Born in March, how should you dress your baby?

Spring weather can make dressing a newborn quite a challenge. In March, cold and milder spells, sunshine and wind often alternate. A newborn’s ability to regulate body temperature is not yet fully developed, so they are especially sensitive to changes in temperature. Clothing that is too thick or too light is not ideal, which is why layering and choosing the right fabrics are so important.

In this article, we will show you how to dress a baby born in March safely and comfortably, at home, for sleep and for walks too, adapted to typical spring weather conditions in the UK.

Dress a March baby in layers

According to LiaaBébé’s recommendation:

• for sleep: a body, a sleepsuit and a 0.5 TOG sleep bag; at 25°C, a body on its own under the sleep bag is usually enough
• during the day: the same outfit used for sleep is suitable
• outdoors: at 5°C, a body and sleepsuit with a cosy footmuff over the top; in milder weather, a 2.5 TOG sleep bag can be used instead of a footmuff

What room temperature is ideal for a newborn?

The professional recommendation is 22 to 25°C. Newborn babies need a slightly warmer room because they are not yet able to regulate their own body temperature properly. A room temperature of 22 to 25°C is considered safe for them, helping to prevent them from getting too cold or too warm.

What should a baby wear in a room temperature of 22 to 25°C?

If the air temperature stays consistent through the night, LiaaBébé recommends a body and a sleepsuit for your baby up to around 24°C, with a sleep bag over the top. At a room temperature of 25°C, a body alone under the sleep bag, or blanket, is usually enough.

What should you look for when choosing clothes?

The fabric should be soft and stretchy so dressing is easy and comfortable. Temperature-regulating fabrics can make a real difference, helping your child’s body avoid getting too cold or overheating.

Essential clothing for babies born in March

• You can choose short-sleeved or long-sleeved bodies in lovely cheerful colours, cute prints or plain shades, made from extra-stretchy bamboo fibre fabric. These little outfits are especially lovely because they fit close to the body. They hold their shape, feel soft and are easy to put on.
• Our sleepsuits are especially comfortable pieces and firm favourites with mums. Every item fastens with a zip, making it very easy to dress your baby, even in the half-light during the night.
• If you would like to use a sleep bag, there are a few things worth keeping in mind. In a sleep bag that is roomy enough and stretchy enough, your baby can rest comfortably. If the neckline fits your little one’s body properly, it can be worn safely and will not slip down. Easy removal matters here too, as babies are often asleep during night-time nappy changes. We wanted to focus on these essential features, which is why you can find the ideal sleep bag for your baby with us.
• LiaaBébé bamboo baby blankets, like our sleep bags, come with a TOG rating. If you prefer using a blanket for your baby, 0.5 TOG will be the right choice for you, made from two layers of bamboo viscose fabric.

If you are expecting your baby in March, it is worth having a few pairs of tiny socks, a light cotton hat for your baby’s head, especially after bath time, and both lightweight and warmer baby blankets. These small essentials can be very useful in the first few weeks and months.

What should a newborn wear during the day?

A newborn’s daytime outfit is very similar to what they wear at night. Up to around six weeks of age, babies are not yet able to properly balance out the effects of their surroundings on their body temperature. They are not moving much yet, so their bodies do not produce heat in the same way as older babies who are already rolling, wriggling and becoming more active. That is why it is especially important to make sure they wear one more layer during the day than what feels comfortable for us.

How should you dress your baby for the weather outside?

It can still be quite chilly in the early morning and late morning, so at these times your baby will need more layers. Over a long-sleeved body and babygrow, add a little jacket and a thicker blanket, or a footmuff with suitable warmth. A 2.5 TOG sleep bag can also be a good option, with an extra blanket if needed. A hat can still be more winter-like at this time of year.

If you head out around midday, the sun may already be shining and feel pleasantly warm, with temperatures reaching around 14 to 16°C. A body and sleepsuit combination can still be comfortable with a 2.5 TOG sleep bag.

March weather is still very changeable. Daytime temperatures may range between around 6 and 16°C, and you also need to think about sunshine, wind and rain. With a newborn, always dress them according to the temperature at the exact time you are heading out.

Why is bamboo fibre the best choice?

If we look at the benefits of bamboo from a temperature point of view, the most important one to highlight is its temperature-regulating ability. In winter it keeps your little one warm so they do not get cold, and in summer it helps keep them cool and protects against overheating. It absorbs moisture very well and allows the skin to breathe beautifully, helping your baby’s skin stay dry and comfortable. It can also help prevent rashes and rubbing.

Thank you for your feedback

We always love reading your messages, because no one can give a more genuine picture of our baby clothes than you and your children.

Your experiences show that LiaaBébé clothing made from stretchy, natural bamboo fibre is not only more comfortable, but can also be worn for longer. Choosing the right TOG rating makes settling your baby to sleep much easier and can reduce the number of night wakings. Temperature-regulating fabric can also help prevent overheating.

Your questions for us

How can I tell whether my baby is too warm or too cold?

Reach under your baby’s clothing at the neck and touch their chest, back or the nape of the neck. If their skin or hair feels too warm, flushed or damp, and their breathing or pulse seems too fast, they are probably too warm. If their skin feels cold to the touch, looks mottled or has a slightly bluish tone, they are likely too cold.

Why is it good for a baby to sleep in a sleep bag?

It provides a pleasant, even warmth and does not slip off your baby. Your baby feels secure in it because it gently cuddles around the body. It supports more settled sleep, not only for your baby, but for parents too.

What does the TOG rating mean?

TOG is a unit that shows the thickness of a fabric. It tells you how well a baby garment keeps your child warm. The higher the TOG value, the warmer the sleep bag or baby blanket will be.

Help with choosing:

0.5 TOG: 22 to 25°C

1.5 TOG: 20 to 23°C

2.5 TOG: 18 to 21°C

Why does the fabric of baby clothing matter?

If you choose pieces that protect your child from getting too cold or too warm, while also being comfortable and natural, you can help protect your baby’s skin too.

Baby clothes that almost grow with your child?

Yes, LiaaBébé clothes really do keep up with your baby’s growth. They are so stretchy and shape-retaining that they can be worn for a long time, passed on, and become favourites for the whole family. That means you can plan with fewer, better-quality pieces.

The key to dressing babies born in March is layering, choosing the right TOG rating, and selecting natural fabrics. If you keep these in mind, your little one will always be dressed comfortably and safely, whether at home or out for a walk.

Discover LiaaBébé babywear and build the perfect spring wardrobe from the very first days.

Written by Mónika Veres

References:

NHS - Safe sleep advice for babies

The Lullaby Trust - Room temperature