Protecting your baby from the elements is mostly about preparation. Even though knowing how to safely take the newest member of your family out in different temperatures can be a little confusing at first, remember that if you’re cold, chances are your baby is cold, and if you’re warm well then so is your baby.

To ensure your little one stays cool during the summer months check out our top tips on how to dress your baby for the temperature:

If you’re going to be spending most of your time indoors choose loose-fitting, lightweight clothes made from cotton which absorbs perspiration better. A good rule is to dress baby the way you are dressed. When outdoors dress your baby in light coloured long trousers, a long sleeved t-shirt and a hat to shield his head or face.

Babies don’t perspire well and find it difficult to control their own temperature, hence they are more likely to become overheated. Never leave your baby in a hot room or in a parked car, even a couple of minutes can be extremely dangerous.

The combination of a parent’s body heat, combined with the confined space can cause your baby to become hot and bothered very quickly. Try to choose a carrier made of nylon rather than a heavy fabric. If your baby starts to look flushed, remove from the carrier immediately.

Even if your baby isn’t sweating they can still become dehydrated very quickly in hot summer sun. If your little one has a flushed face, feels warm to touch, is breathing rapidly and appears restless they may be dehydrated. Replace fluids by breastfeeding frequently and/or giving them regular sip of water.

When winter hits you’ll need to ensure your baby stays warm and dry. Here are our top tips for colder weather-

Choose a warm fitted sheet for your baby, flannel works best. Soft warm one-piece grow bags also work well to keep your baby warm all night and prevent them from wriggling down under any blankets.

A snowsuit provides great protection against cold weather and is ideal in the winter months. Simply slip baby into the snowsuit before heading outdoors. Be sure to take off as soon as you come back indoors to prevent baby from overheating. Remember to also abide by car seat safety. Once you get to the car, remove baby’s bulky coat because it can compress below the harness and be too loose in the event of an accident. She can still wear multiple thin layers as well as a hat and mittens in the car seat.

A soft hat will keep out the cold. If your baby’s hands are exposed when you are out and about, pop on some mittens, one-piece mittens with string work great and prevent your little one from pulling them off and losing them. Remember to remove the hat when you come back inside. A rain cover also provides an extra layer to your little one and it helps to keep the warmth inside the pram.

Ideally, baby’s room should be kept between 16ºC and 20ºC. Of course, through the night, the temperature will vary, but if you keep where your little ones sleeps away from draughts or direct heat sources, you will soon find out what works best. On very cold nights, if you choose to keep the heating on try to keep to a lower setting.