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Fall newborn essentials: what a baby born in fall or spring needs

In shortA baby born on October 15, 2027 wears sizes NB and 3M from October to December, as the weeks get colder, and a baby born on April 15, 2027 wears them from April to June, as the weeks get warmer. Both are in-between births that head in opposite directions: in Houston, the bodysuits in size 3M are 5 short-sleeve and 1 long-sleeve for the April 15 baby, and 3 and 3 for the October 15 baby, with balanced amounts.

Fall, on Cotokim's calendar for the US, is September, October, and November, and spring is March, April, and May. For the clothes, a month counts as cold when its average temperature is below 64 °F (18 °C) and as hot from 75 °F (24 °C) up; in between, it is mild. These cutoffs are a Cotokim proposal, using the typical weather of each city from NOAA's climate normals 1. The list does not look at the season of the birth. It looks at the weather of the weeks your baby wears each size. For the deep cold and the heat, see winter newborn essentials and summer newborn essentials.

The months that turn

Fall and spring are the seasons when the months turn. Of the 100 cities on Cotokim, 92 have at least one cold month in fall and 91 have at least one in spring 1. In all 100, the monthly average falls from October to December and rises from April to June 1. In four of them:

CityCold monthsHot months
Chicago8, from October to May0
New York City8, from October to May2, July and August
Houston5, from November to March5, from May to September
Miami06, from May to October

The other months are mild. The weather month by month is on each city's page: Chicago, New York City, Houston and Miami, among the 100 cities. Baby essentials by birth month puts the four seasons side by side.

Born on April 15 or October 15, in four cities

Two babies, one born on April 15, 2027 and one on October 15, 2027, with balanced amounts, laundry every two days, a dryer and a home heated in winter. The first wears sizes NB and 3M from April to June; the second, from October to December.

All clothes in size NB · newborn:

CityBorn April 15Born October 15
Chicago14 pieces and 5 pairs14 pieces and 5 pairs
New York City14 pieces and 5 pairs14 pieces and 5 pairs
Houston14 pieces and 5 pairs14 pieces and 5 pairs
Miami14 pieces and 5 pairs14 pieces and 4 pairs

All clothes in size 3M · 0 to 3 months:

CityBorn April 15Born October 15
Chicago19 pieces and 4 pairs20 pieces and 4 pairs
New York City19 pieces and 4 pairs19 pieces and 4 pairs
Houston13 pieces and 3 pairs19 pieces and 4 pairs
Miami13 pieces and 3 pairs17 pieces and 4 pairs

Bodysuits in size 3M · 0 to 3 months, short sleeve and long sleeve:

CityBorn April 15Born October 15
Chicago3 short, 3 long3 short, 3 long
New York City3 short, 3 long3 short, 3 long
Houston5 short, 1 long3 short, 3 long
Miami5 short, 1 long3 short, 3 long

Size 3M comes later, in weeks closer to summer for one baby and to winter for the other. This is the reason the list gives for the short-sleeve bodysuits in size 3M in Houston, first for the April 15 baby and then for the October 15 baby:

5 short-sleeve bodysuits: your baby will wear size 3M · 0 to 3 months between May and June, with hot weather in Houston, and you do laundry every two days.

3 short-sleeve bodysuits: your baby will wear size 3M · 0 to 3 months between November and December, with cold weather in Houston, and you do laundry every two days. Your home is heated in winter, so cold months count as mild for clothes worn indoors.

The newborn clothes checklist does the same math for your city and your due date:

71 items on the list for the birth and the first 6 months, with 1,432 diapers, for the weather in New York City.

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The first 6 months in New York City

  1. Feb36°F2.2 °CcoldNB
  2. Mar43°F6.0 °CcoldNB and 3M
  3. Apr54°F12.1 °Ccold3M
  4. May63°F17.3 °Ccold3M and 6M
  5. Jun72°F22.2 °Cmild6M
  6. Jul78°F25.3 °Chot6M
  7. Aug76°F24.5 °Chot6M and 9M

The first and last months count only the days that fall within the first 6 months. Typical weather: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals (1991-2020), station NEW YORK CNTRL PK TWR, NY US, 5 mi (8 km) away.

Tap a phase to see the items, the amounts and the reason behind each number. The amounts are a Cotokim proposal.

Phase 1: Ready for the birth

44 items

Clothes

  • 2Short-sleeve bodysuitNBWhy?

