Baby Clothing by Room Temperature: How to Dress Your Baby Indoors
Dressing your baby at home is mostly about one thing: the room temperature. Unlike stroller outings or babywearing, indoor environments are protected from wind, rain and direct sun. That means your baby usually needs fewer layers, but the right ones.
This guide shows you how to dress your baby indoors based on room temperature and air conditioning, using the same logic as the Baby Outfit Calculator. You'll find temperature-based examples for babies from 0–12 months, plus practical tips for AC, materials and comfort checks.
Room temperature can be very different from the weather outside because of insulation, heating, cooling and sunlight. A simple room thermometer is the most reliable way to know how warm or cool it really is where your baby spends time.
Use the Baby Outfit Calculator to get a tailored clothing suggestion based on your current room temperature. Choose the activity “At home” for an accurate indoor recommendation.
Open the Baby Outfit CalculatorSimple Rules for Dressing Your Baby Indoors
A few basic rules cover most situations at home:
- Use the room temperature as your guide. Indoor outfits should match how warm or cool the room feels, not the weather outside.
- Always base this on an actual room thermometer. Buildings heat and cool differently, so do not assume indoor temperatures match the forecast.
- Think in light, flexible layers. A bodysuit plus pants and an optional light sweater are easier to adjust than one very warm item.
- No hats needed indoors. Babies regulate their temperature by releasing heat through their heads, so indoor hats can cause overheating. Remove hats as soon as you come inside.
- Choose breathable fabrics. Soft cotton or lightweight merino help regulate temperature and prevent sweating.
- Check your baby at the neck or upper back. Warm and dry is comfortable, hot and sweaty is too warm, cool and pale may mean too cold.
Best Clothing and Fabrics for At-Home Outfits
Indoors, comfort and breathability matter more than heavy insulation. Your baby should be able to move freely, play and be picked up without clothing bunching or rubbing.
Base layers
- Cotton bodysuits (short- or long-sleeve): Soft, breathable and easy to layer.
- Soft pants or leggings: Gentle on the waist and legs, without tight cuffs or scratchy seams.
Extra warmth layers
- Light sweaters or cardigans: Ideal for cooler rooms; easy to put on or take off.
- Thicker socks: Helpful in cool rooms, especially for newborns who lose heat more quickly.
- Light blankets: For very cool rooms or quiet cuddle time; remove them when your baby is active or sleeping unsupervised.
What to avoid indoors
- Bulky fleece suits or thick knitwear: Too warm and hard to adjust in small temperature changes.
- Multiple heavy layers: Increase the risk of overheating and make movement uncomfortable.
- Synthetic fabrics that don't breathe well: Can trap heat and moisture against the skin.
Baby Clothing by Room Temperature (Complete Indoor Guide)
The table below gives examples for babies aged 0–12 months. Newborns (0–3 months) are still learning to regulate their body temperature and lose heat more quickly than older babies, so they may need slightly warmer versions of the same layered outfit — for example, thicker socks or choosing a warmer fabric (like a soft knit top instead of a thin cotton long-sleeve).
Use this as a starting point and adjust based on your baby's comfort and your own sense of the room. Most health organisations recommend keeping baby rooms on the cooler side, often around 18–22°C (64–72°F), and avoiding very hot indoor environments.
| Room temperature | Suggested baby outfit (0–12 months) |
|---|---|
| 15°C or less (60°F or less) |
• Diaper • Long-sleeve bodysuit • Pants • Cardigan or warm sweater • Thick socks • Optional light blanket when resting or being held Newborn note (0–3 months): Consider keeping a light blanket over the legs or body during quiet time, and check the back of the neck if you are unsure whether your baby is too warm or too cool. |
| 16–17°C (61–63°F) |
• Diaper • Long-sleeve bodysuit • Pants • Sweater • Thick socks • Optional light blanket for calm periods Newborn note (0–3 months): In this cooler range, a light blanket or slightly thicker sweater can help keep your baby comfortable. |
| 18–19°C (64–67°F) |
• Diaper • Long-sleeve bodysuit • Pants • Light sweater or long-sleeve top • Light socks Newborn note (0–3 months): Newborns may still benefit from slightly thicker socks or a soft cardigan if they tend to run cool. |
| 20–21°C (68–71°F) |
• Diaper • Long-sleeve bodysuit • Pants • Light shirt or thin sweater • Bare feet or light socks, depending on how your baby feels Newborn note (0–3 months): A light pair of socks is usually a good idea, especially when your baby is not moving much. |
| 22–23°C (72–74°F) |
• Diaper • Long-sleeve bodysuit • Light pants • Bare feet or thin socks Newborn note (0–3 months): Newborns who tend to feel cool may be more comfortable with thin socks at this temperature. |
| 24–25°C (75–78°F) |
• Diaper • Short-sleeve bodysuit • Optional light pants if your baby tends to feel cool Newborn note (0–3 months): Some newborns prefer light pants at this range, especially when lying still for longer periods. |
| 26–28°C (79–83°F) |
• Diaper • Short-sleeve bodysuit If the room feels warm, try simple cooling steps such as using a fan to improve air flow, closing blinds during the hottest hours, or moving to a cooler room if possible. |
| 29°C or more (84°F or more) |
• Diaper • Optional very light bodysuit for short periods in a well-ventilated, shaded room In very hot rooms, try to cool the space where possible (fan, AC, shade, or a cooler room). Keep clothing very light and watch for signs of overheating. |
If you want an instant outfit suggestion for your indoor temperature, you can use the Baby Outfit Calculator and select “At home”.
