How to dress a newborn at home and for going out
The general rule is to dress the newborn with one layer more than what we adults wear in the same situation.
How to dress a newborn to stay at home or for walks? Which fabrics are preferable? Better to dress them in layers? And how many?
To answer these questions, it is good to make some considerations.
During the first weeks of life, the baby is unable to thermoregulate on its own. If he sleeps peacefully, feeds frequently, shows no signs of discomfort and crying, it means he’s fine and therefore his body temperature is fine too.
During pregnancy the baby’s temperature is regulated within the uterus, whereas a newborn is unable to do this in the first few weeks of life because it is unable to shiver to keep warm. The main method of producing heat is to use brown adipose tissue, the use of which results in the expenditure of an enormous amount of energy. For this reason it is important that mum and dad help him to regulate his temperature by dressing him correctly.
When he is calm and lying down, feel his hands, feet and forehead to make sure they are not cold or he is not sweating excessively, both conditions are not right.
As a general rule to dress a child we consider that of the layer more than we adults are wearing for that temperature .
So consider how you dress to look good and add an extra layer for your child.
Check his well-being by checking the temperature of the feet and back of the neck.
The normal body temperature of a newborn
The normal body temperature for a child is between 36.5 and 37.5°C. Temperatures below or above this range are not good-
Fever is present when the child’s temperature is higher than 37.5 °C and in these cases the pediatrician should be notified.
When the baby loses heat
The baby can lose body heat through evaporation. For example, when your baby gets out of the tub, the air around him cools him down. Heat loss can occur rapidly because babies have large skin surfaces to lose heat and a baby’s head makes up a large proportion of the surface area for heat loss. After bathing, dry your child quickly, put on a hat and make sure there are no open windows or drafts in the bathing area.
Your baby may also lose heat when his body comes into contact with a cool surface because he takes heat from his body.
The fabrics
Regardless of the season , 100% natural cotton fabrics or in any case linen and cotton up to 70% of the total are preferable . Synthetic fibers should be avoided because they retain sweat and can irritate the sensitive skin of babies
Better if in light fabric to reflect light and heat. Light colors are preferable to very colorful ones also because the dyes used in the fabrics (which also include nickel and formaldehyde) can be irritating, cause allergies or in any case be toxic for the child.
It may be superfluous to remember this but it is good to avoid rigid fabrics with laces and buttons that can be dangerous.
Yes instead to soft fabrics and comfortable overalls that leave freedom of movement.
Dressing a newborn for walks
There are no age limits to start walking. You brought him home from the hospital and that was already a first outing. So once at home, you can easily go for walks or in the park as soon as mum is back on her strength, or delegate dad for a walk with the baby while mum rests. Avoid foggy or windy days and routes in the middle of city traffic.
Depending on the outside temperatures, you adjust with the amount of layers.
Dressing a newborn in winter
It is always recommended to dress the child in several layers because they trap the heat between them.
Always consider an additional layer over the ones you wear, both inside and outside the home.
For example, if you are comfortable inside the house with a t-shirt, the baby will be dressed in a bodysuit and overalls, if you have a sweater, the baby will have a bodysuit, overalls and a woolen sweater or a blanket if he is in the crib.
If you are outdoors and you are too cold to wear a hat and gloves and your child must have them too.
If it is very cold you can use a thermal bag to wrap the baby
When you put the child in the car, take off his bulky clothes before tying him to the seat because it could decrease the safety of the harness.
Beware of overheating . Children shouldn’t be overdressed. Excessive layers (of blankets or clothing) put babies at greater risk of overheating and SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). So if you’ve been outdoors remove your child’s winter clothes as soon as you enter the house (even if he’s asleep!).
Whether it’s winter or summer, the room temperature in the house must be kept between 20 and 22°C (a little more if the baby was born prematurely). To make sure your baby is okay, check his neck to see if he’s sweating too much. For sleeping better a sleeping bag than blankets.
How to dress a newborn for the warm season
When the temperature exceeds 24 degrees, a single layer may be sufficient (bodysuit plus playsuit suitable for the season with long sleeves to avoid exposure to insect bites or other). Outside, always cover the child’s head with a light hat. Cold or hot, hats are important to protect your child from too much sunlight.
When it’s very hot outside, use lighter fabrics, especially at night. While sleeping baby requires yet another layer, which can be represented by a summer sleeping bag.
Avoid direct exposure to the sun whether the temperatures are hot or cold.
Eyes should always be protected from the sun with UV protective sunglasses.
Signs of overheating
In summer, children should not be exposed to high temperatures. When babies are too hot, that is, overheating, they may appear flushed and sweaty or may breathe rapidly. This makes them irritable and at risk of heatstroke. In these cases they should be brought to an environment with temperatures suitable for the newborn (20-22 degrees) and the layers should be removed gradually until they lose excess heat. In case of heat stroke, call your doctor immediately.
During the mid-season?
When the temperature is mild, the rule of layers still applies. Dress the baby in as many layers as needed and add one more than you. Also, make sure your little one is always dry, because wet or damp clothing can cause hypothermia even in mild weather. Regardless of the temperature, always make sure your child is protected from the sun.
Kathryn Barlow is an OB/GYN doctor, which is the medical specialty that deals with the care of women's reproductive health, including pregnancy and childbirth.
Obstetricians provide care to women during pregnancy, labor, and delivery, while gynecologists focus on the health of the female reproductive system, including the ovaries, uterus, vagina, and breasts. OB/GYN doctors are trained to provide medical and surgical care for a wide range of conditions related to women's reproductive health.