What does your baby wear outside?

[Forgivemenot]

I generally keep my baby cooler than warm due to the SIDS risks. However yesterday I got it wrong and he got too cold. I feel awful and I am beating myself up about it, I've felt sick ever since. Baby seems fine, I warmed him up but now I'm questioning how to dress him properly.

In this weather to go outside what do you put your baby in? I had him in a short sleeve bodysuit, sleepsuit and cardi with hat and booties on then a blanket and cosy toes on top of that. When we were inside I took his blanket, hat and booties off but left the cosy toes on. This is where he got cold. Please tell me what to do next time so it doesn't happen again. I might add I checked his chest throughout and this remained warm. It was his legs that were cold. Please don't rip into me, I feel terrible so much already and wish I could turn back time to get it right.

How old is he?

Can I ask, your reaction seems quite extreme to me, the feeling sick etc, are you quite anxious usually?

He is 7 weeks.

I have had anxiety in the past but it is creeping back. I feel like the worst parent to get this wrong.

I would suggest a trip to the GP tbh, I think your reaction is OTT to what was a simple misjudging of the temperature.

In answer to your question, at that age I'd have dressed mine very similarly, I just wouldn't have put booties on.

It’s unseasonably warm if you’re in the UK atm. Cold babies will let you know, the danger is babies that are too hot.

Maybe just check his chest/back a few mins into an outing and adjust accordingly.

If just his legs were cold he was probably fine.

Your reaction is wildly ott, feeling sick about your baby being a bit chilly is extreme.
Of course it’s normal to feel slightly anxious about things when you have a new baby, you’re learning new things all the time and sometimes there’s trial and error involved.
The advice when mine were little was that they should be in 1 layer more than you.
Take care of yourself

Thank you for coming back to me. I have a referral from the HV but maybe the GP might be wise too.

Their legs always get cold as they aren’t walking around. Stop worrying, you’re doing really well! Maybe a GP appointment for you (as others have suggested) to see about possible anxiety. Do you get out to baby groups?

His legs were very cold. His body still felt warm but he had gone pale and mottled skin.

First to answer your question if i'm going out for a walk with my DD (11 months) and we will be outside for a long time I have been putting her in a snow suit, hat and blanket. It's been soooo cold lately and she seems happy and comfortable with that while sleeping in her pram. If i'm going to be in and out of warm shops, having a drink in a cafe etc the snow suit is too warm and faffy to take off so i'd put booties and a coat on instead and take them off if inside for a while.

As for your reaction, I think some of the comments on here are unfair. I think it's a normal reaction depending on your personality type. You're a new overprotective mummy who is wanting to do the best by their baby. You sound like me, i'd be the same. I've felt awful and upset in the past when she's got nappy rash, banged her head when learning to crawl etc. All normal things with a baby but it's not a nice feeling. You naturally want to protect them from every possible harm. Your baba is only 7 weeks, i'm sure you will settle into your new role and be less anxious as time goes by and you build up your confidence. Don't beat yourself up, baby is fine xx

I dress mine in the same as you. Don't tend to use a snowsuit much as they can't wear them in the car seat. Only thing I would of done is leave the blanket on. I wouldn't worry about your DS getting too warm during the day assuming you are there supervising him.

Never judge a babies temp by feeling hands, feet legs etc. Feel their chest. Don't be tempted to load him up with layers from now on, it sounds like he was fine yesterday. It is hard being a ftm but you will learn. A cold baby will wake up and let you know, a too warm baby won't necessarily!

It's so difficult. They give you guidance on how to bath, feed, change a nappy etc but just give you the "don't let him get too hot or too cold" talks without telling you what would be ideal. Shops are warm, will he overheat, outside is cold, will he freeze? Cannot wait for spring to feel a bit more sure of myself.

I was told one more layer than I'm wearing like a pp. Do adjust though for your baby- DS1 runs very warm and I have to be careful not to overheat him by bundling him up too much. DS2 is much cooler so I keep an extra blanket and cardi in the change bag in case he needs it when we get out. Don't worry too much about it!

I'm assuming your talking about being out in a buggy? I was out yesterday and ds was in long sleeve vest, babygro, snowsuit and hat, then have the cover like a cosy toes over the bassinet on the buggy so I would say you just need to add like an outside layer, a coat or fluffy snowsuit. You should add one more layer than you.

First, you need to speak to your GP about your anxiety. Second, their torso being warm means they are the right temp, you aren’t supposed to worry about extremities. Lastly, star snug. It’s a game changer! Because it’s an envelope fold on it you can just throw it open when you go in a shop.

I would of dressed them similarly.im not a great fan of snowsuits as I think they're restricting.

We went out yesterday and DD had on a long sleeve vest, long sleeved dress top, thick fleecy leggings, hat and socks. In the buggy and under a blanket.

She's 13 weeks

I don't drive and walk everywhere. My baby wears a snowsuit and a hat with the snowsuit hood up when in his pushchair. He wears a sleepsuit and short sleeve vest underneath. If the temperature goes below zero I might add a blanket.

If we are going in the car (DP can drive) he wears a hoodie or thick cardigan/jumper as DP turns the heating up so the car gets very hot. I add a hat and blanket when we get out of the car if we have to walk somewhere which is rare.

The recommendation in the UK for the winter is add one more layer than you are wearing.

Babies generally let you know when something is bothering them, they’re quite vocal little things as you probably know by now. If he were too cold he’d have screamed so he was probably fine.

My DS was about two months old this time last year. He used to wear a bodysuit, sleepsuit, cardigan and jacket with mittens and a hat plus two blankets over him. I think it was colder this time last year though tbh, it’s been fairly mild for January.