How to Dress a Baby for the Weather, Season by Season
Are you a new parent? If so, you already know how tricky it can be to figure out how to dress your baby before heading outside.
Don't worry. We've put together this simple guide so you can head out for a walk with total peace of mind, no matter the season.
Here's how to dress your baby for the outdoors, season by season.
Article Summary
Dress your baby in one more layer than you're wearing, in thin layers you can add or take off as needed. In the cold, cover the head, hands, and feet; in the heat, stick to light, breathable, light-colored clothes. Then check the back of the neck: sweaty means too warm, cool means it's time to add a layer.
Outdoor Temperature Chart: What to Dress Baby In
Room temperature isn't the only number that matters. Here's a quick reference for outdoor outfits by the thermometer, whatever the season on the calendar.
| Temperature | What to Dress Your Baby In |
|---|---|
| 80°F and up (27°C+) | A light bodysuit or t-shirt, light pants or a onesie, a sun hat, and light, breathable fabrics only |
| 70 to 79°F (21 to 26°C) | A short-sleeve top, light pants or shorts, and a hat for sun protection |
| 60 to 69°F (16 to 20°C) | A long-sleeve top, pants, and a light jacket or cardigan |
| 50 to 59°F (10 to 15°C) | A base layer, a warmer top, pants, and a jacket, plus a light hat |
| 40 to 49°F (4 to 9°C) | Two light layers under a winter coat or light snowsuit, with a hat, mittens, and warm socks |
| 32 to 39°F (0 to 3°C) | A base layer, a warm mid layer, and a snowsuit, with a hat, mittens, and padded boots |
| Below 32°F (0°C) | A base layer, a fleece mid layer, and a winter-rated snowsuit, with full head, hand, and foot coverage |
This chart is only a starting point. Always check the back of your baby's neck and adjust based on how they're actually reacting, not just the number on the thermometer.
How to Dress Baby in Winter
Winter can bring bitter cold and snowstorms, though some days turn out surprisingly mild and sunny. Since the weather can shift from one day to the next, we recommend protecting your baby from the cold with layering.
Layering your baby's clothing lets you adjust their protection as needed throughout the day. Just stay alert to changes in temperature and to how your baby is reacting.
The priority is protecting your baby's extremities, where the risk of frostbite is highest. Make sure their ears, hands, and feet stay well covered.
- Head and neck: A knitted toque or cap that ties under the chin so it stays put, plus a knitted neck warmer for extra coverage. Skip scarves, since they can be a strangulation hazard for babies.
- Upper body and legs: When it comes to snowsuits, you have plenty of choices: one-piece or two-piece, with or without mittens, with or without built-in boots. Pick whatever works best for your family, and keep in mind that most of our snowsuits are rated to -30°C (-22°F), though lighter options like our CHILL line are built for milder days closer to -5°C. Underneath, we recommend adding two extra layers of clothing:
- A base layer that wicks away moisture and keeps your baby's skin dry, such as a bodysuit, a polyester long-sleeve top, or a thermal suit. Choose polyester over cotton, since cotton tends to hold onto moisture.
- A second, warmer layer, like a fleece or sweater.
If your baby gets too warm, simply remove a layer of clothing as you go.
Not sure how many layers your baby needs in winter? A good rule of thumb is to dress them in one more layer than you're wearing yourself.
- Hands and feet: These extremities get cold fastest, and since your baby can't move around to warm up the way you can, it's important to keep their hands and feet well protected. Warm socks (merino wool works great), a good pair of mittens, and padded boots all help.
Here are our suggestions for winter accessories for baby girls and winter accessories for baby boys.
For snowsuits:
What Temperature Is Too Cold for My Baby?
Environment Canada rates the risk of frostbite as high once wind chill drops to about -28°C (-18°F), the point at which exposed skin can start to freeze in 10 to 30 minutes. For a baby, that means covering every bit of exposed skin well before you reach that number, and cutting outings shorter as the wind chill climbs toward it.
