How to Dress a Newborn in Summer (Day & Night!) | Pepa London (2024)

FAQs

What do newborns wear in summer UK? ›

Generally, when it's hot, a single layer is enough – lightweight cotton is best as it's breathable. When you're out and about, make sure your baby has a wide brim hat on to keep the sun off their face. The pram should have a clip-on parasol or sunshade.

Use lightweight layers

As babies have a limited ability to regulate their own temperature, a general rule of thumb is dressing them in one more layer than you'd wear in their room. A short-sleeved bodysuit or summer sleepsuit underneath a lightweight sleeping bag should keep them comfortable and safe through the night.

Long-sleeved sleepsuits

Your little one will wear these to sleep in, for months, as well as during the day during their first few weeks, so stock up. And with plenty of spit-up milk and nappy leakages in the first few weeks you really will want to make sure you have a good supply of these baby sleepsuits.

Cotton clothes will keep your baby cooler in hot weather than clothes made from synthetic fibres. Cotton also washes well and is gentle against your baby's sensitive skin. It's also important to look out for clothes with a low fire hazard label. Newborn rompers and jumpsuits should have this label.

All you need for the first few weeks are enough clothes to make sure your baby will be warm and clean. You'll probably need: 6 stretch suits (all-in-ones) for both day and night, or 4 stretch suits and 2 nightdresses (nighties) for the night – use socks or bootees with the nightie if it's cold.

Dressing Your Baby for Sleep in Summer

Many parents choose to put their children in footie pajamas under their sleep sacks, but if the weather is very warm, a lightweight bodysuit will often be enough. If it's really hot, just dressing them in their diaper and the sleep sack could be enough.

Use lightweight layers

If it's a particularly warm night then a footless sleepsuit or bodysuit on its own should be fine. Whilst adults love to be fully covered whilst we sleep (even if it's very warm out), babies don't mind having their toes or legs exposed in appropriate temperatures.

Sun protection

If you are walking with your newborn outside in the summer and cannot protect their skin with a canopy or other type of shade, it is recommended for babies to wear a hat and clothing that fully covers their bodies, including their arms and legs.

Do not use pillows or duvets with babies under the age of 1, as they can suffocate if their face gets smothered. They won't be able to push the duvet away. Babies should always sleep on their back with their feet at the foot of their cot.

Should newborn wear socks to bed? ›

Socks Help to regulate their body temperature

Surprisingly, warming a baby's skin temperature can decrease their core body temperature by expanding blood vessels near the skin. A low core temperature is needed for sleep, so putting socks on at bedtime can help you baby nod off easier than if they weren't wearing any.

Babies control their temperature mostly through their head and face. To prevent them from overheating, don't cover your baby's head. Avoid putting them to bed with a bib or anything else that could cover their face. If you swaddle (wrap) your baby, use a muslin or thin cotton wrap.

On warm summer nights, dress your tot in light and breezy clothes. Use layers of fitted clothing rather than just thick pajamas. An organic cotton body suit, short sleeve cotton, t-shirt with a muslin or a muslin/cotton swaddle, or a sleep slack that is layered on top will do just fine.

In warm weather, dress your baby in a T-shirt and light cotton pants or a baby blanket over bare legs. If it's cold, put footie pajamas, a hat, and warm blanket over your baby. But be sure to keep all blankets far from your baby's face to avoid suffocation.

Babies can generally handle an extra layer compared to an adult, but you also don't want to overdo it. Keep extra clothes in your diaper bag. Shorts and long pants, along with short-sleeved and long-sleeved tops are good to have on hand if you are going from hot sun to air-conditioning and back again.

Dressing your newborn appropriately for the temperature is crucial for their comfort. We recommend choosing lightweight, breathable and moisture-wicking fabrics such as cotton or bamboo to keep them cool. It's also important to choose lower TOG ratings when purchasing summer swaddles, sleep suits or sleep bags.

Hot Weather

A good general rule still applies: if you are hot and sweaty, so is your baby. One layer of clothing is fine. Anything over 75 degrees is pretty much fair game for a single layer of clothing. Stick to 100% cotton materials that breathe well.

When the temperature rises over 75 degrees Fahrenheit, it's a safe bet to dress baby in only a single layer of loose clothing so they don't overheat. Lightweight cotton clothes are breathable to help baby keep cool—and protect their skin from sunburn (keep baby in the shade as much as possible).