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 fabric choices. Take extra care when placing and removing clothes. 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.
A 70 degree weather requires parents to think a lot about how to dress their baby suitably. Making the right choice is important so the little one is neither too hot nor too cold.
A lot depends on the room temperature and your baby’s individual needs. When dressing up your baby, you need to consider several factors before diving into the clothing store.
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, take a look below at which clothes are best for your little one.
Ideal room temperature for babies
Before we jump into deciding what clothes would be suitable for your little one, it’s vital that you understand the 70 degree weather and the ideal room temperature.
The ideal room temperature for babies is between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s a comfortable temperature range for your baby.
A room temperature that’s too hot or too cold will not only affect your little one’s health but also disturb their sleep schedule.
Especially at night, it’s necessary that ideal room temperature is maintained.
The weather outside also affects the room’s temperature, and you must keep a close eye on how it feels inside the room where the baby sleeps.
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.
Note the fabric’s thickness and add on other layers if your baby seems uncomfortable and cold.
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.
For 70 degree weather, a 1.0 tog rating is recommended for your baby’s clothes. This rating on clothes would give the baby the right amount of warmth and comfort.
However, the room temperature also plays a significant role in deciding the tog rating.
If the room is colder, you should opt for a higher tog rating or add layers to your baby’s sleepwear.
If the room is warmer, you may want to choose a lower tog rating or dress in light layers.
As a rule of thumb, you should always dress your baby in an extra layer than what you’re comfortable wearing.
So, if you’re wearing shorts and a T-shirt, your baby should wear a short-sleeved onesie with a 1.0 tog rating sleep sack or a lightweight swaddle blanket.
Choosing the right fabric
Clothes made of cotton are a popular choice for infants. Double-check the thickness and 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.
Natural fabrics are generally good as they are soft, breathable, and gentle on their delicate skin.
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.
Synthetic fabrics such as polyester and rayon are also not a good choice of fabrics.
Even though they’re less expensive and easier to care for, they aren’t breathable and can cause babies to overheat.
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. Finding out which one your child prefers will take around a day or two of trial and error.
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.
Ensure that the blanket is lightweight and breathable. You could also use a swaddle blanket to wrap your baby, making them feel secure and calm.
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.
Remember, each baby has different preferences, and what works for some won’t work for others. So, you’ve to see what combination works best for your baby.
How to dress up your baby in 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 shirt’s neckline or top over the head, using 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.
Some clothing options for a 70 degree weather include:
- Short-sleeved shirt and pants
- short-sleeved bodysuit or onesie
- lightweight jacket or cardigan
- sleep sacks or a lightweight blanket
- swaddle blanket
Keeping layers of lightweight clothing nearby is always safe for cooler nights because you would need them to dress up your little one.
How to undress your baby in 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.
How to tell your baby is feeling 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, 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.
How to tell your baby is feeling hot?
Check the temperature if you’re inside the house or in a room.
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 could be at risk of SIDS.
Some signs 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 change the room temperature or use a fan to decrease the temperature a few notches.
Safety tips for dressing your baby
For any weather when you’re dressing up your little one, it’s vital to take a look at the safety conditions so your baby doesn’t end up overheating or feeling too cold.
Suffocation risks
Ensure your baby’s clothing fits properly because a little loose clothing could suffocate your baby.
Though it might seem cute and trendy, avoid clothes with any strings or decorations that can become a safety hazard, and opt for simple clothes with only prints on them.
When using blankets and swaddles, you’ve to be careful.
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, overheating is a risk factor for SIDS.
So, it’s necessary to dress your baby in light layers and not stuff them with heavy clothes, including heavy blankets, when they’re sleeping.
It’s necessary to keep the room temperature in a comfortable setting that’s ideal for the baby.
Apart from clothes, make sure your little one isn’t sleeping on their stomach but back down to avoid the risk of SIDS. Keep their crib free of pillows and toys when they’re asleep.
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 of SIDS occurring in babies.
Using materials that can lead to unintentional suffocation during sleep, like thick blankets, is one risk factor for SIDS.
How to dress my premature baby?
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.
Will a baby cry if they’re too hot?
A too-hot or too-cold temperature can make your baby cry. Your baby could easily become fussy or irritated due to the hot weather and overheating.
Hot weather would make them sweat, get damp hair, heat rash, or clammy skin.
In severe heating cases, they could also succumb to SIDS.
Can I use a fan for a newborn?
Air circulation is important for a newborn so as to avoid overheating and, in severe cases, to avoid SIDS.
While using an AC could be too much for the baby, using a fan would benefit them in many ways.
Just avoid placing the fan directly in their way, and the fan would allow necessary air circulation.
References
- https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/sleep/Pages/A-Parents-Guide-to-Safe-Sleep.aspx
- https://www.healthline.com/health/what-is-normal-body-temperature#temperature-ranges
- https://www.safesleepacademy.org/what-does-crying-mean/#:~:text=The%20temperature%20can%20make%20your,heat%20rash%2C%20or%20clammy%20skin.
- https://www.cloudninecare.com/blog/tips-to-use-the-coolers-and-acs-for-a-newborn#:~:text=The%20most%20common%20question%20every,Cooler%20safe%20for%20my%20baby%3F&text=%E2%80%8DWell%2C%20the%20answer%20is%20YES,not%20good%20for%20a%20newborn.
- https://www.parents.com/baby/care/newborn/making-baby-comfortable-in-summer-heat/