At milder temperatures, it's generally fine to take your baby outside as long as they're dressed appropriately for the conditions. Keep an eye on the wind regardless of the exact temperature, since wind chill can make a mild-looking day feel much colder on exposed skin.
For your first winter walks, keep things short: 20 to 30 minutes is plenty. See how your baby reacts to a short outing, then gradually build up the length of your walks from there. Adjust the number of layers as needed.
How to Dress Baby in Spring
Spring can be trickier, since the weather changes so much from day to day. Some afternoons feel like summer, and others feel like winter is back.
Just like in winter, layering is a smart approach here too, since it lets you react quickly if your baby seems too hot or too cold.
If your baby gets too hot, they may sweat to help regulate their body temperature, and that extra moisture can sometimes lead to a chill. A proper spring outfit should be breathable, letting air circulate instead of trapping heat against your baby's skin.
- Head and neck: a lightweight cap paired with a neck warmer.
- Upper body: a breathable spring suit that lets a little air through to prevent overheating, with a simple bodysuit underneath and a cotton jacket if needed.
- Legs: warmer pants on cool days, lighter pants as the weather warms up toward summer.
- Hands: keep a pair of gloves or mittens handy in case it cools off.
- Feet: pack two pairs of socks, one warmer and one lighter, along with lightweight shoes and rain boots in case of rain.
Here are our suggestions for spring and rain outerwear for baby boys and spring and rain outerwear for baby girls.
How to Dress Baby in Summer
In hot summer weather, be careful not to overdress your baby. A bodysuit and a pair of light pants may be all they need on the hottest days.
If the sun is strong, dress your baby in light colors, since they absorb less heat than darker shades.
- Head: a sun hat to protect your baby's head and face from direct sunlight.
- Upper body: a light-colored bodysuit or t-shirt, ideally white or pastel, since lighter shades absorb less heat. For babies under 6 months, a onesie or romper works well. Past 6 months, thicker one-piece outfits aren't usually necessary and can even feel a bit too warm, unless it's an unusually cool summer day.
- Legs: if they're not in a onesie, light pants, shorts, or a little dress all work well.
- Feet: soft shoes or sandals with thin socks.
Here are our suggestions for summer clothes for baby girls and summer clothes for baby boys.
How to Dress Baby in Fall
Just like spring, fall temperatures are unpredictable. You might get a freezing morning, then a mild afternoon, then cold weather again the next day. All sorts of weather are possible in the fall.
To avoid your baby getting stuck in an outfit that's too warm or too cold, we recommend layering again this season. A few thin layers on top of each other make it easy to add or remove pieces as the day goes on.
- Head and neck: keep a hat and neck warmer within reach, and don't hesitate to put them on as soon as you step outside on a cold day.
- Upper body: a light windbreaker or hooded raincoat is a must for rainy days. Swap the light summer t-shirt for a long-sleeved one, adding a sweater or cardigan if needed.
- Legs: jogger pants, overalls, or tights if your baby is wearing a dress.
- Hands: keep a small pair of mittens handy in case the weather gets chilly.
- Feet: rain shoes or boots, with thick socks.
Here are our suggestions for fall clothing for baby girls and fall clothing for baby boys.
Dressing Baby for Naps and Nighttime
Indoor and sleep clothing follows different rules than an outdoor outfit, since your baby isn't moving around to generate warmth. A few essentials: use a sleep sack instead of loose blankets in the crib, check the back of your baby's neck the same way you would outside, and stop swaddling as soon as your baby shows signs of trying to roll over. For a full breakdown by room temperature, along with fabrics, tog ratings, and warning signs of overheating, see our complete guide on how to dress baby for sleep.
The Most Important Thing: Not Too Hot, Not Too Cold
The most important thing is to avoid your baby getting too hot or too cold, and to prevent sudden shifts from one temperature extreme to another.
That's why it helps to have the right clothing on hand: pieces that keep your baby warm in cold weather and breathable options that let their body stay comfortable when it's warm.
