As a new parent, one of the most common questions is how many layers your newborn needs for comfort and warmth. The number of layers needed depends on the temperature and other environmental factors. Using the right number of layers is important to help regulate your baby’s body temperature.
Understanding Newborn Temperature Regulation
Newborns cannot regulate their body temperature as well as adults. Babies lose heat more easily due to their higher ratio of surface area to body mass. They rely on caregivers to help them stay warm and comfortable.
If your newborn gets too cold, their body directs blood flow away from their extremities to preserve heat in their vital organs. This can cause their hands and feet to feel cool or cold to the touch. It can also cause a drop in body temperature, which is dangerous for infants.
Overheating can also be a problem. Babies sweat less than adults, so they have more difficulty cooling down. Overdressing your newborn can lead to overheating, restless sleep, and skin irritation.
Ideal Temperature for Newborns
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping your baby’s environment around 68-72°F. Dress your newborn appropriately for this room temperature during naps and nighttime. Do not let the room get too warm, as overheating is a risk.
For bath time, the water temperature should be set to 100°F max. After baths, dry your baby thoroughly and dress them to prevent chills.
Signs Your Baby is Too Cold or Too Hot
Watch for these signs that your baby may be too cold or too hot:
| Signs of Cold | Signs of Overheating |
|---|---|
| – Cold hands and feet – Pale or bluish skin – Lethargic or weak cry – Shivering |
– Flushed, sweaty skin – Rapid breathing – Restlessness/irritability |
If you notice any of these signs, adjust your baby’s clothing layers and room temperature as needed.
Clothing Materials for Temperature Regulation
The type of fabric you dress your newborn in impacts their temperature regulation. Some key things to know:
- Cotton is a breathable natural fiber that helps prevent overheating.
- Wool and cashmere keep heat in while allowing some airflow.
- Synthetics like polyester have poor airflow leading to sweatiness.
- Tight clothing restricts air circulation.
Focus on soft, breathable fabrics for everyday use. Save the synthetics for outer layers only when needed.
How Many Layers for Newborns
As a general rule, infants need one more layer than an adult would wear in the same environmental conditions. Here are layering guidelines for newborns:
| Environment | Recommended Layers |
|---|---|
| 68-72°F (comfortable room temp) | Short sleeve bodysuit OR light sleep sack/swaddle pod Footed pajamas or pants + long sleeve shirt |
| 65-68°F | Short sleeve bodysuit Long sleeve bodysuit OR pants + long sleeve shirt Sleep sack/swaddle pod OR footed pajamas |
| 60-65°F (cooler conditions) | Short sleeve bodysuit Long sleeve bodysuit Sleep sack/swaddle pod AND/OR footed pajamas Hat |
| Under 60°F | Short sleeve bodysuit Long sleeve bodysuit Footed pajamas Sleep sack/swaddle pod Hat Socks or booties if needed |
Remove excess layers as needed if your baby seems too warm. Look for signs of overheating and undress them down to a basic onesie or diaper if concerned.
Special Considerations for Premature Babies
Preemies usually need one more layer than a full term newborn. They have greater difficulty regulating body temperature and get cold more easily due to lack of fat stores.
Keep your premature baby’s room at a constant temperature around 72-76°F. Dress them in bodysuits, sleep sacks, hats, and socks as needed for warmth. Swaddling can also help regulate temperature.
Dressing for Cold Weather
In cold weather, additional layers help trap heat when taking your newborn outside. Here are some tips:
- Use a bunting or snowsuit that zips up for easy diaper changes.
- Add a hat, mittens, socks, and booties.
- Use a blanket sleeper as a base layer under the snowsuit.
- Put a thin sweater or onesie under the sleeper for extra warmth.
- Cover the car seat with a blanket when transporting your bundled baby.
Only stay outside briefly in cold temps. Infants lose heat quickly when exposed to cold air. Get them back indoors to warm up as needed.
Swaddling Considerations
Swaddling can help newborns sleep better and stay warm. But it also poses a risk for overheating. Follow these tips for safe swaddling:
- Use only a thin muslin or cotton blanket.
- Keep the room temperature around 68-72°F.
- Avoid overdressing under the swaddle.
- Leave baby’s arms free once they start trying to roll over.
Stop swaddling once your baby shows signs of trying to roll. An alternative is to use a sleep sack with arm openings.
Dressing for Sleep
It’s important not to overbundle your newborn for sleep. Pajamas and sleep sacks are safer than loosening blankets that could bunch up and pose a suffocation risk. Follow these tips:
- Use breathable cotton sleepwear without hoods or ties.
- Put your baby to sleep in the same number of layers you would use when awake.
- You can add one additional layer such as pajamas over a onesie suit.
- Skip the socks unless feet feel cool to the touch.
- Set the room temperature to around 68-72°F.
Avoid overdressing, especially during naps. Babies can wriggle out of blankets but may have trouble removing excess clothing layers.
Transitioning Out of Swaddling for Sleep
When transitioning out of swaddling for sleep, try these tips:
- Use a sleep sack with one arm out, then both arms free.
- Try a merlin suit or dreamland sleep sack to mimic the snug feel of a swaddle.
- Add a pacifier or white noise for soothing.
- Go cold turkey once rolling over if needed.
It may take some adjustment stopping swaddling. Persist with new sleep associations and your baby will adapt to sleeping unswaddled.
Dressing for Car Travel
Here are some car seat safety tips when dressing your newborn for travel:
- No bulky clothing or puffy snowsuits, as these compress in crashes.
- Use thinner layers like cotton bodysuits and fleece jackets.
- You should be able to pinch excess fabric at shoulders.
- Arms and legs shouldn’t feel tight when strapped in.
- Add a blanket over baby if needed after strapping them in.
Never place blankets under or behind baby in the seat as they can slump down into loose bedding. Check straps for snugness over clothing.
Daily Outfit Suggestions
Some sample daily outfits for common environments:
For home (68-72°F):
- Short sleeve bodysuit
- Footed pajamas or pants + long sleeve shirt
For napping/sleep:
- Short sleeve bodysuit
- Sleep sack or footed pajamas
For a quick errand (70°F):
- Short sleeve bodysuit
- Pants
- Long sleeve shirt
- Booties or socks if needed
For a cold day (40°F):
- Short sleeve bodysuit
- Long sleeve bodysuit
- Footed pajamas
- Hat and mittens
Adjust clothing up or down based on your baby’s signals and the environment. Multiple light layers make it easy to modify.
Conclusion
Dressing a newborn can take some trial and error. Start with the recommended layers for the environment, then make adjustments as needed. It’s always better to underdress a little and add a layer than to overbundle.
Pay attention to your baby’s signals related to temperature. Your ultimate guide is your newborn’s comfort. With some practice layering, you will learn the right mix to keep your little one warm, safe and comfortable.