What should my baby wear at 19–21°C (66–70°F)?

What to dress your baby in at 19–21°C

19–21°C is a mild day: warm in the sun, a little cool in the shade or a breeze. Many adults are in a T-shirt with a light layer. Following the NHS rule of one more layer than you, that means a cotton vest under a light sleepsuit, or a vest with a light top and trousers.

The key at 19–21°C is breathable cotton. Fleece sleepsuits, knitted cardigans and pramsuits trap heat at this temperature. Keep a thin cardigan in the bag for a shady café or the walk home, and put it on only if the back of your baby's neck feels cool.

At 20°C, a cotton vest under a light sleepsuit, with a thin cardigan to hand, is usually right.

• Cotton vest (short or long-sleeved)
• Light cotton sleepsuit, or a top and trousers
• Thin cardigan in the bag for shade or wind
• Sun hat if it is sunny

How to check your baby is not too hot or cold at 19–21°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.

At 19–21°C, babies are more likely to get too warm than too cold, especially under a pram hood or in a carrier. Check the back of their neck when you first stop. If it is sweaty, take off the cardigan or change to a short-sleeved vest.

Pram, carrier and car seat at 19–21°C

In the pram, a vest and light sleepsuit is enough, usually with no blanket. For shade, clip a parasol or sunshade to the pram. The NHS warns never to cover the pram with a muslin or blanket, because your baby can overheat.

In a carrier, you are a layer. A short or long-sleeved vest and light trousers is often plenty, with a sun hat if you are out in sunshine.

In the car seat, a vest and light sleepsuit is fine. Cars heat up in the sun even on a mild day, so open the windows or use the air conditioning, and never leave your baby in a parked car, which heats up fast (NHS).

Sun hats and shade at 19–21°C

A 20°C day in late spring or summer can bring strong sunshine. The NHS advises no direct sun at all for babies younger than 6 months, and as little sun as you can manage for older babies, above all from 11am to 3pm.

Choose a sun hat with a broad brim or a neck flap, so the head, ears and neck are shaded. From 6 months, use a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher that protects against UVA and UVB on skin that clothes do not cover. The NHS does not recommend sunscreen for babies under 6 months, so shade and clothing come first.

Newborns at 19–21°C

Newborns struggle more than older babies to keep their body temperature steady (NHS), so in a shady spot they may want the cardigan over the vest and sleepsuit, while an older baby is happier in a vest and light trousers.

If your baby falls asleep in the pram and you bring them indoors, take off any hat and extra layers straight away, as the NHS advises, even if that wakes them.

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.