Seasonal Baby Dressing Guide — Summer, Winter, Spring & Autumn

Newborns can't regulate their own temperature, so a parent's layering choices do the regulating. Here's the simple rule for each Australian season.

Summer (Dec–Feb)

Cotton bodysuit, bare legs, light cotton cap in strong sun. A thin wool cardigan ready for air-conditioned spaces. Morning walks: add a light beanie.

Autumn (Mar–May)

Cotton bodysuit base layer. A light hand-knit cardigan. A pom-pom beanie for morning/evening walks. Booties if outside.

Winter (Jun–Aug)

Cotton bodysuit. A heavier hand-knit cardigan. Wool beanie at all outdoor times. Wool booties. A chunky blanket in the pram. Wool sleep bag (TOG 2.5) at night.

Spring (Sep–Nov)

Cotton base, mid-weight cardigan, removable beanie. Spring is the most variable season — always bring a cardigan even on warm days because afternoon breezes can drop the temperature 8°C in an hour.

The bottom line

The core pieces — beanie, booties, cardigan, blanket — carry your baby through every season. You don't need a new wardrobe every 3 months, just the right weight of each piece.