What Should Baby Wear Outside at 2–9°C (36–48°F)?

Outside at 2–9°C (36–48°F): Cold — full outer layer and a hat. Degree by degree, by age, and in wind, rain or a car seat.

In the cold, the jacket comes on: below 10°C a baby lying still in a pram gets the outer layer a parent would wear, over a warm sweater. A hat is on throughout, and mittens join below 6°C.

For a baby of 6–12 months on a still, dry day:

6–9°C (43–48°F): long-sleeve bodysuit, warm pants, warm socks, warm sweater, jacket and warm hat. Cold — full outer layer and a hat. 2–5°C (36–41°F): long-sleeve bodysuit, warm pants, warm socks, warm sweater, jacket, warm hat and mittens. Cold — full outer layer and a hat.

"One layer more than you" is the rule the NHS and the AAP both give. A parent in this weather usually wears a coat over a jumper, so a baby who isn't moving wants the same three layers at least.

No coat or snowsuit under car seat straps. In the car seat the app puts a blanket over the buckled straps where the jacket would be.

Each piece comes on at its own temperature, a degree or two apart, so the outfit changes one piece at a time.

One light layer from 20°C, covered arms below.

Pants below 25°C (toddlers keep shorts to 21°C), lined ones below 13°C.

Socks below 24°C, warm ones below 12°C.

A sweater below 19°C, a warm one below 14°C.

Below 10°C: one layer more than you'd wear.

A warm hat outdoors below 15°C.

Mittens below 6°C, warm ones below 1°C.

0–3 months, 5°C: long-sleeve bodysuit, warm pants, warm socks, warm sweater, jacket, warm hat and mittens. 3–6 months, 5°C: long-sleeve bodysuit, warm pants, warm socks, warm sweater, jacket, warm hat and mittens. 6–12 months, 5°C: long-sleeve bodysuit, warm pants, warm socks, warm sweater, jacket, warm hat and mittens. 1–3 years, 5°C: long-sleeve bodysuit, warm pants, warm socks, warm sweater, jacket and warm hat.

Still and dry: Cold — full outer layer and a hat. Windy (feels like 2°C (36°F)): No change Raining (feels like 4°C (39°F)): No change Sunny (feels like 7°C (45°F)): Drops mittens In a carrier (your warmth counts on the body): Jacket becomes blanket over the carrier In a car seat (no coat under the straps): Jacket becomes blanket over the straps

Indoors, or in a warm car, bus or train, take the hat and outer layers off.

Check the neck — warm but not sweaty means just right.

Sources

Outside, by the weather