby in a single layer of cotton clothing. When dressing a baby in the summer, stick to a single layer so your baby doesn’t overheat. Cotton clothing is thin and breathable, so it’s a great choice when dressing your baby in the summer.^{[5]
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- A good rule of thumb is to look at how many layers you’re wearing, and then add one more for your baby.
- When you and your baby are lounging at home or they’re going to sleep, you can even undress them down to their diaper.^{[6]
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2
Cover their head with a hat outside. Babies are very sensitive to the sun, and their skin burns easier than ours does. If you’re headed outside, put a wide-brimmed hat on your baby to provide them the shade that they need.^{[7]
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- Make sure the hat doesn’t have any sort of ties or ribbons that could unravel around your baby’s neck, since that could be a choking hazard.^{[8]
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3
Use sunscreen when outside. Before heading out, apply SPF 30 or higher sunscreen on your baby’s skin. This will protect their skin from the sun and keep them from burning while you have fun outdoors.^{[9]
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4
Keep your baby out of direct sun as much as possible. Babies are very sensitive to sunlight, and they can overheat quickly. When you’re outside, try to find a shady spot for you and your baby to sit. Keep them indoors when the sun is at its peak, which is usually between 11 AM and 3 PM in the summer.^{[10]
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- If you have your baby in a stroller outside, make sure the cover is up to keep them out of the sun.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Mild Weather

1
Layer your baby to remove or add clothing quickly. During mild weather in the spring and fall months, it can be tough to decide what your baby should wear every day. Try using thin cotton layers that you can easily take on and off so you can modify your baby’s outfit throughout the day.^{[11]
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2
Add one more layer than you’re currently wearing. A good rule of thumb is to take a look at your own outfit and count your layers. Then, give your baby that many layers plus one to keep them comfortable.
- Babies tend to run slightly cooler than we do, which is why they often need that one extra layer.
3
Change them out of wet clothes right away. Wet clothes can drop a baby’s body temperature very quickly. If your child gets wet or dirty while playing outside, change them into fresh, clean clothing right away.^{[12]
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- In general, your baby’s body temperature should be between 98 and 100 °F (37 and 38 °C).
4
Monitor your baby’s temperature throughout the day. You may need to add or remove layers to your baby’s outfit throughout the day. If you notice that your baby looks flushed or sweaty, take some layers off.^{[13]
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Research source} If your baby is shivering or is cold to the touch, add some layers.^{[14]
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- If you’re adjusting your own outfit by adding or removing layers, you probably need to do the same for your baby.