What should my baby wear at 15–18°C (59–64°F)?

What to dress your baby in at 15–18°C

This is jumper weather: a typical spring or September day, or a cool summer morning. If you are comfortable in a long-sleeved top and a light jacket, the NHS rule of one extra layer gives your baby a vest, a sleepsuit and a cardigan or light jacket.

The tricky part at 15–18°C is how fast it changes. Sun on a sheltered bench can feel like 22°C, and a breezy park in the shade can feel like 12°C. Dress for the shade and the wind, then take the cardigan off in the sunshine, rather than starting light and running out of layers.

At 17°C, start with a vest, a sleepsuit and a cardigan or light jacket.

• Long-sleeved cotton vest
• Sleepsuit, or top and leggings
• Cardigan, jumper or light jacket
• Socks, and a thin hat if it is breezy

How to check your baby is not too hot or cold at 15–18°C

Feel the back of your baby's neck, their chest or their tummy. Warm and dry means they are dressed right. Sweaty or hot means take off a layer of clothing or bedding. Cool hands and feet on their own are normal, so do not add layers just because fingers or toes feel cold.

Check after you have been walking for a while and again after you stop. A baby who was warm in the sun can cool down quickly in the shade, and a baby in a sheltered pram can get warmer than you expect. If the neck is damp, take off the cardigan first, as it is the easiest layer to remove.

Pram, carrier and car seat at 15–18°C

In the pram, a vest, sleepsuit and cardigan is usually enough, with a lightweight cellular blanket over their legs that you can fold back. A heavy pramsuit tends to be too warm at 17 or 18°C unless it is windy.

In a carrier, your body warmth means a vest and sleepsuit is often enough, with a cardigan for breezy days.

In the car seat, buckle your baby in their vest, sleepsuit and a thin cardigan. Take a padded jacket off before you strap them in, as the AAP advises, and lay it over the straps if the car is cold. Socks and a thin hat keep them cosy without getting in the way of the harness.

Hats and sun at 15–18°C

A thin cotton hat helps on a breezy day, but most babies do not need a woolly hat at this temperature. Take it off once you are indoors.

Do not let the cool air fool you about the sun. UV is fiercest from 11am to 3pm, and the NHS advises keeping babies younger than 6 months out of direct sun altogether. On a bright spring day, use the pram hood or a clip-on parasol and swap the thin hat for a wide-brimmed sun hat.

Newborns and premature babies at 15–18°C

A newborn finds it harder than an older baby to hold a steady body temperature (NHS), so they may need the full vest, sleepsuit and cardigan where an older, wriggly baby is happy without the cardigan. Check them more often in the first weeks.

If your baby was born prematurely or had a low birthweight, ask your health visitor or neonatal team how many layers to use while they are small.

This is general dressing guidance, not medical advice. If you are worried your baby is unwell, call NHS 111 or your GP. In an emergency, call 999 or your local emergency number.