How to Dress a Baby: A Guide for New Parents

There’s nothing more exciting than becoming a parent. However, as you prepare to take your child home for the first time, you may wonder how to dress a baby. 

When choosing newborn clothes, it’s important to consider your climate. Babies don’t adjust to changes in temperature as well as adults and can lose body heat 4 times as fast as you. That means they may need an extra layer to keep warm in cooler weather, especially since it’s unsafe for babies to sleep with any type of blanket or loose clothing. 

To learn how to dress a newborn and what infant and toddler clothes to buy, then keep reading for the best information a parent can get. 

Cold Weather

If temperatures are cool, such as below 75 degrees, your child may only need one more layer of baby clothes than you would wear. For example, they may need a short-sleeve onesie under their pajamas. 

When going out, your child may need a onesie under their clothes to keep them warm. Remember not to over layer, as this can cause your child to overheat. 

It’s always best to keep your home between 68 and 72 degrees to keep your child comfortable. For naps and bedtime, always skip the blanket and avoid loose bedding to prevent the incidence of SIDS. Stick to fitted crib sheets. 

Also, it’s important to note that you should not overdress your baby. This increases the risk of SIDS, which can happen when a child is overheated. This means not putting on too many layers or covering an infant’s head or face.

When going out on cooler days, make sure to bundle your infant up. This includes mittens and a hat. However, when traveling by car, remember to remove anything bulky such as a jacket, as this can prevent the car seat from working properly, as the straps become too loose to function. 

However, you can still keep your child in thin layers and in mittens and a hat when in their car seat. 

To ensure your baby isn’t overheating, check their neck for dampness. A little bit of dampness isn’t uncommon, but more dampness than usual means your child is overheating, which can pose a severe safety issue. 

Hot Weather

Newborns and infants can overheat in the hot weather just as they would in cold weather. If it’s 75 degrees or warmer, your child should do just fine in one layer. Hats are still important, so use a lightweight one. 

If it’s very warm out, use thinner fabrics for when you go out and when your child sleeps. Your baby may still need a second layer at night unless they’re perspiring and showing signs of overheating.

Make sure to use thin, breathable clothes such as bamboo baby pajamas. This breathable material helps keep your baby cool during the summer heat. 

Since the FDA doesn’t recommend infants under 6 months using sunscreen, try an keep them out of the sun no matter what time of year it is, and ensure they wear a hat for protection. 

How to Dress a Baby

If you’re wondering how to dress a baby, remember the rule about layers. If it’s cool out, dress your baby in the same amount of layers you’d wear, adding one more. Check for signs of overheating to ensure they’re not too warm. Keep your baby dry at all times to avoid hypothermia, regardless of the temperature outside. 

To learn more about parenting and tips for raising a baby, be sure to check out the rest of our website. We’ve got tons of great information for all your parenting needs.

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