Babies can't cool down as well as adults, so hot days need a little extra care. Light clothes, plenty of shade and good airflow make summer days comfortable and safe.
How to dress a baby when it's hot
- One light layer is often enough on a hot day, such as a short-sleeve bodysuit or a light cotton outfit.
- Choose breathable fabrics like cotton and muslin.
- Loose fits let air move around their skin.
- Air-conditioned rooms may need a light long-sleeve layer. Check their neck or tummy to see how warm they are.
Cotton pieces are the easiest year-round. The Sprig zip romper is 95% cotton, footless and open at the ankle, which works well for cooler summer mornings and air-conditioned days. Keep the hood down indoors, in the car seat and for naps.
Sun safety
- Babies under 6 months should be kept out of direct sun as much as possible. Use shade, a canopy and a wide-brimmed hat.
- Sunscreen: for babies under 6 months, the AAP says a small amount of sunscreen on small areas like the face is OK if shade isn't available. For older babies, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen and reapply often.
- Avoid the hottest part of the day, usually late morning to mid-afternoon.
- Light, long sleeves and a sun hat protect skin without sunscreen.
Keep strollers and car seats cool
- Never cover a stroller with a blanket or cloth. It blocks airflow and can make the inside dangerously hot. Use the stroller's own canopy or a sunshade made for it.
- Check car seat buckles before buckling in. Metal can get very hot in the sun.
- Never leave a baby or child in a car, even for a minute, even with the windows open.
Feeding in hot weather
- Babies under 6 months usually get all the fluid they need from breast milk or formula. They may want to feed more often in the heat.
- For babies over 6 months, small sips of water can be offered alongside their usual milk. Check with your pediatrician.
- If you're breastfeeding outdoors and would like a cover, choose something light. Our gauze cotton nursing cover is thin, breathable cotton gauze with an open neckline so you can see your baby. Check on them often and keep fabric off their face.
Signs of overheating
- Sweaty neck or back, damp hair
- Flushed, hot skin
- Fussiness or unusual sleepiness
- Fewer wet diapers
Move your baby somewhere cool, remove a layer and offer a feed. Call your pediatrician if they seem unwell, feverish or very drowsy.
Sleep in warm weather
Dress your baby lightly for sleep, keep the room cool and use a lightweight sleep sack or just a bodysuit on very hot nights. Keep the crib bare, and never use blankets to shade a crib or bassinet.
Questions parents ask
What should a baby wear in 80-degree weather?
Usually a single light layer, like a short-sleeve bodysuit, plus a sun hat outdoors.
Can I cover my baby's stroller from the sun?
Not with a blanket. Use the stroller canopy or a sunshade designed for it, so air can flow.
How do I know if my baby is too hot?
Feel the back of their neck. If it's sweaty or hot, remove a layer and move somewhere cooler.
For cold months, see winter newborn essentials.
