Each baby has its preferences, but a good way to start dressing them up in 70-degree weather is a short-sleeved shirt with pants or a short-sleeved bodysuit/onesie. Adjust by including additional layers of clothing or a thin 1.0 tog blanket. Avoid thick blankets and opt for sleep sacks if extra layers are needed. Cotton, silk, bamboo, rayon, and muslin are good choices for fabrics. Take extra care when placing and removing clothes on your little one. A quick way to check if your child is too hot or cold is to feel for their skin at the chest, tummy, arms, and legs.
Is it your child’s first spring season? Are you excited to try all the new baby clothing trends and styles? Before hitting the shopping shelves, first take some tips below on which clothes are best for your loved one.
What clothes should you pick for your baby?
When the temperature hits 70° Fahrenheit (21.1° Celsius), start with a short-sleeve bodysuit or an undershirt. Add on other layers if your baby seems uncomfortable and cold, taking note of how thick the fabrics are. You can check the labels or tags for the tog rating.
What does tog mean?
The tog is a measurement of how well a material can resist the flow of heat from one side to another.
In this case, it measures how well a blanket or piece of clothing can block the loss of heat from your child’s body to the immediate environment. The smaller the number, the lighter the material, but the less it is able to hold your baby’s warmth.
Blankets for infants can range from 0.5 tog to 2.5 tog in terms of thermal resistance.
Check what your child’s clothing is made of
Clothes made of cotton are a popular choice for infants. Double-check the thickness; choose thinner clothing for warm weather. Silk is a great alternative for babies with sensitive skin, though it may cost a little more.
Go for other natural fabrics such as bamboo rayon and muslin, as these are generally more comfortable than synthetic linens and clothes.
Not all types of cloth are good for babies at this temperature. Avoid clothes made of fleece, wool, or cashmere. These trap heat between the baby’s skin and clothing, increasing their overall body temperature.
70-degree sleepwear for infants
Some babies can tolerate 70 degrees much better than others. You can test with a short-sleeve bodysuit, then a long-sleeve one. It’ll take around a day or two of trial and error to find out which one your child prefers.
Some good suggestions for sleepwear at this temperature are the following:
Example #1
- short-sleeved bodysuit or short-sleeved shirt and pants
- 0.5 tog sleeping bag or swaddle
Example #2
- long-sleeved bodysuit or long-sleeved shirt and pants
- 0.5 tog sleeping bag or swaddle
Example #3
- short-sleeved bodysuit or short-sleeved shirt and pants
- 1.0 tog sleeping bag or swaddle
Can we use blankets for babies?
Blankets may be used for babies, but they do pose some risks of suffocation and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) if they are too thick. A thin blanket that’s snugly tucked in or an extra layer of clothes is better than a thick blanket draped over your child’s body.
A good alternative is a 1.0 tog sleep sack. It’s just like a blanket but shaped like a sack to place your child in.
It allows them to move around while asleep while ensuring that the blanket won’t be moved too much that it can potentially cover the face and cause choking or difficulty breathing.
Dressing up and undressing your little one
How to dress up your baby at 70-degree weather
First-time parents may be hesitant to change a baby’s clothes, especially when they are thick or snug to fit.
You can start by placing the infant in a sitting position, comfortably on your lap. Then, place the neckline of the shirt or top over the head, making use of your index and middle fingers to keep it from entangling with the ears, nose, and eyes.
When it comes to the arms, assist your child by putting your hands through the sleeves to catch their arms and slowly bring them out the sleeves.
How to undress your baby at 70-degree weather
Undressing your child is pretty much how to dress them up but in reverse. Start by guiding the arms inwards to remove the sleeves.
Then remove the neckline with two fingers lining the edges, sweeping the clothing upwards, taking care not to hit the eyes, nose, and ears.
How can you tell if your baby feels cold or hot?
According to research, the correct body temperature for babies up until they turn one year of age is 94.8–98.3 degrees Fahrenheit (36.4–37.3°C).
A simple way to check if your baby is comfortable with the room temperature is to feel their skin. For example, the chest or tummy will typically feel a little warmer than the arms or legs.
Is your child feeling too cold?
Sometimes your baby’s hands and feet may turn somewhat bluish (called cyanosis). This may mean they need an extra layer of clothes or another pair of socks or mittens. Just make sure that the cyanosis doesn’t reach the lips or face.
If your child feels cold to the touch, a quick skin-to-skin contact goes a long way (just like Kangaroo care). Your body warmth easily passes on to your baby, helping them readjust their core temperature.
Afterward, add another layer of clothing to maintain the correct temperature. Make sure to check on your baby after an hour or so to make sure that they’re not feeling too hot.
Is your child feeling too hot?
If you’re inside the house or in a room, check the temperature. The ideal room temperature for babies is 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit, but for nighttime and during sleep, 66-70 degrees Fahrenheit is better. If it’s too hot, newborns are at risk of SIDS.
Some signs that indicate that your child’s too hot in their clothes are very warm to slightly hot chest or tummy, and sweating on their forehead and sides of the neck. Removing one layer of clothes usually solves this.
You can also opt to simply change the room temperature or use a fan to decrease the temperature a few notches.
FAQs
What do thick blankets have to do with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)?
SIDS is a sudden and unexpected infant death that may or may not be fully explained. Some causes include infection, metabolic conditions, suffocation, asphyxia, and trauma.
Studies show different conditions can increase the risk for SIDS occurring in babies. Using materials that can lead to unintentional suffocation during sleep, like thick blankets, is one risk factor for SIDS.
My baby was born premature. Should I put on an extra layer of clothes?
A single additional layer of clothes may help preemies save body warmth. Since they were born a little earlier than expected, it will take some time for them to adjust to temperature changes as well as term babies do.
Here are some resources where you can buy clothes suited for preemies.
Takeaway
In 70 degree weather, a short-sleeved shirt with pants or a short-sleeved bodysuit is the basic outfit for babies, which can be adjusted by placing additional clothing or a thin blanket. Soft, natural fabrics are recommended for infants. Make sure to check if your child is too hot or cold whenever you add or remove clothes.
Your little one may adapt well to cooler temperatures, or just needs more cuddles and extra clothes. Regardless, it’s always best to make sure your baby is comfortable in the clothes they’re in. If you feel that your child is still irritable and uncomfortable despite any adjustments you’ve done, seek help from a healthcare provider.
