Baby layering: how to dress them right in winter

In winter the question arises: how warm is warm enough without my baby overheating? The answer is layering – several thin layers instead of one thick one. Warmth stays where it is needed, and you can react flexibly.

How layering works

The idea: several thin layers trap warming air between them and therefore insulate better than a single thick garment. The big advantage – you can add or remove layers depending on whether you are inside, outside or in a warm car. This prevents overheating as well as getting cold.

The layers from the inside out

• 1st layer (skin): a long-sleeved bodysuit made of organic cotton, plus socks or warm tights – such as the classics by Silly Silas
• 2nd layer (warmth): romper or trousers plus a top, in cold weather made of merino wool – why merino is unbeatable here is shown in our comparison Merino wool or cotton
• 3rd layer (insulation): a warm cardigan, vest or a wool-fleece piece, for example by Engel Natur
• 4th layer (outside): overall, snowsuit or a footmuff in the pram, plus a hat and mittens

The neck test

The best place to check whether your baby is warm enough is the neck – not the hands or feet, which are often cool in babies without the baby actually being cold. If the neck feels pleasantly warm and dry, all is well. If it is sweaty, it is too warm; if it is distinctly cool, a layer is missing.

In the car and pram

In the car seat: no thick snowsuit under the harness, as the harness will not sit properly otherwise. Better thinner layers with a blanket on top. In the pram, a footmuff and an extra blanket keep your baby warm without restricting them.

Frequently asked questions

How many layers does a baby need in winter?

As a rule of thumb: one layer more than you are wearing yourself. In sub-zero temperatures that is usually the four layers described; in the in-between seasons three are often enough.

Does my baby always need a hat outside?

In the cold season, yes. Babies lose a comparatively large amount of heat through the head, because it is big in relation to the body. A well-fitting hat made of wool or wool-silk is standard in winter.

And at night – does layering apply to sleep too?

In modified form: instead of a blanket and many layers, it is bodysuit plus pyjamas plus a suitable sleeping bag. The neck test works here too – and the bedroom may be cool at 17 to 19 degrees.

For the warming layers you will find winter clothes, thermal clothing and, in the outdoor collection, warming merino pieces for outside.