Baby's Layette

Baby's First Months: Surviving the Seasons

By Lisa A. Flam

In a perfect world, Mother Nature would be in a cooperative spirit on the day your baby is born, not a cloud in the sky nor a chill in the air. But babies are born every day of the year, through heat waves and cold snaps, during rain showers and snowstorms. There's not much you can do about the weather, but you can be prepared. Simple adjustments to the basic layette will have your baby ready for any climate.

For areas where winters are cold, you will need warmer clothing for babies born as early as September or October. That means buying long sleeve stretchies and pajamas with built-in feet as well as long sleeve undershirts and onesies. You'll also need several heavier weight cotton sweaters or sweatshirts for when the temperature begins to dip. When heading outdoors, your baby will need at least one bunting or snowsuit to keep toasty warm. And don't forget mittens and a cotton hat that snugly covers baby's ears. A must for cold-weather outings is a wool or polar fleece carriage blanket for an extra layer of warmth. For bedtime, snuggle your baby inside a fuzzy blanket sleeper to keep her warm at night, especially if she likes to kick off her blankets. Two to three should get you through the cold months. Winter babies generally need more clothing because they always need to be clothed and kept warm. But for warm-weather babies, you can usually get by with fewer items. Take socks for example: six to eight pairs are suggested for babies born during cold weather, just two to three pairs for children who arrive in the warm season.

As winter turns to spring, babies start wearing short sleeves, and may only need one sweater or sweatshirt for cool evenings or air-conditioned rooms.

Blankets for the crib and carriage should be light weight cotton, and you need fewer than for a winter baby. For extreme heat, sleeveless sunsuits with a matching sun bonnet or hat will keep your baby cool during the summer months. A bathing suit is a must for your child's first trip to the pool or ocean. A plastic rain cover for the carriage will keep your baby dry if you're heading out during the April showers. And when it gets buggy on those warm summer nights, cover the carriage with netting to keep the mosquitoes out.

Your baby will need about the same amount of sleepwear and playwear no matter the season. But make sure she has what she needs when facing the elements. "The indoor items don't change by season," says Madeline Wein, president of Ben's For Kids in New York City. "The only thing that varies is what you use outdoors."

Want to see more?

• Baby's First Months: Surviving the Seasons
• Your Baby's Layette
• Tips for Buying a Layette