Can someone put my mind at rest once and for all.....

[8abyDust]

....I am 36 weeks pregnant with my first baby and feeling fairly confident (or as confident as any new mom can feel) about most aspects of caring for my new DS. However, the one thing I just cannot get my head around is what to dress him in. There are so many rules, etc that people tell you about....make sure they have 1 extra layer than you....use a shortsleeved bodysuit as a vest and then put a sleepsuit or outfit on over the top...put them in a vest and then put them in a blanket....I have no idea which is the right one to go for and for some reason (probably hormones!) it is really stressing me out.

I am having an Autumn baby which doesn't help either as who knows what the weather will be like. Also, the amount of different names for what I assume is a vest is insane!

Can anyone help by explaining the best rule of thumb and just tell me what you did.

Thanks so much, sorry about the rant...have just read 2 books which told me opposite things.

I'm also having an autumn baby (37 weeks) and I plan on putting her in a short sleeved vest then a long body/sleep suit for when she's inside. A blanket over the top when she's sleeping. For going out we've got extra cardigan things to go over and for the depths of winter (ie snow and because they are really cute) a snow suit type thing, although we are aware that this will probably not get a huge amount of use and def not a necessity.

Are you talking about in the house? It depends how warm your house is. Ours is a modern, very warm house so slept in a vest, babygro and one blanket.

Ok this is what I went off - always a bodysuit (as a vest because keeps nappy in place) and a babygro/sleepsuit (same things diff names). I then went off how warm she felt. Her hands and feet will always feel cold as a newborn and thats normal. You feel the back or side of her neck - you want it to feel warm and snuggly. too hot and she'll feel like you do when you're burning up with a fever. Remember that when they're inside you they were snuggly so always go towards warm rather than cool as she'll sleep better. Use cellular blankets as its easier to adapt temp. I used I layer of blanket in April with mine so for Autumn Id probably fold the blanket or use one layer and swaddle. If baby is lying on you you may need to remove blanket as your own body heat will warm her up.

i do remember that with mine i always had her in both vest and bodysuit and one layer of blanket in Spring time so Id be pretty confident saying go for that as your default and adjust if needed. tbh you'll be cuddling them so much when they come along they'll be warm enough anyway!!

This the thing I found the most difficult with dd, I felt so silly for it but I think over time you start to get an idea.

Its better for baby to be too cool than too hot.

Pretty much from day one dd had a vest/bodysuit one with short tshirt like sleves and poppers. And then either babygrow or jumper/trousers dress + tights she was born feb. Prettt much always had arms and legs and feet covered. You can always add an extra cardigan some boots or socks on if you think they are still cold.

Up until recently (dd is 18 months) she mostly always had some vest/body suit on. It prevents any uncomftable bits of stitching, lables etc against the skin, or and draughts from spaces between poppers. hth a bit :)

You will instinctively know at the time based on how hot you feel. I went for a bodysuit vest, a sleepsuit and a sheet as swaddling. It was spring for us. Within a couple of months he was in a sleeping bag.

It's better for them to be too cold than too hot - they will let you know if they are chilly but won't come to any harm. You will probably get a room thermometer in with all the samples and leaflets you receive after the birth as a guide.

Most houses tend to be on the warm side, regardless of the weather outside. Agree with everyone who says button-vest and baby-grow, with a blanket if sleeping.

When it gets cold, snow suit for going out, but take it off if you go indoors, e.g. into a warm shop. This is why winter babies come with a lot of faff, unfortunately! DD1 was November 2010, when we had a really severe winter, and I spent my life layering and unlayering her! Swore I'd have a summe baby next.....DD2 due December this year

Thanks everyone, making more sense now!!