What should a newborn wear in the summer? A guide for both indoors and outdoors

Newborns often need less clothing in summer than many parents think. On warm days, a short-sleeved bodysuit or just a diaper is often sufficient, while cooler mornings and evenings may require an extra light layer.

The most important thing is not just the temperature, but how the baby feels at the neck or back. The baby should be comfortably warm – not hot, damp, or sweaty.

How do you dress a newborn in summer?

Choose light, loose-fitting, and breathable clothing. Cotton is a practical choice because the material feels soft against the skin and lets heat escape more easily than very dense fabrics.

As a general rule, you can choose:

• Short-sleeved bodysuit on warm days

• Long-sleeved bodysuit and light pants in mild weather

• An extra thin layer for cool mornings and evenings

• Sun hat outdoors when the baby’s head is not covered by a canopy

Infants do not regulate their temperature as effectively as older children and adults. They can therefore get cold or overheated more quickly.

Recommended clothing by temperature

The table can be used as a starting point, but the baby’s temperature should always be checked individually.

Sun, wind, humidity, and the baby’s position in the stroller also affect how warm the baby gets. Therefore, do not use the table as a strict rule.

How do you tell if the baby is too warm?

Feel the baby’s neck, back, or chest. The skin should feel warm and dry.

Signs that the baby may be too warm include:

• Damp or sweaty neck

• Warm back or chest

• Very red cheeks

• Damp hair

• Restlessness or unusual lethargy

• Faster breathing than normal

Cold hands and feet do not necessarily mean the baby is cold. It is therefore better to feel the neck or body.

Remove a layer of clothing if the baby feels warm or damp. If the baby seems lethargic, difficult to engage with, or has breathing problems, seek medical help.

What should a newborn wear indoors during the summer?

On a typical summer day, a short-sleeved bodysuit is often enough indoors. If the home becomes very warm, the baby can manage with just a diaper for shorter periods.

If air conditioning or a fan is used, the cold air must not blow directly on the baby. Also check the temperature where the baby is actually lying, as it may be different from the rest of the room.

Choose clothes that are easy to take off and put on. This way, the clothing can quickly be adjusted as the temperature changes throughout the day.

What should the baby sleep in during summer?

For sleep, the baby should wear light clothing suitable for the bedroom temperature. On hot nights, a short-sleeved bodysuit, a thin pajama, or a light baby sleeping bag may be sufficient.

If it is very hot, just a diaper or a short-sleeved bodysuit may be enough.

Avoid combining a warm sleeping bag with many layers of clothing. Check the child's neck or back after the child has slept for a while, and remove a layer if the skin feels warm or moist.

Can the baby sleep with a duvet in the summer?

On hot nights, a duvet, clothes, and a thick sleeping bag together can become too warm. If you use a baby sleeping bag, you usually should not also put a duvet over the child.

Choose one light solution that fits the room temperature, and make sure the child's face and head are not covered during sleep.

Also read our guide on which sleeping bag temperature to choose for your child and what the baby should wear in a sleeping bag.

What should the baby wear in the stroller during summer?

In the stroller, the temperature can become significantly higher than outside, especially if the stroller is in the sun or ventilation is limited.

On hot days, the baby can typically wear a short-sleeved bodysuit or light summer clothes. A thin baby sleeping bag or a light swaddle can be used if the temperature and product recommendations are suitable.

Check the child often, and always place the stroller in the shade. Sundhed.dk recommends not hanging heavy fabric or using plastic covers in front of the stroller, as it can get very hot inside. Instead, use a canopy, parasol, or another solution that still allows good air circulation. Read the advice on Sundhed.dk.

Should a newborn wear a hat in the summer?

A newborn usually does not need a hat indoors in warm summer weather.

Outdoors, a light sun hat can protect the head and face, but the child should still stay in the shade. A thick hat can retain too much heat and should therefore be avoided on hot days.

Take off the sun hat when the child is protected in the stroller if the child becomes warm.

How to protect baby from the sun

Small babies should be kept out of direct sun. Place the baby in the shade and use light clothing that covers the skin when necessary.

Remember especially:

• Avoid direct sun at midday

• Keep the stroller in the shade

• Ensure free air circulation

• Use a light sun hat outdoors

• Check neck and back regularly

• Never leave baby in a parked car

A parked car can quickly become dangerously hot – even when the outside temperature doesn’t feel extreme.

Choose light layers that can be easily removed

Danish summer weather can change quickly. Therefore, several thin layers are more practical than one thick layer.

Start with a light bodysuit, and bring a thin sweater or a light blanket for cooler periods. When the temperature rises, the extra layer can quickly be removed.

At Lilla Villa you will find light baby wraps and baby sleeping bags for summer, which can be used as part of the child’s summer clothing. Always follow the product’s temperature guide and adjust clothing according to the baby and surroundings.

Frequently asked questions

What should a newborn wear at 20 degrees?

At about 20°C, a long-sleeved bodysuit or a short-sleeved bodysuit with light pants may be appropriate. Feel the baby’s neck and add or remove a layer as needed.

What should baby wear at 25 degrees?

A short-sleeved bodysuit is often enough. If the baby is in a warm stroller or a room without good ventilation, just a diaper may be sufficient.

What should a newborn wear at 30 degrees?

At around 30°C, the child should wear as little clothing as possible, for example just a diaper or a very light bodysuit. Keep the baby in the shade and check often.

Can baby sleep in just a diaper?

Yes, on very hot nights baby can sleep in just a diaper if the room temperature makes additional clothing unnecessary. Check the baby’s neck or back regularly.

How do I know if baby is cold?

Feel the neck, back, or chest. If the body feels cool, you can add a light layer. Hands and feet can feel cool without the baby being cold.

Can baby use a sleeping bag in summer?

Yes, if the sleeping bag is light and suitable for the current temperature. Avoid too many layers under the bag, and regularly check that the baby is not too warm.

Also read

Want to learn more about baby sleep, temperature, and clothing? Read our other guides:

• Summer sleeping bag for baby: guide to warm nights and 25–35°C

• Which sleeping bag temperature should you choose for your child?

• What should baby wear in a sleeping bag? Guide to temperature and layers

• Sleeping bag vs duvet for baby – which is best?