Dressing a newborn – the first weeks
Freshly born, temperature regulation is still a work in progress: newborns get too cold and too warm faster than older children. Hence the simple guideline for the first weeks: one thin layer more than you would wear yourself in the same room.
In short: bodysuit + romper are the basics. One layer more than you, no hat indoors, and always feel the neck – warm & dry is perfect.
The basics for indoors
- 20–22 °C room: long-sleeve bodysuit + romper + socks.
- warm, above 24 °C: short-sleeve bodysuit, thin trousers if needed, barefoot or thin socks.
- cooler, below 20 °C: long-sleeve bodysuit + romper + light sweater.
The clothing essentials
You don't need a huge wardrobe. Tried and tested: bodysuits with short and long sleeves, rompers, a few thin cardigans, socks and little hats, a sleep sack in the right size – and for outdoors, depending on the season, a boiled-wool suit for cold days or a light sun hat for warm ones. Buy little in the newborn sizes 50 and 56 – babies grow at breakneck speed.
The neck check
Hands and feet are almost always cooler in newborns – that's normal and not a sign of being cold. Feel the back of the neck or the upper back instead: warm and dry means everything's fine. Sweaty means one layer off, cool means one layer more.
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Frequently asked questions
How many layers does a newborn need?
One thin layer more than an adult in the same room. Check the neck.
Hat indoors?
No, not in heated rooms – risk of overheating. Never in bed. Outdoors in the cold, yes.
What belongs in the essentials?
Bodysuits, rompers, cardigans, socks, little hats, sleep sack, and depending on the season boiled wool or a sun hat.
More dressing guides
General guidance, not medical advice. When in doubt, ask your paediatrician or midwife.
Never wonder again what your baby should wear
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Sources: Safe sleep and TOG values: The Lullaby Trust, the UK safer-sleep charity; room temperature in the UK: NHS; clothing layers and room temperature in the US: American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and NICHD Safe to Sleep; clothing in the car seat: ADAC, German automobile club, child seat guidance; overheating and the neck check: German Professional Association of Pediatricians (BVKJ).