Here’s How To Dress Your Baby, Whether It’s Just Chilly Or Totally Freezing

When the temperatures are in the 50s and the skies are sunny, you can absolutely still take your baby outside for a stroll. A good outfit for a sunny 50-degree day might include a long-sleeved shirt, a light sweater, and a hat. If you’re going to be outside for a while or if it’s really windy, you will probably also want to bring a blanket or extra layer for protection, just in case.

However, as you approach the end of winter and the beginning of spring there are going to be some rainy days in the forecast, too. If you’re taking your baby outside when it’s raining, you definitely want to keep them protected from the elements, and a great way to do that is with a rain guard over the stroller.

“Rain guards are perfect for those rainy, snowy, or windy days,” says Dr. Hes, “They are well ventilated with slits cut out or mesh on the sides.” You still want to be mindful of how your baby is dressed, though, because it can get hot under the rain guards. “I would make sure that you do not overdress your baby under the plastic guard,” Hes says, “It is a good insulating tool and you do not want your baby to overheat underneath.”

It can be tricky to dress for 40-degree weather because it’s not freezing cold, but it’s also definitely not warm. Your baby will likely be cozy and comfortable in a long sleeve shirt with a sweater or a light to mid-weight jacket on as well. It might also be a good idea to bring a hat and some gloves to keep them warm if needed. “I think that if you can keep mittens on your baby’s hands it’s important because their feet and hands get cold and the hands are usually exposed to the elements,” says Hes.

It’s a good idea to keep a hat in the diaper bag too, Hes and Engelbreth agree, since they’re easy to put on or take off as needed. It’s also an easy way to quickly cool your baby down if you’re noticing signs of overheating.

“A baby who is overheating is likely to fuss and cry and show signs of discomfort,” says Engelbreth, “Over time, they get kind of sleepy and tired … [and] they might get red in the face.”

Once the temperature dips down to 32 degrees, you’re officially in freezing weather. You should try to avoid bringing babies 6 months or younger out at all. For older babies, limit their time outdoors as much as possible too — they’re more susceptible to frostbite than adults. “I would try to avoid even having their face exposed for more than 10 minutes or so,” says Engelbreth.

On those days where it’s not quite freezing but still super chilly, layer your baby up and cover as much skin as possible using hats, mittens, and warm boots. If you’re taking them outside, consider getting a footmuff to attach to their stroller for extra warmth. “Footmuffs are perfect for cold days,” says Hes, “They’re a cozy way for your kids to stay warm and still see all their surroundings.”

If you’re driving instead of strolling, give your car a few minutes to warm up before putting baby in the car seat, Engelbreth advises. Babies shouldn’t wear their coats when they’re strapped into their car seat, and it’s also not safe to attach footmuffs to them. “If you know you’re going to be leaving, you can start warming up that car five minutes before you put the baby inside,” she says.

If it’s 20 degrees or lower, skip going outside altogether; grab yourself a hot cup of coffee and stay inside snuggling your baby instead. Of course, that’s not always possible, so if you have to head out, you’ll want to make sure you protect every inch of your baby’s skin and, even if they’re going to be inside all day, layer them up wisely.

“One hundred percent cotton is always the best choice for the layer against your child’s body. The other layers’ [fabrics] are not as important,” Hes says (though you do still want to choose materials that your baby will be comfortable in). “Wool can be irritating to a baby if it is not soft like cashmere [and] polyester can often make a baby sweat a lot and lead to rashes.”