Temperature guide for dressing babies outside

Protecting your baby from the elements is mostly about preparation. Knowing how to dress the newest member of your family for extreme temperatures can seem a little confusing at first, but remember that if you’re cold, chances are your baby is cold, and if you’re hot, well, you get the drill.

Whether the temperature dips below freezing or it’s in the triple digits, it’s all about layers that you can add or remove as needed. Here’s everything you need to know about preparing for any weather scenario with your new baby.

How to dress a newborn for the cold

No matter the reason you have to brave the cold with your baby, just make sure your little one is bundled up well. These tips can help:

• Think layers. It’s always best to layer baby’s clothing, which traps heat between the layers. Thin cotton clothes work well, starting with a thin sleeper onesie and then adding as needed — maybe a long sleeved shirt and pants or even a snowsuit if your little one is going to be in very cold temps.
• Cover up. Make sure that your baby is completely covered from head-to-toe. If you need mittens, gloves, a hat, thick socks and boots, make sure your baby is wearing them too.
• Don’t forget to use blankets outside. If you’re headed out in the stroller, you can use a blanket and/or your stroller’s rain cover as a plus-one layer; they can keep out the elements and keep in some heat.
• Abide by car seat safety. Once you get to the car, remove baby’s bulky coat because it can compress below the harness and be too loose in the event of an accident. He can still wear multiple thin layers as well as a hat and mittens in the car seat.
• Beware of overheating. Babies dressed in too many layers of blankets or clothing are at greater risk for overheating and SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). If you’ve been out, remove your baby’s winter clothes as soon as you come inside (yes, even if he is asleep!).
• Keep the room temperature cool. Putting your sweetie to bed or down for a nap? In the winter or summer, try to keep the room temperature between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. To make sure your baby is comfortable, check his neck to see if he’s too sweaty. A little dampness goes with the baby territory, but pools of perspiration definitely do not.
• Skip the blankets at nap and bedtime. Dress him in a warm sleeper or sleep sack, but skip the blankets. Loose bedding is also a risk factor for SIDS.

How to dress a newborn for hot weather

Overheating isn’t just a cold-weather condition — hot and humid days can also be dangerous for newborns, who can’t yet regulate their own body temperature. Here’s how to keep your little one safe:

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• Take away layers. When the temperature is over 75 degrees F, a single layer should be enough for baby.
• Cover baby's head with a lightweight hat. Cold or hot, hats are important to protect baby from too much sunlight.
• Think thinner. When it’s really warm outside, use lighter fabrics, especially at night. Baby will likely still require one more layer, which can include a light sleeper onesie and a thin sleep sack. Once babies roll over, they no longer require a sleep sack. If you’re wearing your newborn in a sling or carrier, be sure the material is breathable so your little passenger doesn’t get too hot.
• Keep baby shielded from the sun. Most doctors support using sunscreen on babies of all ages, although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn't endorse the use of sunscreen on babies under 6 months old. For newborns, it’s really best to avoid sun exposure completely in hot or cold weather. Make sure shade is available if you’re headed to the beach, and limit your time in the heat to a few minutes at a time, especially at midday when the sun is strongest.
• Protect those peepers. Make sure that baby’s eyes are protected from the sun with 100 percent UV protection sunglasses. (You can also try dressing your baby in UV clothing to protect her skin!)

How to dress a newborn for warm or cool weather

When the temperature is mild, it’s still best to use the layer rule. Dress baby in as many layers as you require and then add one more.

Also, make sure that your little one is always dry because wet or damp clothing can make baby cold even when the weather is just cool. And check his diaper frequently when you’re outside.

Additionally, no matter the temperature, make sure that your baby is shielded from the sun by his car seat or stroller canopy, a hat, sunglasses or just shelter.

What's the right temperature for baby?

Whatever the weather is like outside, your baby’s temperature should always be between 98 and 100 degrees F; a rectal reading is always the most accurate. When it’s out of the normal range, that may be a sign of illness.

What’s more, whether it’s summer or winter, baby’s nursery should stay between 68 and 72 degrees F. If your baby is preterm, keep the thermostat a bit higher at 72 degrees F.

If it’s too hot, it can increase a baby’s risk of SIDS. If it’s too cold, it can cause a risk of hypothermia, when your little one’s temperature drops to a dangerously low level. When your baby is sick and has a fever, dress him in lighter, acrylic fabrics.

Signs it's too hot or cold for baby

When babies are too warm, they may look flushed and sweaty or they may breathe rapidly. This can cause them to be cranky and irritable and, in more extreme cases, lead to heat stroke.

If your baby seems overheated, start to remove layers, head inside and then call your pediatrician or 911 if he does not cool down immediately.

When your baby is too cold, he may develop frostbite or hypothermia. Check for signs of lethargy or unresponsiveness. If baby has frostbite, the affected area may appear blistered and white or pale gray. In both cases, contact your doctor immediately or call 911.

Whether it’s frosty cold or scorching out, it’s all about keeping your baby comfortable and protected from the elements. Think layers and follow your gut. If you’re nervous that your baby is too hot or too cold, make a wardrobe adjustment ASAP or head inside to enjoy some temperature-controlled comfort.

From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect When You're Expecting. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy.

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