The purpose of this blog post is to make the dressing process of your baby as easy as possible with the help of our dressing guide in the form of a matrix. All you have to do is to check the outdoor temperature and find the appropriate outfit from the tables located below.
Breden’s super useful visual guide will help you find quick answers to all your daily dressing questions. Don’t worry, even though it might look overwhelming at first and give the impression that you need a lot of equipment, in reality the products will repeat and create suitable combinations for different weather conditions.
How to use this matrix?
Dressing your baby according to Breden’s dressing matrix is very simple:
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Check the outdoor temperature (from a weather app or a thermometer)
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Find the corresponding temperature from the matrix.
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Combine the suitable outfit using items you already have and if needed, purchase additional items to prepare for upcoming temperature ranges.
To make the combining of pre-existing products easier, we’ve provided at least two different alternatives for each temperature range.
PS! Download this baby dressing matrix to your phone or print it out for easy access whenever needed. Get it here!
Some aspects you need to consider are…
… sunny weather. If it’s sunny, the temperature in direct sunlight can be a lot warmer than in the shade. Add at least 5°C to the outdoor temperature and dress your baby accordingly as recommended in the guide.
… wind chill. If it's very damp and windy, subtract about 5°C from the outdoor temperature and dress your baby according to the table’s recommendation. Some weather apps also provide a very helpful “feels like” estimation.
Good news! You need only one sleeping bag from fall till spring
In our baby dressing guide, the item combinations are designed for you to choose either a thick or a thin sleeping bag for the entire season. You can also mix both, it’s absolutely your call! If you opt for a thick sleeping bag, make sure it’s a high-quality product with efficient warmth retention. Also keep in mind that thick and fluffy doesn't always mean warm.
In general, we recommend using a sleeping bag starting from temperatures +10°C and declining. Above that a merino-lined MAJOR jumpsuit as the top layer with a merino silk blanket LUCA for windier days is completely sufficient. Cotton-lined BJORN suit comes into play when it’s warmer than +15°C.
Why is merino wool a better first layer material than cotton?
For temperatures below +10°C, we recommend choosing 100% merino wool clothes as the first layer against your baby’s skin instead of cotton clothes. There are several reasons for this, the main reason being that merino wool has an amazing ability to eliminate any feeling of cold. This means that even if there’s a diaper leak, your baby won’t feel cold and can continue sleeping comfortably. Merino wool also helps regulate body temperature, keeping your baby warm and cozy.
When it gets colder - get creative!
For colder temperatures such as +5°C to -10°C, you have several options: use MAJOR and BJORN suits as a second layer in a sleeping bag. Just keep in mind that the first layer should always be thinner. We have created a separate guide for this purpose to make it easier to understand. This type of layering allows you to use the MAJOR and BJORN suits longer during outdoor naps in cold seasons without a need for a thicker suit as the second layer.
One product, multiple benefits
During the cold seasons from fall till spring, merino-lined MAJOR jumpsuit is indispensable for car rides and shopping trips. It doesn’t get too hot in the car nor during store visits. It’s easy to layer over indoor clothes, while the outfit doesn’t get bulky and uncomfortable. A merino-lined jumpsuit proves to be especially convenient when the child no longer uses an infant carry cot - the child stays warm when passing through the cold outdoors, yet remains cool enough in a warm car.
These products will save your day!
We’ve listed all the products shown in both guides sorted by temperature ranges so you can easily scroll up and down, click on the product, visit the online store and purchase any missing items to dress your baby comfortably.
Let’s sum it all up!
It’s important to emphasize that everything in our dressing guides is merely a suggestion. It’s here to provide an idea of how to dress your baby and combine layers and you still have to keep in mind that cold tolerance can vary in babies, so it's essential to observe your little one and find the appropriate combinations that work for your baby.
