It’s easy for us to go outside at any time of the year and feel comfortable. We add jackets, take jackets off and generally can regulate our body temperature reasonably well. But the question is, are babies the same way?
Do we put more clothes on them the summer, less, what are the materials, etc. It can be nerve-racking because you also have to consider where they will be. A refacing car seat can get extremely warm, especially if you have a car like most that don’t have vents for the air conditioner in the back.
So as a parent you have to consider what your little one will wear when they go outside in order to remain comfortable and protected from the elements as well as what to wear in the home in order to also remain safe and happy.
What To Wear: Baby Edition
I tended to come home from work to find a very warm baby in multiple layers in the home, with heat, and with every sneeze there were more layers being added. Personally, I felt it was too much, my family thought did not.
After plenty of research I just left clothes out that were for the day and kept it at that. In order to determine what they should be wearing let’s look at what others have to say.
Cotton clothing: Cotton clothing is the basis of what you should be putting on your newborn. It’s soft which can keep their skin healthier and it allows their skin to breathe easier. You don’t want them to overheat. Plus try and get clothing without tags because that could irritate their already sensitive skin.
Socks and Hats: Like we’ve heard, the extremities are where you lose most of your heat. That’s why runners in the winter make sure to wear gloves and a hat but can go with a light vest. Babies are the same way and they regulate temperature terribly.
For a baby, a light breeze can cause their body temperature to drop so keeping a hat and socks on at all times can help them stay regulated. This goes for indoors or outdoors (and the hat also provides protection from the sun as well on their very sensitive skin.
For Sleeping: Even when they sleep you want them to be protected and stay at a comfortable temperature. Base your outfits on the temperature of your home. If you have the AC on, make sure to have them in a onesie and then also a heavier sleeper or pants/long sleeve shirt and a lighter one for if it’s warmer in your home.
Protect their Skin: While there are sunscreens on the market for babies, they aren’t endorsed by the FDA. One of the best ways to protect your baby is to keep them out of the sun as much as possible. Skin damage starts early. But if you do go out, limit the time in the midday heat, and find the shade.
Going to the park is definitely not frowned upon (exposure to germs is a good thing after a few months) but you’ll want to find that big tree to sit under and have your picnic. They also have clothing for children that has UV protection built right in.
Layers Will Be Your Friend
Plus, an extra change of clothes. If you’re out all day, I would recommend bringing extra clothes, not only for the potential for accidents, but also for if your baby is sweating, it gets breezy, or they are chilly.
When your baby sweats just like adults, their clothes get wet, and that’s nothing something you want to keep on them all day. When it comes to layers, ensuring that you can take some off if it does get warmer or put others on makes it easier for you to make changes on the run. They cannot communicate with us that they are hot or cold, we must be their thermometer.
How to Know if They are Too Hot
Babies, without speaking, can let you know they are too warm and need to remove some of those smartly put together layers, or go inside and cool off. Some of the signs may be that they are flushed and red, their skin is hot (not just warm), they are sweating, and if not tended too soon enough they could be breathing rapidly.
These are all signs that they are too hot and need to be cooled off. Either take them inside or get them out of the sun and the direct heat.
Follow Your Gut
In the long run, you know your baby the best. Take precautions while you are out and at home to make sure that they aren’t too warm or too cool. Once you have been doing it for a bit you will get a feel for what clothing and how many layers work best for your newborn, and even what the best temperature in the house is to keep them comfortable.
Just be aware of what it’s like outside and you shouldn’t have any problems keeping your new bundle of joy comfortable through the season (or year, depending on where you live).
