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Babies in cold weather

Babies can’t talk, so they can’t tell you whether they’re feeling hot or cold. Being aware of how much clothing and the type of clothing your baby needs to keep comfortably warm in cold weather can help keep your baby happy.

In cold weather, it’s a good idea to dress your baby in layers — you can then easily take the layers off when you’re indoors and in warm places.

You want your baby to feel comfortably warm — not hot or cold.

While it’s important to keep babies warm, it’s equally important that your baby doesn’t overheat. Overheating has been linked with sudden unexpected infant death syndrome, including SIDS.

How do I tell if my baby is cold?

Babies communicate by crying. If your baby is crying more than usual during winter, it could be their way of telling you they are not comfortable. But remember, crying can also be a sign of being hungry, tired or wanting comfort.

A good way to check whether your baby is too cold is to feel their chest, back or tummy. They should feel warm. Don’t worry if their hands and feet feel cool, this is normal.

What about extreme cold?

Hypothermia is when the body’s temperature falls below 35°C. Hypothermia is a medical emergency — if the body temperature falls below 32°C it can be life-threatening.

The signs of hypothermia are:

• shivering (which can stop as hypothermia becomes more severe)
• cool, pale skin
• breathing slowly
• slow heart rate
• dilated pupils
• coma

Babies are at greater risk than adults of developing hypothermia if they get very cold, because their bodies are so small. They can also get very cold much more quickly than adults because they have less muscle.

In extremely cold conditions, it’s very important to limit your baby’s exposure to the cold.

If you think your baby may have hypothermia, call an ambulance on triple zero (000). While you’re waiting, move them out of the cold and try to warm up the centre of their body (chest, neck, head and groin) with warm blankets or towels. Make sure you don’t expose them to direct heat.

Taking baby out in cold weather

Before you go out, make sure it’s not going to be too cold. Listen to the weather forecast and plan ahead so you can find somewhere warm if it’s going to be very cold.

Make sure you and your baby stay dry, and don’t stay outside for too long.

Dress your baby appropriately for the weather and take enough blankets and changes of clothes with you.

Dressing your baby for outdoors

If you’re outdoors in cold weather, hats, bonnets, socks, booties, bunny rugs and wraps can all be used to keep babies pleasantly warm.

As a general guide, dress your baby in the same number of layers you’re wearing, plus an extra layer.

If it’s a particularly cold winter’s day, your baby may need to wear some gloves. But remember to remove these extra layers as soon as you come indoors or enter a warm car, bus or train, even if it means waking your baby. You don’t want your baby to overheat.

Guide to dressing your baby in cold weather

Learn how best to keep your baby warm in winter.

Dressing your baby for bedtime

Place your baby on their back in the cot and make sure their face and head remain uncovered during sleep.

Think about the temperature of the room in which your baby sleeps. Dress your baby in enough clothes to keep them warm without blankets, which can be kicked off.

You can use a safe infant sleeping bag, as this can prevent bedclothes from covering your baby’s face. It can also help prevent them from rolling onto their tummy while they sleep. It’s very important to ensure that your baby cannot slip down into the bag and become completely covered. It’s best to have a sleeping bag with a fitted neck and armholes, but no hood.

If they need extra warmth, you can add layers of clothing within the sleeping bag, but take into account the temperature of the room. Babies shouldn’t wear hats or beanies in bed.

If you’re using blankets instead of a sleeping bag for your baby, use layers of lightweight blankets. They can be easily added or removed, depending on the room temperature, and can be tucked underneath the mattress.

Also, make sure your baby doesn’t sleep near a heater or fireplace, or in direct sunlight, and make sure the room is not too warm. Never use electric blankets, wheat bags or hot water bottles for babies.

Do babies sleep more in winter?

There is some evidence from overseas that very young babies fall asleep earlier in the evening and sleep for longer during the winter. This may be due to changes in the amount of light present.

Read more on safe sleep for babies.