dressing baby

[catan]

I carry my baby in a sling a lot and tend to dress her in thin sleeveless onesies. I get many comments from my relatives about how it's bad for her health to keep her legs and arms uncovered. However, my baby tends to be very warm, especially when I'm carrying her, and I worry she'll overheat in this summer heat! She doesn't cry much so I assume she's comfortable most of the time?

I'm just learning as I go along... would appreciate any feedback!

 

[2010-NewDad]

We normally dress our baby in a sleeveless one-sie too, and simply use a blanket to shield her from any vicious shopping mall/restaurant air-con as necessary. It isn't cold in the Hong Kong summer, babies don't need to be covered simply to satisfy relatives.... it's pretty easy to see if he/she is content or not.

 

[Frenchy]

It depends on what you do around with your baby. If we go out, knowing we'll spend a lot of time in a taxi/bus or in a mall, we put some long or half-long shorts and a long sleeves light top on our girl, or take a little jacket if she has only short sleeves (I also carry my daughter a lot)... but most of the time we never need it.
If we spend more time out, no pants, no sleeves, a little bit of sun cream and a cap, and she's fine !
Why do they tell you it's bad for the baby, what is the reason ?

 

[thanka2]

Babies have a layer of fat so they keep pretty insulated against the cold. We dress our baby in a sleeveless onesie and carry her in a front pack. We also pack a pair of sweatpants and a little long-sleeve shirt or jacket for her in case we feel her legs are getting cold--if we're in under cold A/C for long periods of time. If we overdress our daughter she just screams because she's too hot so it's easy for us to tell if she's dressed warmly enough.

 

[nicolejoy]

It's pretty easy to tell if a baby is too hot or too cold - just feel the back of their neck. If it's nice and toasty, they're fine. If their hands and feet are a bit cold, they might like a light jacket. But if they're pretty warm, don't bother. And if they're sweaty, or if their hands and feet are really hot, then they're probably overheating!! A LOT of babies over here are completely overdressed, and not only is it uncomfortable for them, but it can also cause some (minor) developmental delays since it is harder for them to move around.

 

[catan]

Something about wind getting into the body.

Why do they tell you it's bad for the baby, what is the reason ?

 

[RileyC]

I agree with nicolejoy that a lot of people in HK overdress their babies. If your baby is thriving, healthy, looks content and doesn't feel cold, then sleeveless onesies are fine.

 

[jvn]

Same here, I think a lot of people here overdress their babies. They'll let you know if they're too cold and in this weather unless they're right under the aircon, it's unlikely.

 

[Gracey]

They tell you that because they still believe these ridiculous superstitions about "wind". I've been hearing about "wind" my whole life. It's the reason (allegedly) that you can't drink anything cold and or why pregnant ladies like myself have to cut our long hair -- in case we don't blow-dry it and "wind" enters our heads. Never mind that it's 33 degrees outside.

It's all hogwash. I drink cold things every day and I never blow-dry my long hair. And I almost never get colds, flus or headaches. Our secretary at work wraps up in winter fleeces all summer -- including neck scarf -- takes endless Chinese medicine to get rid of "wind", refuses to drink even a Coke and is still sick constantly. Honestly, I think it's all in people's heads.

It's why you see these poor local tykes sweating it out in a hat, jacket and mittens in the Hong Kong summer. I'm SO looking forward to having a baby. I'm SO not looking forward to having to argue with Chinese aunties over this stuff when she comes.

 

[catan]

The back of my baby's neck is usually hot, as is her body. It's usually her hands and feet that are slightly cool when in a/c areas. Not cool enough to worry me though. But with so many people telling me about this I started to wonder if I was missing something.

It's pretty easy to tell if a baby is too hot or too cold - just feel the back of their neck. If it's nice and toasty, they're fine. If their hands and feet are a bit cold, they might like a light jacket. But if they're pretty warm, don't bother. And if they're sweaty, or if their hands and feet are really hot, then they're probably overheating!! A LOT of babies over here are completely overdressed, and not only is it uncomfortable for them, but it can also cause some (minor) developmental delays since it is harder for them to move around.