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Dressing a newborn

Key facts

  • Dress your baby so that they do not overheat and are not too warm or too cold, especially for sleep.
  • Choose close-fitting, soft, cotton baby clothes that have a low fire danger label and no loose trimmings.
  • When you dress your baby for sleep, use a baby-safe sleeping bag or light blankets, and keep their head uncovered.
  • If you go outside in hot weather, put a sunhat on your baby's head and cover as much of their skin as you can with loose, light clothing or wraps.
  • Use a safe changing table and never leave your baby on it without an adult next to them.

    • How do I put clothes on my baby?

    The video below, from Raising Children Network, gives you some ideas about how to put clothes on your baby. It's important to be gentle, even if your baby is wriggling.

    • First put your baby's singlet over the back of their head. Make sure the baby's mouth and nose aren't covered by the singlet. Then bring the singlet down over their face. Do the same in reverse when taking it off.
    • Do not pull your baby's arms — this may cause them to pull back. Gently guide their arms through their sleeves.
    • For long sleeves, bunch up the sleeve and stretch it to create a wider hole. Then reach through the hole to gently hold your baby's hand and slide the sleeve on.
    • Do one arm first, then gently roll and slightly lift the baby while sliding the rest of the outfit underneath. Then do the other arm.
    • When babies are older, they may move and fidget more. Reassure and distract them with a toy, talking, making faces or singing a nursery rhyme.

    Watch this video from Raising Children Network: How to dress a newborn.

    Video provided by Raising Children Network.

    Which clothes should I buy or borrow for my newborn baby?

    Babies grow fast, so you may prefer to buy just a few items of clothing in each infant size range.

    In Australia, the common size range for infant clothes is:

    • 0000 for newborns
    • 000 for 0 to 3 months of age
    • 00 for 3 to 6 months of age.

    Size 00000 is also available for premature or very small babies.

    Some larger babies may fit into size 000 or even 00 clothes when they are born.

    Babies have sensitive skin. Try soft cotton clothing or bamboo clothing in the first few months.

    Choose clothes for your newborn that are close-fitting and have a low fire danger label. Remove any loose ribbons or decorations on clothing. They can be a choking risk. Make sure mittens, socks and bootees do not contain loops or loose threads that could twist around your baby's fingers or toes.

    How should I dress my baby for sleep?

    When you put your baby to sleep, how you dress them is important for their safety.

    Here are some tips on what they should wear to sleep:

    • Dress your baby in comfortable clothing that is not too loose.
    • Choose clothes that are appropriate for the weather, and be sure not to overdress them.
    • If you are using a sleeping bag, make sure the neck and arm holes are fitted and their arms are free.
    • Remove hats, beanies and any clothing with a hood.
    • Remove any jewellery, necklaces and cords or ribbons from your baby's dummy.

    If you swaddle (wrap) your baby:

    • use a lightweight and breathable fabric such as muslin, cotton or bamboo
    • wrap them firmly and allow for some hip movement and for their chest to expand when they breathe
    • make sure they are not overdressed under their wrap
    • when they no longer have the startle reflex, wrap them with their arms and hands open
    • do not cover their head
    • do not wrap them above their shoulders

    If your baby gets too hot, this can increase their risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

    Your baby's tummy should feel warm. It is normal for their hands and feet to feel cooler. If your baby's skin is red or sweaty, this is a sign that they are too hot.

    Babies control their temperature mostly through their head and face. To prevent them from overheating, don't cover your baby's head. Avoid putting them to bed with a bib or anything else that could cover their face.

    If you do use blankets for your baby, they should be made from lightweight muslin or cotton. Layer them, so you can add or remove blankets according to the temperature of the room. Find out more about how to use blankets safely.

    Read more about sleep and settling your baby.

    How should I dress my baby in hot weather?

    In hot weather, dress your baby in:

    • loose, light clothing such as a singlet and nappy
    • a sun hat if you take your baby outside

    If you go outside, try to cover as much of your baby's skin as possible with loose and light clothing or wraps. Keep your baby in the shade to help protect your baby's skin from sunburn. Choose fabrics with a high ultraviolet protection factor (UPF).

    Sunscreen is not recommended for babies under 6 months of age.

    Read about keeping babies cool in hot weather.

    Read about babies in hot weather.

    Read about heat-related illnesses in babies.

    How should I dress my baby in cold weather?

    In cold weather, dress your baby in layers, so you can remove some clothing when you are in a warmer place. As a general guide, dress your baby in one more layer than you are comfortable wearing.

    Babies mainly lose heat through their head, so put a hat on your baby if it's cold outside. To prevent overheating, remove the hat as soon as you get indoors or into a warm car, bus or train, even if this wakes your baby up.

    Read our guide to dressing your baby in cold weather.

    How do I keep my baby safe on the change table?

    Never leave your baby on a change table without an adult next to them — even for a moment. If you need to do something urgently, take your baby with you.

    Choose a change table that has raised edges around it, approximately 10cm higher than the surface that your baby lies on.

    Here are some more tips to keep your baby safe on a change table:

    • Ensure the surface has no gaps within your baby's reach that could trap their fingers or other parts of their body.
    • If your change table is foldable, make sure the locking devices work well and are strong enough so the table cannot collapse.
    • Have everything ready before you start to change your baby, so you won't need to leave them. If you need to get something, take your baby with you.
    • Keep one hand on your baby at all times, to prevent them rolling or wriggling off the change table.
    • Keep anything that could harm your baby away from their reach, including nappy creams or choking hazards. Remember that babies like to put things in their mouths.
    • Do not try to fix broken change table latches or locking mechanisms yourself. Take the table back to the manufacturer or discard it.
    • Use a child safety harness if you have one.

    Following these tips can help your baby stay safe. If your baby falls from the height of a change table, they can be seriously injured.

    Resources and support

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    Speak to a maternal child health nurse

    Call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby to speak to a maternal child health nurse on 1800 882 436 or video call. Available 7am to midnight (AET), 7 days a week.

    Last reviewed: October 2025