How to Dress a Baby In Every Season
There is no one outfit that will always be right for your baby. Depending on the weather, temperature, and activity at hand there are thousands of ‘right’ combinations for your beautiful child. Temperature moderation is a huge concern for keeping babies happy, healthy, and comfortable and the right clothes can make all the difference. Here’s what your baby should be wearing in different kinds of weather and settings.
When Should You Put a Hat on Your Baby
Everyone’s seen infant hats, baby hats, and toddler hats, but when should your baby be wearing them? What different do they make? Well the answers here are simple. Baby hats are used to keep your child protected from the sun’s rays as well as for keeping those important heads and adorable ears super warm and cozy.
According to Dr Charles Shubin, “Babies need hats more than we do because their heads are proportionately bigger compared to their bodies than ours, resulting in more heat transfer, so a hat prevents too much heating or cooling of the baby," this is very true, but a caring parent should always be sure to monitor their child for signs of overheating. Sweating, a flush face, and fussing are signs of a baby that is too hot. If you can’t remove a layer due to sun exposure, the right decision here may be to simply bring your baby inside. Meanwhile, signs of a child that is too cold include oversleeping, pale skin (especially on the ears, lips, fingertips, and toes), and shaking.
A good rule of thumb for when to put your baby in a hat is to consider what you should be wearing in the same situation. If you will be wearing light layers, your baby should too. If it’s a bit colder out, a jacket, hat, or blanket will make all the difference. In direct sun, a baby should be wearing a hat to protect from dangerous UV rays and to keep their eyes protected.
What’s the Right Temperature for a Baby
Babies do not have the ability to properly regulate their own temperature yet, and they can’t tell you when they’re uncomfortable. To stay healthy a baby’s temperature should always stay between 98 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Comfortable temperatures for your baby are between 68 and 72 degrees F which have also been identified as the right temperature to keep a nursery to avoid SIDS.
When going outside, it’s important to pay attention to both your baby’s sun exposure and heat. Sunny weather that’s above 75 degrees should be strictly regulated to between 2-3 hours with frequent shade and cooling off periods. When in doubt, try to keep your baby in comfortable with portable fans and covered strollers.
If you’re worried about your child getting too cold, focus on light layers. This way if you notice your baby getting too warm, you will easily be able to remove a layer. This includes long sleeve shirts, light jackets, blankets, snow coats, multiple layers of socks, and a baby hat with a tight weave to keep in the heat.
The Wrap Up
There are different outfits for different babies, different situations, and different activities. This means that there is no one ‘right way’ to dress your child. Baby hats are incredibly useful accessories for keeping out the cold and protecting your child’s delicate skin and eyes from the sun’s harmful rays. Learning where and when to add or remove layers will come as you get to know your baby’s unique personality and behaviors. Until then, here are some great guidelines to get you started!
