Quick answer: What a baby should wear outside depends on the temperature, the wind and the sun. In the cold, the AAP suggests one more layer than an adult for older babies; in the heat, use light, loose clothing and shade. The Canadian Paediatric Society suggests shorter outings at −15°C (5°F) and staying in at −27°C (−16°F) or colder, wind chill included.
Babies can't tell you when they're cold or too warm, so the answer changes with the season. This guide covers each temperature range, then wind chill, sun, rain, strollers and carriers.
This guide is general information for parents of babies from birth to about 24 months, based on the public health sources listed at the end. It isn't medical advice. If your baby was born early, has a health condition or seems unwell, ask your doctor or nurse how to dress them for outdoor time.
What Should a Baby Wear Outside at Each Temperature?
Start from the actual "feels like" temperature, then adjust for wind, sun and how long you'll be out. The table below is a general guide we put together from the Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS), Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Only the cold-weather cut-offs marked with a source are official numbers; the clothing suggestions are starting points, not rules.
| Temperature (feels like) | What a baby might wear outside | Extra notes |
|---|---|---|
| 24°C (75°F) and warmer | One light, loose, breathable layer; a sun hat with a brim | Shade comes first. The AAP says to keep babies under 6 months out of direct sunlight. |
| 18 to 23°C (64 to 73°F) | A light one-piece or top and pants; a thin layer handy for shade or a breeze | Health Canada says sun protection is needed once the UV Index reaches 3. |
| 10 to 17°C (50 to 63°F) | A base layer plus a sweater or light jacket; socks; a light hat if it's breezy | A good range for testing the "one more layer than you" rule from the AAP. |
| 0 to 9°C (32 to 48°F) | Base layer, warm middle layer and a jacket or mid-season suit; a hat that covers the ears; mittens | Wet or windy days can feel much colder than the thermometer says. |
| −1 to −14°C (30 to 7°F) | Base layer, warm middle layer and a snowsuit or stroller bunting bag; a warm hat over the ears, mittens, warm socks and booties or boots | The CPS advises covering as much skin as possible in cold temperatures. |
| −15 to −26°C (5 to −15°F) | Full winter layers with only the face showing; a neck warmer instead of a scarf | The CPS suggests reducing time outside at −15°C or colder, with or without wind chill. |
| −27°C (−16°F) or colder, including wind chill | Stay indoors | The CPS says exposed skin begins to freeze at this point and suggests keeping children inside. |
How should you use the temperature chart?
Use it as a first guess, then check your baby. The AAP's rule of thumb is to dress older babies and young children in one more layer than an adult would wear in the same conditions. If you're comfortable in a T-shirt and a light jacket, your baby will probably want a top, a sweater and a jacket. After a few minutes outside, feel your baby's chest or the back of the neck (more on that below) and add or remove a layer.
Wind, time outside and movement all shift the answer: a baby lying still in a stroller for 45 minutes on a windy day needs more than a toddler running to the car.
How Does Wind Chill Change What a Baby Should Wear?
Wind chill tells you how cold it feels on exposed skin, and it's the number to dress for. Environment and Climate Change Canada uses the Wind Chill Index to describe how wind makes temperatures below zero feel colder, and it groups wind chill values into risk levels. At a wind chill of −28 to −39, ECCC says exposed skin can freeze in 10 to 30 minutes, and in 5 to 10 minutes at −40 to −47; in sustained winds over 50 km/h, frostbite can happen even faster.
For a baby, the CPS cut-off matters most: once the temperature or the wind chill is −27°C or lower, the CPS suggests keeping children indoors. Between −10 and −27, which ECCC rates as moderate risk, keep outings short and check your baby often. Look up the forecast's wind chill value before you dress your baby.
How Should You Layer a Baby for Cold Weather?
Use several thin layers rather than one thick one. The AAP says several thin layers help keep infants and children dry and warm, and the CPS recommends layers that are easy to put on and take off. A simple three-part system works for most cold days:
- Base layer: a close-fitting long-sleeve bodysuit, leggings or one-piece thermal underwear against the skin.
- Middle layer: a fleece, sweater or sweatshirt-weight one-piece that adds warmth.
- Outer layer: a snowsuit, jacket and snow pants, or a stroller bunting bag that blocks wind and snow.