In winter, protect your baby from frostbite. In summer, protect them from overheating by not bundling them up too much.
Above All: Stay Flexible!
Beyond these tips, pay attention to how your own baby reacts. Every baby is different, and what works well for one may not work as well for another.
Learning how to dress your baby for the outdoors is really about getting to know them better: their cues, their little expressions, and how to adapt as you go. Naturally, it can take a bit of time to find your rhythm.
So don't stress. It's completely normal not to land on the perfect formula right away.
Happy walking!
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Layers Should a Baby Wear?
As a general rule, dress your baby in one more layer than you would wear yourself in the same conditions, then adjust from there. Thin layers you can add or remove beat one heavy piece, since they let you react quickly if your baby seems too warm or too cold. See the outdoor temperature chart above for a season-by-season starting point.
How Can I Tell If My Baby Is Too Hot or Too Cold?
Babies can't regulate their body temperature as well as adults, so check the back of their neck rather than their hands or feet, which often feel cool naturally.
Signs your baby is too warm include sweating, damp hair, flushed cheeks, heat rash, or fast breathing. Signs your baby is too cold include a cool chest or neck and pale skin. If it feels sweaty or hot to the touch, remove a layer. If it feels cool, add one.
Should Newborns Wear Long Sleeves in Summer?
It depends on whether you're indoors or outside. Indoors, a short-sleeve bodysuit or a light onesie is often enough for a newborn in summer, even on warm days. Outdoors, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends lightweight clothing that covers the arms and legs, along with a brimmed hat and shade, since sunscreen should only be used on small exposed areas for babies under 6 months. Check the back of your baby's neck either way to make sure they're not overheating.
How Do I Dress My Baby by Outside Temperature?
Start with what you are wearing, then add one layer for your baby. Babies can't move around to warm up or tell you they're cold, so layers do the talking: a base layer against the skin, something warm in the middle, and an outer layer that blocks wind and wet. Add or peel off as the day changes. To check, feel the back of your baby's neck. Sweaty means too warm. Cool means add a layer.
What Should My Baby Wear at 20°C (68°F) Outside?
Keep it light. A cotton bodysuit with light pants, or a romper, plus a thin sweater or cardigan for the shade and the breeze. Add a sun hat if you'll be out for a while. At 20°C (68°F), the risk is overdressing, not the cold.
What Should My Baby Wear at 10°C (50°F) Outside?
This is mid-season jacket weather. A long-sleeved bodysuit, pants, a warm sweater, then a light jacket or a one-piece mid-season suit on top. Add a hat that covers the ears and keep light mittens nearby. Browse our baby girl spring and fall jackets and baby boy spring and fall jackets.
What Should My Baby Wear Under a Snowsuit?
Two thin layers, not one thick one. First, a base layer in wool or a synthetic fabric that pulls moisture away from the skin. Cotton holds sweat, and damp means cold. Then a light fleece or sweater. Keep it slim: a snowsuit works best when it fits snugly, so take your baby's true size rather than sizing up to fit bulky clothes underneath. Shop baby girl base layers, baby boy base layers and baby snowsuits.
How Do I Dress My Baby for a Walk in the Stroller?
A baby in a stroller isn't moving, so dress warmer than you would for a baby in your arms. In winter, a snowsuit plus a stroller footmuff keeps the cold off the legs and feet, the first places to chill. Cover the head, ears and hands. In summer, shade the stroller with an umbrella or canopy rather than draping a blanket over it, which traps heat. See our footmuffs and covers adapted for strollers.
How Do I Dress My Baby for Fall?
Fall changes its mind by the hour, so dress in layers you can adjust. A long-sleeved bodysuit, a sweater or cardigan, and a light windbreaker or rain jacket on top. Keep a hat and mittens in the diaper bag for chilly mornings, and pull on rain boots when the clouds roll in. Find mid-season layers for baby girls and baby boys.