The short answer: dress your baby in about what you would wear to feel comfortable, which on a hot Australian day usually means one light, loose layer of cotton or linen. Keep them in the shade as much as you can, add a broad brimmed hat, and never cover the pram with a dry blanket or wrap. For sleep, keep their head and face uncovered and dress them for the room, not the weather report.

Every October in Brisbane there is a morning when we open the back door and the air has changed. The knits go back in the drawer, the pram walks get longer, and suddenly we are standing in front of the wardrobe wondering what on earth a baby should wear when it is 30 degrees by 9am.

If that is you this week, here is everything we have learnt, backed by the people who know this best.

HOW SHOULD I DRESS MY BABY IN HOT WEATHER?

1 / Choose natural fibres, cut loose

Cotton and linen let air move and sweat evaporate, while many synthetic fabrics trap heat against the skin. Look for soft, breathable pieces that sit away from the body rather than cling to it. Simple is best here, and it is exactly why we keep a drawer full of plain cotton basics.

2 / One light layer, not none

Indoors on a very hot day, a nappy and a singlet or short sleeve bodysuit is plenty. Heading outside is different. A loose long sleeve layer in a light colour covers more skin from the sun and often feels cooler than bare arms in direct light.

3 / Check the chest, not the hands

Little hands and feet are almost always cooler than the rest of the body, so they are not a reliable guide. Rest your hand on your baby's chest or the back of their neck instead. If it feels hot or sweaty, remove a layer. Flushed cheeks, damp hair and fast breathing are all signs they are too warm.

HOUSE OF BIMBI - Baby S/S Bodysuit

HOW DO I PROTECT MY BABY FROM THE SUN? 

4 / Shade first, sunscreen last

Cancer Council recommends keeping babies under 12 months out of direct sun whenever the UV index is 3 or above, which in most of Australia is most of the day from spring onwards. Sunscreen is not recommended for widespread use on babies under six months. For older babies it is the last line of defence, only on small areas that clothing and a hat cannot cover.

Where you can, plan walks and park visits for early morning or late afternoon, and avoid 10am to 2pm (11am to 3pm during daylight saving). The free SunSmart app shows the UV forecast for your suburb each day.

5 / A hat they will actually keep on

A broad brimmed, bucket or legionnaire style hat shades the face, ears and neck. Soft brims and a chin strap help it survive the first ten attempts to pull it off. Keep a spare in the nappy bag, because one always goes missing.

6 / Never drape a dry cover over the pram

It feels protective, but Red Nose warns that a dry wrap or blanket over the pram cuts airflow and can push the temperature inside to dangerous levels. Use the pram's own canopy, a clip on parasol, or simply park in the shade. NSW Health suggests that if you do cover part of the pram, use a damp, breathable muslin and make sure air can still flow through.

WHAT SHOULD MY BABY WEAR TO SLEEP WHEN IT IS HOT?

7 / Less is more at bedtime

Red Nose suggests a sleeveless, legless onesie, or just a nappy and singlet, on warm nights. Always put your baby to sleep on their back with their head and face uncovered, as this is how babies release most of their heat. If you use a sleeping bag, choose a TOG rating that matches the room temperature using the manufacturer's guide. Any sheet should be lightweight cotton or muslin.

Red Nose does not recommend one ideal room temperature. What matters is that your baby is dressed for the room they are in, neither overdressed nor underdressed.

What about toddlers and older kids?

The same rules apply, they just move faster. A loose cotton shirt with a collar protects shoulders and the back of the neck at the park or beach, and lightweight linen trousers are a lovely alternative to shorts on high UV days.

HOUSE OF BIMBI - Kids Classic Button Up Shirt

Further reading

Final thought

Summer with a little one does not need to be complicated. Soft cotton, a good hat, a patch of shade and a hand on their chest every so often will carry you through most days.

And if a heatwave has you second guessing everything, trust your gut. You know your baby better than anyone.

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