What should a 12-month-old wear?

What changes at 12 months

Around their first birthday, many babies are cruising or taking first steps. They switch between running about and sitting still in a buggy, so how warm they are changes through the day. Layers you can take off quickly still work best.

Drinks change too. From 12 months, the NHS says water and breast milk or whole cows' milk should be their main drinks, which matters on hot days. If your baby was born prematurely, the NHS advises following safer sleep advice until a year from their due date, which may be after their first birthday.

What should a 12-month-old wear outside?

Use the outdoor temperature, then adjust for how active they are. As a guide:

• 10–14°C (50–57°F): vest, sleepsuit, warm cardigan, pramsuit, hat and mittens
• 15–18°C (59–64°F): vest, sleepsuit and a cardigan or light jacket
• 19–21°C (66–70°F): vest and light sleepsuit, thin cardigan to hand
• 22–23°C (72–73°F): short-sleeved vest and light trousers or a romper, sun hat
• 24–26°C (75–79°F): single layer of lightweight cotton, wide-brimmed hat, shade
• 27–30°C (81–86°F): one thin cotton vest or romper, wide-brimmed hat, full shade

What should a 12-month-old wear to sleep?

For sleep, the NHS ideal room temperature of about 16–20°C still applies. A sleeping bag stays on all night, however much a toddler moves. As a guide:

• under 16°C (under 61°F): a vest plus a long-sleeved sleepsuit under a warm (2.5 to 3.5 TOG) sleeping bag
• 16–19°C (61–66°F): a long-sleeved cotton sleepsuit under a 2.5 TOG sleeping bag
• 20–23°C (68–73°F): a cotton sleepsuit (or long-sleeved vest) under a 1.0 TOG sleeping bag
• 24–26°C (75–79°F): a short-sleeved cotton vest under a 0.5 TOG sleeping bag
• 27°C+ (81°F+): a short-sleeved cotton vest, alone or under a 0.2 TOG sleeping bag

How to check your 12-month-old is not too hot or cold

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.

Toddlers are often sweaty after play and cool after a buggy ride. Check the back of the neck or tummy at each change of activity. Cool hands are still normal and are not a reason to add a coat.

Sun, cold and car seats at 12 months

In summer, keep your child in the shade wherever you can from 11am to 3pm, and use a wide-brimmed hat, light clothes and SPF 30+ sunscreen on uncovered skin, reapplied every 2 hours (NHS).

In winter, the AAP suggests several thin layers, plus a hat, mittens and insulated boots once they are walking outside, and changing wet clothes straight away. In the car, no puffy coats or snowsuits under the harness: buckle up in thin layers and put the coat over the top.

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.