    2 short-sleeve bodysuits: your baby will wear size NB · newborn between February and March, with cold weather in New York City, and you do laundry every two days. Your home is heated in winter, so cold months count as mild for clothes worn indoors.

  • 2Long-sleeve bodysuitNBWhy?

    2 long-sleeve bodysuits: your baby will wear size NB · newborn between February and March, with cold weather in New York City, and you do laundry every two days. Your home is heated in winter, so cold months count as mild for clothes worn indoors.

  • 2Sleeper or footie (long sleeves and legs)NBWhy?

    2 sleepers: your baby will wear size NB · newborn between February and March, with cold weather in New York City, and you do laundry every two days. Your home is heated in winter, so cold months count as mild for clothes worn indoors.

  • 1Short-sleeve romperNBWhy?

    1 short-sleeve romper: your baby will wear size NB · newborn between February and March, with cold weather in New York City, and you do laundry every two days. Your home is heated in winter, so cold months count as mild for clothes worn indoors.

  • 2Footed or pull-on pantsNBWhy?

    2 pairs of pants: your baby will wear size NB · newborn between February and March, with cold weather in New York City, and you do laundry every two days. Your home is heated in winter, so cold months count as mild for clothes worn indoors.

  • 3Cardigan or light jacketNBWhy?

    3 cardigans or light jackets: your baby will wear size NB · newborn between February and March, with cold weather in New York City.

  • 3SocksNBWhy?

    3 pairs of socks: your baby will wear size NB · newborn between February and March, with cold weather in New York City, and you do laundry every two days. Your home is heated in winter, so cold months count as mild for clothes worn indoors.

  • 2Scratch mittens (optional)NBWhy?

    2 pairs of scratch mittens: optional, for the first weeks. Short, filed nails are the alternative.

  • 2Knit hat (for going out in the cold)NBWhy?

    2 knit hats: for going out on cold days; your baby will wear size NB · newborn between February and March, with cold weather in New York City.

  • 1Snowsuit or bunting (for going out in freezing weather)3MWhy?

    1 snowsuit or bunting: for going out on freezing days; your baby will wear size 3M · 0 to 3 months between February and May in New York City. Take it off before buckling the car seat and when you get home.

Sleep

  • 1CribWhy?

    1 crib: a sleep space just for your baby, with a firm mattress and only a fitted sheet inside.

  • 1Crib mattressWhy?

    1 crib mattress: firm and flat, covered only by a fitted sheet.

  • 3Fitted crib sheetWhy?

    3 fitted crib sheets: one on the mattress, one in the wash and spares for nights when the diaper leaks; you do laundry every two days.

  • 2Waterproof mattress coverWhy?

    2 waterproof mattress covers: one on the mattress and one in the wash.

  • 2Wearable blanket (sleep sack)Why?

    2 wearable blankets: keeps your baby warm without a blanket in the crib; with cold (February, March, April, and May), mild (June), and hot (July and August) weather in New York City in the first months, choose the TOG by your room temperature. Your home is heated in winter, so cold months count as mild for clothes worn indoors.

  • 3Swaddle (blanket or wearable)Why?

    3 swaddles: for the first weeks, until your baby tries to roll; you do laundry every two days.

  • 3Baby blanket (for holding and outings)Why?

    3 baby blankets: for holding and outings, with cold (February, March, April, and May), mild (June), and hot (July and August) weather in New York City in the first months.

Bath and hygiene

  • 1Baby bathtubWhy?

    1 baby bathtub: one per home is enough, even with twins (one bath at a time).

  • 2Hooded towelWhy?

    2 hooded towels: one in use, one in the wash and one spare; you do laundry every two days.

  • 1Mild baby washWhy?

    1 bottle of baby wash: a bottle lasts weeks at first; buy more when you open the last one.

  • 1Baby nail file and clippers (or rounded scissors)Why?

    1 nail care kit: one per home is enough.

  • 1Cotton balls or pads (optional)Why?

    1 pack of cotton balls: optional; buy more as you go.

Diapering

  • 348Disposable diapersNWhy?

    348 size N diapers (about 3 packs): your baby will likely wear this size for about 5 weeks, with 8 to 12 changes a day.

  • 3Fragrance-free baby wipesWhy?

