Tundraco's Daily Living Guide to Raising Kids Dressing Your Baby According to the Season

Baby's need protection from the elements – but don't over protect them. In the winter babies seldom need to wear anything heavier than what you are wearing. However, when in the sun they need more protection than you do, because their skin is delicate and easily burned.

Ultra violet radiation (sunlight) can cause damage to an infant's eyes. The simplest and most convenient way to protect your baby is to have him wear sunglasses that are designed to block 99-100% of all UV light.

• Sunglasses may be necessary even in winter. Sunlight that is reflected off snow or concrete can become strong enough to cause eye damage and even sunburn.

Just as with adults, layering is the key. If it warms up, simply remove a couple of layers until you have the right amount of coverage. As well, try not to bundle the baby up so much that it cannot move. The baby will be happier and warmer, if it can move its limbs and wiggle about.

Dress your baby in accordance with the temperature inside. Some people tend to keep their homes very hot, yet insist on dressing the baby as if it was 50° F. If your house is warm, a diaper and T-shirt may be all that is required. Otherwise, a one piece jumper or 'bunny' suit that covers the feet may be more suitable, especially at night when they are likely to kick the covers off.

• After washing 'bunny' suits or any other item of baby clothing that has feet, check the feet to make sure that there are no lose thread. These threads may become entangled with the baby's toes.

When taking your baby outside, make sure that they are wearing a fleece or wool cap to help them retain body heat. Their hands and feet should be covered. Depending on the temperature all that may be needed is a sweater or a one-piece snowsuit that simply goes on over their inside outfit. Don't forget to take the outside layer off when you back inside.

If it is windy, try to screen his face so that he does not get wind chapped. Many carriages come with a windscreen, or you may cover the carriage with a blanket. Just make sure that there is plenty of air circulation into the carriage so that the baby does not become overheated or stifled.

• Be weary of wrapping a scarf around the baby's face. It is very easy for the baby to become tangled up, and may possibly chock. In addition, a scarf may interfere with their ability to breathe.

If it's so hot enough that all you're wearing is shorts and a tank top, all your baby is going to need is a T-shirt and diaper – at least inside.

If you take your baby outside it must be protected from the sun. Cover as much of your baby's skin as possible, using clothing made of tightly woven, yet lightweight fabrics. Never let your baby out of the house without a wide brimmed hat on. Keep your baby in the shade as much as possible, and if necessary use sunscreen on exposed areas of the skin.

A baby's hands, feet and face are often the coldest parts of their body. Feeling their stomach will give you a more accurate idea of whether they are cold or not. If the stomach is cold to the touch, most likely the baby is truly cold. Other signs that the baby may be cold are if its cheeks become pale and splotchy, if it begins to shiver, or if its limbs become stiff.

• If the baby is so cold that its limbs are stiff, bring it into a warm environment and gently rub its arms and legs to help increase circulation.

Unfortunately, a baby cannot tell you when it is hot. Chances are if you're hot, so is the baby. However, in colder weather this may be harder to judge. Feel your baby's skin, is it sweaty? Sweat on babies tends to be more noticeable around the folds in the neck and on the back. If your baby is overly hot, their cheeks can get very rosy and their skin may feel hot to the touch.

• To cool your baby, loosen or remove his clothing and wipe the sweat off with a cool towel.