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Expecting your baby in May? Here are some practical dressing tips

In May, temperatures can be wonderfully unpredictable, especially in the first few weeks. One day you might be greeted by sunshine and temperatures around 20 °C, and the next a cold snap rolls in and the air feels noticeably cooler than usual. So, which baby clothes are worth having ready for those first few weeks and months?

In this article, we’ll show you how to dress your baby born in May for changeable spring weather.

Keep clothing layered and easy to adapt

LiaaBébé recommends dressing your baby in layers during May, so you can respond quickly to changing temperatures.

For sleep: In a room at 22 to 24 °C, a bodysuit, sleepsuit and a 0.5 TOG sleeping bag work well. If the room is around 25 °C, the sleepsuit can be left off.
During the day: The same outfit your baby sleeps in is also ideal for daytime wear, comfortable, practical and flexible.
For outdoors: In the first few days of the month, when temperatures can often reach 20 to 21 °C, a bodysuit, sleepsuit and a 1.0 TOG sleeping bag will usually be enough. On cooler days, or when a cold front arrives, a 1.5 TOG sleeping bag is a practical choice.

By mid May and in the second half of the month, the average daily temperature often drops, so layering becomes especially important. A bodysuit with a sleepsuit, a cardigan or lightweight jacket, plus a 1.0 to 1.5 TOG blanket, or a sleeping bag without a jacket, helps keep your baby comfortable.

What is the ideal room temperature for a newborn?

Mum is holding her newborn baby in her arms and smiling lovingly at them

Professional guidance varies slightly, but the temperature most often recommended for indoors is 22 to 25 °C. Newborns are not yet able to regulate their own body temperature properly, so they need a slightly warmer environment than older babies.

If you can keep the temperature in your home steady, that is ideal because it is more predictable. But if your heating gives off uneven warmth and the room feels cooler by morning, bamboo baby clothing can be especially practical and comfortable. Why? Because this fabric helps regulate your baby’s body temperature. It cools in warm conditions, keeps warmth in when it is cooler, allows the skin to breathe well and helps prevent your little one from getting sweaty.

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

If the room temperature overnight is around 24 °C, LiaaBébé recommends a bodysuit with a sleepsuit and a 0.5 TOG sleeping bag, or a light blanket. At around 25 °C, a bodysuit under a sleeping bag or thin blanket is usually enough.

When choosing clothing, it is also worth looking for fabrics that are soft, stretchy and easy to take off and put on. That makes dressing and changing much easier at night, even in low light. With a sleepsuit, for example, a well-placed zip can make nappy changes much simpler.

Essential clothing pieces for May babies

Short or long-sleeved bodysuits made from bamboo fibre, in cheerful prints or plain colours
Zip-up sleepsuits that are easy to put on and take off
Cardigans and lightweight jackets for breezy days
Comfortable, flexible sleeping bags with a 1.0 to 1.5 TOG rating
Bamboo baby blankets with a 0.5 to 1.5 TOG rating
A baby hat, lightweight mittens and socks for cooler mornings

These pieces can easily be layered and adjusted while you’re out and about if the weather changes. That gives you the reassuring feeling that you’ve left home well prepared, and that your baby will stay comfortably dressed even in changeable May weather.

Daytime clothing for a newborn baby

At home, your baby can wear much the same during the day as they do at night. As they are not yet moving around much, their body also produces less heat. A common rule of thumb is to dress your baby in one more layer than you would feel comfortable wearing yourself. It is a very helpful guide, and works well in most situations, even when you’re outside.

Dressing your baby outdoors in May

Three mums are walking in the park with their children and pushing prams

As we mentioned earlier, newborns cannot yet regulate their own body temperature, so it is especially important to dress your baby in layers and choose flexible clothing, so they stay comfortable at all times.

In the first days of May, when temperatures can reach around 20 °C, a bodysuit, sleepsuit and a 1.5 TOG sleeping bag will be comfortable for a walk outdoors.
When a cold front arrives or on cooler days, which can happen in early or mid May, a bodysuit, sleepsuit, cardigan and a 2.5 TOG sleeping bag are recommended.
During the day, if the sun is out and temperatures are around 15 to 20 °C, a bodysuit, sleepsuit and either a 1.5 or 2.5 TOG sleeping bag can be enough.
Always keep an eye on sudden changes in the weather and take a hat, a lightweight cardigan and a blanket with you in the pram.

Why is it important for layered clothing to be stretchy as well?

Simply because it is more comfortable. If you were to dress your baby in clothes that feel tight on their little body, they would not feel comfortable enough.

Why is bamboo fibre the best choice?

One of the biggest advantages of bamboo is temperature regulation. It helps keep your baby warm in winter, cool in summer, wicks away moisture and allows the skin to breathe beautifully. Your baby’s skin stays dry, helping to avoid rashes and chafing. Based on the experiences of LiaaBébé customers, these fabrics are not only comfortable, but also long-lasting.

A world of unique colours and prints

If you’ve already seen our baby clothes, you’ve probably noticed that alongside quality, we place a real emphasis on cheerful, uplifting colours. Baby clothes are not only lovely for grown-ups to look at, little ones gradually begin to notice and discover special prints too.

Long-sleeved and short-sleeved bodysuits are everyday essentials, practical pieces designed for daily wear. To make your little one’s outfit truly lovely to look at, we’ve chosen distinctive shades. You’ll find colour names such as apricot, strawberry, vanilla, lagoon blue, luna blue and almond in our collection too.

Every LiaaBébé babywear piece can be styled beautifully with the others. You can mix and match harmonious shades and prints to your heart’s content. Step beyond white and beige for a change. You may be surprised by just how lovely these beautifully designed little outfits look on your children.

Your frequently asked questions

Should I change my baby after a walk if we come back into a warmer home?

It may be a good idea to remove one layer once you get home. This can help your baby settle more easily and drift off to sleep sooner.

What kind of fabric should I choose if the temperature changes a lot during the day?

It is best to choose a natural, temperature-regulating fabric that adapts to changes in the environment and helps keep your baby’s body at an even temperature. LiaaBébé bamboo clothing can help prevent your little one from getting chilly when the weather is cooler, while also stopping them from overheating as the air warms up during the day.

Does a newborn need sun protection during walks in May?

Yes, in May the UV level can already be stronger, even when the weather does not feel especially warm. With newborns, the most important thing is to avoid direct sunlight. Choose a shady route, use the pram sunshade, and even a muslin cloth clipped on can help.

In May, dressing a newborn comfortably and safely comes down to clever layering, choosing the right TOG rating, and opting for natural, temperature-regulating fabrics. If you keep these in mind, your baby will feel comfortable in every situation, whether resting at home or enjoying a stroll in the fresh air.

With LiaaBébé babywear, you can easily build your baby’s spring essentials from the very first days.

Written by Mónika Veres

References:

NHS - Safe sleep advice for babies and How to dress a newborn baby

The Lullaby Trust - Your baby’s room temperature.