How to dress your newborn baby?

Dressing a newborn is not complicated, but as new parents you will naturally have questions.
Should I put a hat on at night? What if there are only socks on, will their feet get cold? Which laundry detergent should I use? These are just a few of the many questions that come up, especially with a first baby. Below you will find tips, tricks and a few simple “rules” to help you dress your little one well.

There is an old saying that you should not buy baby clothes before your little one is born. Like many such ideas, it divides opinion. Preparing for a baby’s arrival is magical, and very few mums to be can resist a little shopping. After birth you may not have the time or energy to visit shops for the essentials. The key is moderation and quality, so you do not go overboard and you keep an eye on fabric and finish.

What can go wrong when dressing a newborn 

Avoid the following:

• Trousers. Skip them for at least the first six weeks. Waistbands can irritate the umbilical area.

• Narrow neck bodysuits. Choose popper or button openings so you do not pull tight fabric over your baby’s soft head.

• Cords and ties. Anything that could wind around the neck.

• Glitter and sequins. Small decorative pieces can become a hazard.

Also be careful not to overdress. Even very tiny babies do not need preparing for the North Pole. If they sweat into thick layers they can develop heat rash and then catch a chill. Many of us fear underdressing more, and of course that should also be avoided.

Remember:

• In the first months your baby cannot regulate body temperature reliably. Check them from time to time, not hands or feet, but the back of the neck and upper back. Place your hand at the nape. If it is damp or sweaty, remove a layer. If it feels cool, add one. Your baby is comfortable when the nape feels pleasantly warm.

• Do not overdo it, but as a rule your newborn should wear one more layer than you. There is an exception. A full term, healthy baby in summer above 25°C does not always need two layers. One can be enough. If you move into shade their thermal comfort changes, so keep a light blanket handy.

Little tricks to make life easier 

• Choose natural fibres that let skin breathe and do not cause irritation. Bamboo pieces feel cooling in heat and warming in the cold.

• While dressing, talk, sing and tell little stories. It turns the moment into a calm, pleasant time for you both.

• Buy for quality, not quantity. Babies grow fast and some items will sit unworn. You will be better off with fewer, skin kind, soft pieces that keep your baby comfortable and settled.

Why is bamboo clothing a great choice 

Heard of a fabric that works in winter and summer? If not, meet our bamboo pieces. Thanks to their extra softness, they very quickly become favourites. Bamboo has temperature regulating properties, cooling in summer and keeping your little one warm in winter.

Bamboo is also highly breathable, which supports restful sleep as it does not irritate delicate skin. All our bamboo garments are eco friendly, allow good airflow and are excellent for babies with skin concerns.

As mentioned above, bamboo helps balance temperature, so it is usable all year round. We still need to adapt to the seasons, so let us look at them one by one.

Dressing a newborn in winter 

Aim for 22 to 24°C indoors. At this temperature a bodysuit plus sleepsuit is enough. Add socks if the sleepsuit has open feet. Use a light cotton hat indoors too. It should cover ears and forehead. Natural, breathable fabric matters here as well, because baby scalps are especially sensitive and prone to cradle cap.

Outdoors your baby needs what you need. A jumper, a warm water repellent pramsuit in place of a coat, and a warm hat that covers head and forehead. We do not recommend a long scarf, as it can wrap around the neck. Try snood style neck warmers instead. They are quick to pop on, with no winding, and they keep every side warm.

Do not forget warm mittens and a blanket. If you pop into a heated shop or other warm place, a removable blanket is very handy so you can shed a layer quickly and avoid overheating. If you are babywearing, open your babywearing coat or remove the babywearing cover indoors.

Avoid letting the winter kit overheat your baby while you are still getting yourself ready. Organise things so waiting time in full kit is minimal. Have everything set out in advance so you only need to throw on your coat and shoes. Add the blanket just before you head out into the cold.

Dressing a newborn in autumn and spring 

These are the trickiest seasons because the weather is changeable and temperatures can swing in a single day. It may feel autumnal in the morning and almost summery by afternoon.

The only way to adapt is with several light layers, possibly more than one blanket, an easy off pramsuit, and even two hat weights. Yes, you will end up carrying the layers you are not using.

In spring do not forget that the sun can be strong. Think UV protection and a hat with suitable coverage.

What should a newborn wear in summer 

Summer is easier because babies do not need lots of layers. Most do not enjoy dressing anyway.
Be ready to add a layer if you move suddenly into shade or an air conditioned space. A light blanket is perfect to pop over your baby when you step into a cooled shop.

As noted above, in very hot weather a healthy full term newborn may not need two layers. Still use a hat in summer. Even a light draught can be an issue, and UV protection matters too.

Dressing a baby you carry in a sling or carrier 

If you babywear, remember the wrap or carrier counts as a layer, and your body heat warms your baby as well. In hot weather one clothing layer is often enough while in the wrap, but be ready to add a layer when you take them out.

Always bring spare clothes. Even several. Carried babies are more likely to sweat in summer and you may need to change them.

In cold weather babywearing covers and babywearing coats that warm you both are excellent. When it is changeable, babywearing can actually make things easier. You sense your baby’s comfort level more directly and can adjust the cover without constant dressing and undressing.

One thing to watch with carrying. With ergonomic positioning your baby’s knees are tucked up, so footed sleepsuits can pull tight over the feet and feel uncomfortable. In this case choose a footless sleepsuit plus socks.

We hope this guide helps. If you still have questions, just ask. If you are unsure how much of each item to buy or how to build a sensible newborn wardrobe, get in touch. We are happy to help.

Sources:

The Lullaby Trust – “Safer Sleep Awareness”

NHS Healthier Together – “Safer Sleep / Safe sleeping”