If you want a base layer made for winter, Deux par Deux lists its One-Piece Thermal Underwear in Purple Gradient in thick brushed polyester jersey, with sizes that start at 6 months. More options are in baby girls' base layers and baby boys' base layers. For a deeper look at layering for older kids and changing weather, see our guide to layering kids' clothes for cold weather.
Does a baby need a hat, mittens and boots outside?
Yes, in cold weather. The CPS recommends a warm hat that covers the ears, because ears frostbite easily, and mittens instead of gloves, because fingers bunched together stay warmer. For babies who walk, the CPS suggests warm, waterproof boots with room for an extra pair of socks and wiggling toes.
Baby hats come in a few shapes. Deux par Deux lists its Baby Winter Sherpa Hat With Ear Flaps with a polar fleece inside, ear flaps and ties under the chin, in sizes from 3/6 months. Its Lined Dino Peruvian Knit Winter Hat has long side panels over the ears and a polar fleece lining, starting at size 6/12 months. Browse more in baby girls' winter accessories and baby boys' winter accessories. If you have a newborn, our article on whether a newborn needs a hat covers hats indoors, outside and for sleep.
What should a baby not wear outside in winter?
Skip anything that can catch, tangle or get wet and stay wet. The CPS advises parents of young children to:
- Remove drawstrings that could catch on play equipment and use snaps or hook-and-loop closures instead.
- Use a neck warmer instead of a scarf.
- Use mitten clips instead of a string to hold mittens.
- Take off wet clothing and boots right after outdoor play.
When Is It Too Cold to Take a Baby Outside?
The CPS suggests keeping children indoors when the temperature or wind chill is −27°C (−16°F) or lower, and cutting back time outside at −15°C (5°F) or colder. Those numbers apply to children in general, and babies need extra care. The CPS explains that babies need extra bundling because they can't generate body heat or tell you they're cold the way an older child can, and that babies and toddlers are more at risk of frostbite because they don't move as much.
Short, well-bundled outings on calmer cold days can still be fine; the CPS recommends checking often that children are warm and dry.
What are the signs of frostbite in a baby?
Frostbite usually shows up first on the cheeks, ears, nose, fingers and toes, according to the CPS. The skin first turns red and swollen; if it isn't warmed, it can look grey, and frozen skin looks shiny and white and has no feeling. The CPS says to get medical advice right away if a child's skin is white, waxy or numb. Rewarm the area gently with warm (not hot) water, and don't rub it.
What are the signs of hypothermia?
The AAP says hypothermia, a drop in body temperature below normal, can happen more quickly in children than in adults, often when clothes get wet or children are outside in extreme cold without proper clothing. A child may shiver and become sluggish and clumsy. If you think your baby has hypothermia, the AAP says to call 911 right away, bring them inside, remove wet clothing and wrap them in blankets or warm clothes until help arrives.
How Can You Tell if a Baby Is Too Hot or Too Cold?
Feel your baby's chest or the back of the neck. The Lullaby Trust, a UK baby health charity, recommends this check and notes that a baby's hands and feet are usually cooler, which is normal. If the skin on the chest or neck is hot or sweaty, remove a layer. If it feels cool, add one or head inside.
The CPS points out that a child dressed too warmly can sweat and then feel colder once they stop moving, so overdressing isn't a shortcut to keeping warm.
What Should a Baby Wear Outside in Hot Weather?
In hot weather, dress your baby in one light, loose layer and keep them in the shade. The AAP recommends cool, comfortable clothing that covers the body when possible, such as lightweight cotton pants, long-sleeved shirts and hats, and clothes with a tight weave.
What should a baby under 6 months wear in the sun?
Babies under 6 months should stay out of direct sunlight, according to the AAP. Look for shade under a tree, an umbrella or the stroller canopy, and dress them in light clothing that covers their arms and legs, plus a sun hat. Health Canada's sun tips for parents go further for babies under 1 year: keep them out of direct sun, never let them play or sleep in the sun, and never leave a child in a parked vehicle.
What should a baby 6 to 24 months wear in summer?
Older babies can spend more time outside with sun protection. The CPS recommends a sun hat with a wide brim and a back flap to cover the back of the neck, sunglasses with 100% UV protection and loose cotton clothing. The CPS also notes that regular clothing doesn't block the sun completely; only UV-rated clothing fully protects the skin under it, and sunscreen should go on any skin that regular clothing leaves exposed.
What are the signs a baby is overheating?
