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Dressing Babies for Winter

4 December 2024

To keep the baby safe and comfortable during the winter, it is important to maintain their body temperature, and this can be done in several ways:

  • Check whether the baby is hot or cold: look at the tone of their face; if it is flushed and there is sweat, they are hot; Check their fingers and lips; if they are bluish, they are cold.
  • Feel their body temperature: touch your baby’s back or chest (without clothes).
  • Clothes according to the baby’s age: note that up to two-month-old babies need one layer more than adults.
  • Dressing them in layers: wearing several thin layers will insulate from the cold and enable the baby to move freely; therefore, it is preferable to one thick layer.
  • A hat: a hat should be worn on your baby’s head in cold weather or in an unheated room. However, the hat should be removed before sleep.

Babies are more sensitive to the cold than we are, and it is important to maintain their body temperature during the cold season by selecting their clothing wisely. It is always best to check on babies and use your best judgment.

Read the signs

It is advised to check if your baby is hot or cold. You can observe their face and see if it is flushed. You can touch their body and see if they are sweating. If so, they may be too hot. You can also observe their fingers and lips to see if they appear bluish. If so, they are probably cold. You can feel their body heat by touching their chest or back. This is preferable to checking their hands and feet, as these are remote body areas that may not accurately reflect their overall body temperature.

The number of clothing layers depends on their age. Up to the age of two months, babies are not capable of regulating their body temperature; therefore, they should typically be dressed in one more layer than we are.

  • The method of clothing in layers: instead of one thick garment, it is better to dress your baby in several layers of clothing. This creates an air layer between the layers, which helps to insulate the baby from the cold.
  • Type of clothing: at least two layers. For instance, a first layer of a long-sleeved tank top and footed leggings and a second layer on top of an overall that wraps the whole body. For babies up to two months, it is essential to add another layer of socks. After two months, or if the pants you choose are not footed, socks should be added, as warm feet help maintain the whole body temperature.
  • A hat: when putting a hat on a baby, it is important to make sure that it is made of cotton and does not have any strings that could get tangled or pose a hazard. A hat is not necessary for babies at home if the room temperature is warm (22–23 degrees Celsius). However, if the room is cold, you can put a hat on the baby. During sleep, it is best to remove the hat to prevent it from falling off and posing a choking hazard.

Further information on a safe sleep environment

When taking your baby for a walk outside, it is recommended to put a hat on them and make sure it does not fall off while sleeping and pose a hazard.
You can also cover your baby with a blanket. but choose one that is not too thick so that they can still move freely. A fleece blanket is a good option, as it is warm and soft. Always dress your baby according to the weather conditions. This includes wearing socks and gloves or covering their hands with the sleeves of their clothing.

To make the baby comfortable, pleasant, and secure in the winter, it is advisable to select clothes made of 100% cotton. Try to make sure that at least the first layer of clothing that touches your baby's skin is made of 100% cotton. Cotton helps prevent skin irritation and absorb sweat. The outer layers of clothing can be made of other fabrics, such as flannel.

It is best to choose stretchy, soft clothing where the neck opening is wide enough for your baby's head to pass through without any difficulty. The clothes should also not be too tight, as this can restrict your baby's free movement.

It is important to always keep your baby's clothes dry. If a baby's garment gets wet, it is important to remove it immediately and dress the baby in dry clothes to prevent the water from touching their skin and making them cold.

When babies have fever, they likely feel cold. However, it is best to avoid covering them with another layer of clothing or a blanket, as their body temperature might increase further.

More on fever and febrile illnesses

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