Dressing Your Baby for Air Conditioning
Air conditioning can make summer much more comfortable, but babies can cool down faster than adults. The goal is gentle cooling, not a cold draft.
- Keep the room comfortably cool, not cold. Many families keep baby rooms somewhere around 20–23°C (68–73°F) when using AC, similar to a comfortable adult room.
- Avoid direct airflow on your baby. Turn vents away from the crib or play area so cool air circulates in the room rather than blowing on your baby.
- Add one thin layer if the room feels chilly. A light sweater or long-sleeve bodysuit is usually enough in AC rooms that feel cool on bare skin.
- Watch for big temperature jumps. Moving straight from very hot outdoors into a strongly air-conditioned room can be a shock. Let the room cool gradually and adjust clothing calmly.
Is My Baby Too Warm or Too Cold Indoors?
The most reliable way to check your baby's temperature is to feel the back of their neck or upper back under the clothing.
- If the neck or chest feels warm and dry, your baby is usually comfortable.
- If it feels hot, sweaty or damp, remove a layer or choose lighter fabrics.
- If it feels cool to the touch and your baby is unsettled, add a thin layer or socks.
- Cold hands and feet alone are not a good indicator. Babies' circulation is still developing, and their body prioritises warmth around the chest and vital organs.
FAQ: Indoor Clothing, Room Temperature and AC
Does my baby need a hat indoors?
No, babies do not need hats indoors in normal conditions. Babies regulate their body temperature by releasing heat through their heads, so wearing a hat indoors can cause them to overheat. Always remove your baby’s hat as soon as you come inside, even if the room feels cool to you. Overheating is a risk factor for SIDS, so it’s important to keep babies comfortable without extra head coverings indoors.
What room temperature is best for baby clothing at home?
Most babies are comfortable in a similar range to adults, often around 18–24°C (64–75°F). Many health organisations suggest keeping baby rooms slightly on the cooler side, roughly 18–22°C (64–72°F), and adjusting clothing in thin layers rather than heating the room too much.
Is it okay if my baby only wears a bodysuit or diaper at home?
In warm rooms, many babies are completely comfortable in a short-sleeve bodysuit or even just a diaper, especially in hot climates or during heatwaves. Make sure the room is safe, shaded and well ventilated and check regularly that your baby is not getting too hot or cold.
How should I dress my baby in an air-conditioned room?
Choose light, breathable layers and avoid making the room too cold. A long-sleeve bodysuit and pants, or a short-sleeve bodysuit plus a light sweater, usually work well. If you feel chilly, your baby might too — add a thin layer and check the neck or chest for warmth.
Should my baby wear more layers than I do indoors?
As a rough guide, young babies in cooler rooms sometimes need one light extra layer compared with an adult in the same space, especially when they are not moving much. In comfortably warm rooms, they often need the same amount of clothing as you do — or even less in hot weather.
The Baby Outfit Calculator gives you a personalised at-home outfit based on your room temperature and your baby’s age. Select “At home” and let the tool guide your layering choices.
Go to the Baby Outfit CalculatorThis guide provides general information for families. Every baby is individual and may react differently to room temperature and clothing. Always check your baby's comfort regularly and adjust layers as needed.
If you are worried about your baby's temperature, behaviour or health, or if they seem unusually hot, cold or unwell, contact a healthcare professional for advice.
For more background on keeping babies comfortably dressed and avoiding overheating, you can also refer to trusted public resources such as How to dress a newborn baby — NHS guidance , and for clothing-by-temperature advice from the American Academy of Pediatrics visit Dressing Your Newborn — HealthyChildren.org .