Watch for thirst, tiredness, cramps and cool, moist skin, which the CPS lists as signs of heat illness. The NHS adds excessive sweating, pale and clammy skin and irritability to the signs of heat exhaustion. If you notice them, move your baby to a cool, shady spot, take off extra clothing and cool them down slowly; the CPS suggests fanning and frequent small sips of fluid. Health Canada recommends offering babies plenty of cool liquids in hot weather, with breast milk or water as the preferred choices; ask your health care provider what fits your baby's age. The NHS lists a very high temperature, hot skin that isn't sweating, fast breathing and confusion as signs of heatstroke, which is a medical emergency. Call 911.
How Do You Protect a Baby From the Sun?
Use shade first, then clothing and a hat, then sunscreen where the guidance allows it for your baby's age. The AAP lists these steps:
- Keep babies under 6 months out of direct sunlight.
- Choose clothing that covers the body and has a tight weave, or clothing labeled with an Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF).
- Wear a hat with an all-around 3-inch brim to shade the face, ears and back of the neck.
- Limit sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when UV rays are strongest.
The CPS names 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. as peak hours and Health Canada 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Health Canada also says protection is needed when the UV Index is 3 or higher, and that sunburn can happen in as little as 15 minutes depending on the UV Index.
Can you put sunscreen on a baby under 6 months?
Ask your health care provider first. The advice differs between sources:
- Health Canada: ask a health care provider before using sunscreen on a baby under 6 months.
- CPS: sunscreen is not recommended for babies under 6 months, because they can rub it into their eyes and mouth.
- AAP: for babies under 6 months, sunscreen can be used on small areas such as the face if protective clothing and shade aren't available.
For babies older than 6 months, the CPS recommends sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher on exposed skin, applied 30 minutes before going outside and reapplied every 2 to 3 hours and after water play. The AAP says that if a baby under 1 year gets a sunburn, call the doctor right away.
Does a baby need sun protection in winter?
Yes. The AAP notes that UV rays can bounce off snow, water, sand and concrete, and that up to 80% of the sun's UV rays can pass through clouds. The CPS winter advice includes sunscreen on exposed skin even when it's cloudy; for babies under 6 months, follow the sunscreen guidance above and rely on shade and covering up.
What Should a Baby Wear Outside in Rain or Wind?
On rainy or windy days, add a waterproof or wind-blocking outer layer over normal clothes, and change anything that gets wet. Wet fabric pulls heat away from the body, and the AAP notes that hypothermia often happens when clothes get wet. The CPS advises removing wet clothing right after outdoor play.
For a crawler or new walker, a rain one-piece or splash pants can go over regular clothes:
- Deux par Deux lists its Baby Rain One Piece in Sage Green with welded seams, a 10,000 mm waterproof rating, a hood and stirrup straps, made to be worn over regular clothes in sizes 12 to 24 months.
- Its Lined Baby Splash Pants in Black are lined with polyester taffeta and list the same 10,000 mm rating, with elastic at the waist and ankles, in sizes 12 to 24 months.
See more in baby girls' rain suits and baby boys' rain suits. On cool spring and fall days, a fleece or sweater under the rain layer adds warmth; Deux par Deux lists its Baby Mid-Season Mittens with a 10,000 mm waterproof rating, a clip that holds the pair together and long elasticized cuffs, in size 12/24 months.
How Should You Dress a Baby in a Stroller, Carrier or Car?
How your baby travels changes what they need. A baby lying still in a stroller needs more insulation than a baby held against your body, and a car ride needs thin layers under the harness.
Stroller walks
A baby in a stroller isn't moving much, so dress them warmer than a busy toddler. In winter, a snowsuit or a stroller bunting bag (also called a footmuff) over warm layers, plus a hat and mittens, is the usual setup. Browse baby girls' snowsuits and baby boys' snowsuits for stroller options. Our bunting vs. snowsuit comparison explains when each one works better.
In summer, the AAP points to the stroller canopy as a source of shade for babies under 6 months, and the CPS suggests a stroller sunshade.
Baby carriers
In a carrier, your body adds warmth, so your baby may need one layer less than in a stroller, but legs, feet, hands and head still need covering. Keep your baby's face visible and uncovered, and check the back of the neck often.
Car rides
Take off the snowsuit or puffy coat before buckling your baby in. The AAP says bulky clothing, including winter coats and snowsuits, shouldn't be worn under a car seat harness, because the padding can flatten in a crash and leave the straps too loose. Dress your baby in thin layers, tighten the harness, then put a blanket or the coat over the buckled straps. Hats, mittens and socks or booties are fine. Our full guide on snowsuits and car seat harnesses walks through the pinch test step by step.
