What should my baby wear at 22–23°C (72–73°F)?
4 min read
Quick answer
At 22–23°C (72–73°F), dress your baby in a short-sleeved cotton vest with light trousers, or a romper on its own. Add a wide-brimmed sun hat and keep them in the shade. Carry a thin long-sleeved top for sun cover, and skip blankets, cardigans and pramsuits.
- Short-sleeved vest and light trousers, or a romper
- Wide-brimmed sun hat and shade
- Thin long-sleeved cotton top for sun cover
- Parasol on the pram, never a blanket over it
What to dress your baby in at 22–23°C
22–23°C is a warm day, the kind where adults are in a T-shirt and no jacket. Your baby needs to be comfortable, not bundled: a short-sleeved cotton vest with light trousers, or a cotton romper, is usually right.
At this temperature the extra layer is about the sun rather than warmth. The AAP suggests lightweight cotton trousers and long sleeves when shade is short, and close-weave fabric blocks more sun than a loose weave. A thin long-sleeved top covers skin without adding much heat.
At 23°C, a short-sleeved vest with light cotton trousers or a romper, plus a sun hat, is usually right.
- Short-sleeved cotton vest
- Light cotton trousers, or a romper instead of both
- Thin long-sleeved cotton top in the bag for sun or breeze
- Wide-brimmed sun hat
How to check your baby is not too hot or cold at 22–23°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 22–23°C, check the back of the neck more often than you would on a cooler day, and every time your baby wakes in the pram or carrier. Sweaty hair or a damp neck means take something off, such as the trousers or the vest under a romper.
Pram, carrier and car seat at 22–23°C
In the pram, a romper or a short-sleeved vest and trousers is plenty, with no blanket. Use the hood and a clip-on parasol or sunshade. Do not drape a muslin or blanket over the pram: the NHS warns it can make your baby overheat.
In a carrier, your baby is pressed against your warm body, so a short-sleeved vest or romper is usually enough. Shade their head with a sun hat, and take a break in the shade if their neck feels damp.
In the car seat, a single light layer is fine. The car warms up quickly at this temperature, so cool it first, use window shades, and never leave your baby in a parked car, even for a short time (NHS).
Sun, shade and hats at 22–23°C
Under 6 months, NHS advice is no direct sun at all. Older babies should spend as little time in the sun as you can manage, especially from 11am to 3pm, when it is at its most intense.
Pick a sun hat with a broad brim or a flap that shades the neck. From 6 months, use sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and UVA protection on uncovered skin, and reapply every 2 hours and after sweating. Under 6 months, the NHS does not recommend sunscreen, so rely on shade and clothing.
Feeds and drinks on warm days
On warm days, breastfed babies may want to feed more often than usual, and fully breastfed babies do not need water until they start solid foods (NHS). Formula-fed babies can have a little cooled boiled water as well as their usual milk feeds.
From around 6 months, offer sips of water from a cup with meals, plus extra between meals if it is hot.
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.
Sources
We check this guide against these sources. It is general information, not medical advice: speak to your health visitor, GP or paediatrician about your own baby.
Questions parents ask
Can my baby wear just a vest at 23°C?
Yes, a short-sleeved cotton vest on its own is fine for many babies at 23°C, especially in the shade or in a carrier. In direct sun, add light trousers or a thin long-sleeved top to cover skin, plus a wide-brimmed hat. Check the back of the neck to see if they are comfortable.
Is a romper enough at 22°C?
A cotton romper on its own is usually enough at 22°C. If it is breezy or you are in the shade for a long time, a thin cardigan or long-sleeved top over it works well. Avoid fleece or knitted layers, which hold heat at this temperature.
Should I cover the pram to keep the sun off at 22–23°C?
Use the pram hood plus a clip-on parasol or sunshade instead. The NHS advises against covering the pram with a muslin or blanket, because your baby can overheat underneath it. Park the pram in the shade when you stop, and check on your baby regularly.
Does my baby need socks at 22°C?
Usually not. Bare feet are fine at 22°C, and cool feet are normal in babies. In the sun, light socks or trousers with feet protect the skin, or you can keep their feet in the shade of the pram hood.