As temperatures turn colder, you want to ensure your bundle of joy stays bundled up. However, too many warm layers can cause your baby to overheat, and because she does not yet verbally communicate, this can pose difficulty when trying to ensure she is at the proper temperature. Layering is a good method to ensure your baby can breathe, yet stay toasty and warm. You also should ensure your baby's clothing is appropriate to the level of cold, seeing as clothing that works at 40 degrees Fahrenheit no longer is enough for below-zero temperatures.
Step 1
Dress your baby in polyester or polyester blends of fabric for the layer that touches his skin. This is the best type of fabric for wicking away moisture, according to One Step Ahead. A long-sleeve T-shirt and stretchy pants provide warmth and allow for movement.
Step 2
Add a layer of fleece fabric as another line of defense to seal in warmth. Fleece also is soft on a baby's skin, making it a pleasing fabric to wear, according to One Step Ahead. A fleece pullover/vest and a pair of fleece pants are ideal.
Step 3
Put on a hat that features strings that tie under your baby's chin. Because your newborn will likely be tugging at his hat otherwise, tying the hat with straps will ensure she is more likely to keep the hat on. Feel the fabric with your fingertips to ensure it is soft---itchy fabrics can irritate a newborn's sensitive skin.
Step 4
Add a waterproof outer layer. Because your baby is a newborn, he can keep on a one-piece snowsuit, which may be difficult for older children to stay in. The best snowsuit should be one that covers the head, hands and feet. Like anyone of any age, the extremities are rarely as warm as the central torso area, as heat escapes from hands and feet more easily, and for vulnerable newborns, it's even more important that these extremities be covered, according to Robyn's Nest. You should also buy the snowsuit in a size slightly larger than your newborn, which will allow him to grow into it.
Tips and Warnings
- When selecting the appropriate amount of layers to wear, What to Expect recommends dressing your baby in the same amount of layers you are wearing, plus one additional layer.
- Remove some of baby's clothing layers as soon as you step inside. Leaving too many layers on the skin indoors can increase your baby's risk of overheating at best and sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS, at worst. Do this even if your baby is asleep when you bring her indoors, according to What to Expect.
Things You'll Need
- Polyester blend shirt and pants
- Fleece pants and jacket/vest
- Snowsuit/water-resistant jacket and pants
- Hat
