Autumn in Sweden is a bit like a two-year-old. It can't quite make up its mind. Frost on the pram at seven, bright sunshine by eleven and a raw, chilly drizzle just as you're heading home. And in the middle of it all, there you are with a little person who can't tell you whether they're freezing or boiling.
Don't worry. You don't need a new wardrobe. You need a system. Here's ours, from one parent to another.
Think layers, not garments
The simplest way to dress your child for changeable weather is to build in layers. Then you can take one off when the sun peeks out and add one when the clouds roll back in. Without having to change your whole child in the middle of the car park.
The base layer: what sits against the skin
This one's all about comfort. Choose a bodysuit or a thin set of long johns in a soft material that sits close to the body without feeling tight. This is rarely the layer you'll change during the day, so it should feel good to wear from morning to night.
The middle layer: the warmth
A jumper, a thin fleece or a wool sweater. This is the layer you play around with. Warm morning? Off it comes. Windy at the playground? Back on again. Two thin middle layers are often smarter than one thick one, because you get more steps to adjust in.
The outer layer: the shell
An all-in-one, a jacket or a rain suit, depending on the day. This layer should stop wind and wet, not necessarily keep warm. The middle layer takes care of the warmth.
How to tell if your child is cold or sweating
Little ones have cold hands. Often. That doesn't always mean they're cold. A tip many parents use is to feel the back of the neck or between the shoulder blades instead:
- Warm, dry neck: just right. Carry on with your day.
- Damp or sweaty neck: too warm. Take off a layer.
- Cold neck, cold tummy: too cold. Pop something extra on.
Watch the mood too. A child who suddenly gets whiny for no clear reason may simply be too warm or too cold. Sometimes the answer isn't a dummy. Sometimes it's a jumper.
A baby in the pram and a child on the run are two different things
It's easy to dress the whole sibling crew the same way. But their needs are very different.
The baby in the pram
A baby lying still doesn't generate any warmth of their own through movement. That's why they usually need one more layer than you're wearing yourself. A blanket or a footmuff is gold here, because you can fold it away when the sun breaks through and pull it back up in the shade. Remember the hat comes off when it gets warm. A sweaty head under a winter hat in the sunshine is no fun for anyone.
The child on the run
A child at full speed on the playground gets warm fast. Here you can think one layer less than you're wearing yourself instead, but keep a spare in the bag for when the pace slows down. Choose clothes that are easy to get on and off independently. Zips beat buttons every time when an impatient child wants out to play.
Quick everyday tips for autumn mornings
- Check the forecast for the whole day, not just the morning. Dress for the coldest moment and plan to peel off.
- Always keep a spare middle layer in the bag. A thin jumper weighs nothing and saves many an afternoon.
- Think about the feet. Wet socks make the whole child cold. A spare pair of socks in the bag is cheap peace of mind.
- Choose garments that work both with and without. A jacket that works over a sweater and directly over the bodysuit gives you more combinations.
- Feel the back of the neck every time you change environments. Indoors to outdoors, stroller to playtime. Small adjustments often beat one big adjustment rarely.
The innermost layer of all: the diaper
Under all the sweaters and overalls lies one more garment. The diaper. And in autumn, when your little one will be bundled up warm for hours at a time, what sits against the skin matters.
Our open diapers have 100% bamboo in the layer against the skin. The bamboo fibers are soft, breathable and wick moisture away, so skin stays dry even when your baby is properly wrapped up. And the diaper stays dry for up to 12 hours, which means fewer changes out in the cold. No lotions, no perfumes. Just what's needed, with significantly less plastic than conventional diapers.
Have a little one who runs instead of lying in the stroller? Then pant diapers are often easier. They pull on and off like a pair of underpants, which makes changing faster when there are three layers of clothes in the way and a child who wants to get back to the sandbox.
Quick checklist for the diaper bag this autumn
- An extra mid-layer (thin sweater or fleece)
- Extra socks
- A thin hat and a warmer hat, so you can switch
- Mittens, ideally two pairs since one always disappears
- Diapers and wipes, as usual
- A blanket for the stroller that can be folded away
Autumn weather will keep being unpredictable. But with layer upon layer, a hand on the back of the neck now and then, and a dry, soft innermost layer, you're ready for both frost and sunshine. Often in the same morning.