What Should You Do When You Come Back Inside?
Take off the outer layers and the hat within a few minutes of coming in. The Public Health Agency of Canada says babies don't need hats indoors, because a hat can make them too hot. The same applies to a snowsuit in a heated store or a warm car: open it up or take it off so your baby doesn't overheat. The AAP also recommends making the top layer easy to remove once the car warms up.
If your baby falls asleep on the way home, take off the outdoor gear before you lay them down. For winter bedtime outfits, see our guide to baby pajamas for cold weather.
What Should You Look for in Baby Outerwear?
Pick outerwear by temperature rating, coverage and how easily it goes on and off. A few features matter most for babies:
- Warmth rating: many winter brands list a temperature rating. For example, Deux par Deux lists its Baby Original One Piece Puffy Snowsuit in Purple Mini Flowers as rated to −30°C (−22°F), with fleece-lined mittens and booties that come off and a neckwarmer included, in sizes 6 months to 30 months/2T. Our explainer on snowsuit warmth ratings explains what those numbers mean.
- Easy on, easy off: a long front zipper makes it easier to open the suit indoors.
- Fit: follow the brand's size chart. Our snowsuit sizing guide covers when to size up.
- Warm feet: Deux par Deux lists its Baby Ski Socks in Light Blue in a knit blend with 10% merino wool, in size 18/24 months.
For a full look at snowsuit features by age, read our baby snowsuit buying guide, or browse one-piece snowsuits and kids' gloves and mittens.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should a baby wear outside at 0°C (32°F)?
At around 0°C, dress your baby in a base layer, a warm middle layer and a jacket or snowsuit, plus a hat that covers the ears and mittens. Wind or wet snow can make it feel much colder, so check your baby's chest or the back of the neck after a few minutes outside.
Can I take my baby for a walk when the wind chill is −20°C?
A short, well-bundled walk may be possible, but keep it brief. The CPS suggests reducing time outside at −15°C or colder and keeping children indoors at −27°C or lower, including wind chill. Cover as much skin as possible and check your baby often.
Is it normal for my baby's hands to feel cold outside?
Often, yes. The Lullaby Trust notes that a baby's hands and feet are usually cooler than the rest of the body. Feel the chest or the back of the neck instead. If those feel cool, add a layer or go inside; if they feel hot or sweaty, remove one.
Should a baby under 6 months be in direct sun?
No. The AAP and Health Canada both say to keep young babies out of direct sunlight. Use shade from a tree, umbrella or stroller canopy, light clothing that covers the arms and legs and a sun hat. Ask your health care provider before using sunscreen on a baby under 6 months.
What should a baby wear outside in summer?
In summer, a baby usually needs one light, loose layer and a sun hat with a brim. The AAP recommends lightweight clothing with a tight weave that covers the body when possible. Stay in the shade, avoid the strongest midday sun and watch for signs of overheating.
How should I dress my baby for a rainy day?
Dress your baby in their usual layers for the temperature, then add a waterproof outer layer, such as a rain one-piece or splash pants for a crawler or walker, or a rain cover on the stroller. Change any clothing that gets wet, since wet clothes make babies colder.
Should my baby keep a winter hat on indoors?
No. The Public Health Agency of Canada says babies don't need hats indoors, because a hat can make them too hot. Take off the hat and open or remove the snowsuit soon after you come inside.
Sources
- Canadian Paediatric Society, Caring for Kids: Winter safety: Advice for parents and kids (last updated February 2023)
- Canadian Paediatric Society, Caring for Kids: Frostbite (last updated February 2023)
- Canadian Paediatric Society, Caring for Kids: Sun safety (last updated August 2021)
- Environment and Climate Change Canada: Wind chill and the Wind Chill Index (modified December 2025)
- American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org: Cold Weather Safety for Children: Preventing Frostbite & Hypothermia
- American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org: Winter Car Seat Safety Tips (updated February 2025)
- American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org: Sun Safety: Information for Parents About Sunburn & Sunscreen (updated August 2024)
- Health Canada: Sun safety tips for parents (modified January 2022)
- Public Health Agency of Canada: Dressing your baby for sleep (modified April 2025)
- The Lullaby Trust: Your baby's room temperature
- NHS: Heat exhaustion and heatstroke (reviewed May 2026)