    3 packs of wipes: for the first weeks; Pampers says newborns may need about 20 to 30 wipes a day, so buy more as you go.

  • 1Diaper rash barrier creamWhy?

    1 tube of diaper cream: a tube lasts weeks at first; buy more when it runs low.

  • 1Portable changing padWhy?

    1 portable changing pad: it stays in the diaper bag.

  • 1Changing pad (for a dresser)Why?

    1 changing pad: saves your back at changing time.

Out and about

  • 1Infant car seat (rear-facing)Why?

    1 infant car seat: your baby should ride rear-facing from the first ride home from the hospital.

  • 1Diaper bagWhy?

    1 diaper bag: goes on every outing; it can be the hospital bag too.

  • 1Mosquito net for stroller and carrier (optional)Why?

    1 mosquito net: optional, for mosquito season in the first months, with cold (February, March, April, and May), mild (June), and hot (July and August) weather in New York City.

Feeding

  • 7Burp clothWhy?

    7 burp cloths: three or four a day go in the wash; you do laundry every two days.

  • 1Nursing pillow (optional)Why?

    1 nursing pillow: optional, for mom's comfort; it stays out of the crib.

Nursery

  • 1Room thermometerWhy?

    1 room thermometer: sleepwear and the sleep sack's TOG are chosen by the room temperature.

  • 1Dim night lightWhy?

    1 night light: for night feeds, without turning on the bright light.

  • 1Laundry hamperWhy?

    1 laundry hamper: helps you keep your laundry routine.

Health

  • 1Digital thermometerWhy?

    1 digital thermometer: one per home, instead of a mercury thermometer.

  • 1Saline nose dropsWhy?

    1 bottle of saline drops: to have at home; use as your baby's doctor advises.

Hospital bag

  • 1Coming-home outfitWhy?

    1 coming-home outfit: the outfit for the ride home, planned for the weather of the birth month in New York City.

  • 1Hospital bagWhy?

    1 hospital bag: it can be the diaper bag, if everything fits.

For mom

  • 2Nursing braWhy?

    2 nursing bras: one on, one in the wash and one spare; you do laundry every two days.

  • 1Nursing padsWhy?

    1 box of nursing pads: for the first weeks; not every mom needs them.

  • 3Postpartum padsWhy?

    3 packs of postpartum pads: for the hospital and the first weeks at home.

  • 4High-waist cotton underwearWhy?

    4 pairs of underwear: two a day in the first weeks; you do laundry every two days.

  • 2Nursing nightgown or pajamasWhy?

    2 nursing nightgowns or pajamas: for the hospital and nights at home; you do laundry every two days.

Phase 2: Up to 6 months

27 items

Clothes

  • 3Short-sleeve bodysuit3MWhy?

    3 short-sleeve bodysuits: your baby will wear size 3M · 0 to 3 months between March and May, with cold weather in New York City, and you do laundry every two days. Your home is heated in winter, so cold months count as mild for clothes worn indoors.

  • 3Short-sleeve bodysuit6MWhy?

    3 short-sleeve bodysuits: your baby will wear size 6M · 3 to 6 months between May and August, with cold (May), mild (June), and hot (July and August) weather in New York City, and you do laundry every two days. Your home is heated in winter, so cold months count as mild for clothes worn indoors.

  • 3Long-sleeve bodysuit3MWhy?

    3 long-sleeve bodysuits: your baby will wear size 3M · 0 to 3 months between March and May, with cold weather in New York City, and you do laundry every two days. Your home is heated in winter, so cold months count as mild for clothes worn indoors.

  • 2Long-sleeve bodysuit6MWhy?

    2 long-sleeve bodysuits: your baby will wear size 6M · 3 to 6 months between May and August, with cold (May), mild (June), and hot (July and August) weather in New York City, and you do laundry every two days. Your home is heated in winter, so cold months count as mild for clothes worn indoors.

  • 3Sleeper or footie (long sleeves and legs)3MWhy?

    3 sleepers: your baby will wear size 3M · 0 to 3 months between March and May, with cold weather in New York City, and you do laundry every two days. Your home is heated in winter, so cold months count as mild for clothes worn indoors.

  • 2Sleeper or footie (long sleeves and legs)6MWhy?

    2 sleepers: your baby will wear size 6M · 3 to 6 months between May and August, with cold (May), mild (June), and hot (July and August) weather in New York City, and you do laundry every two days. Your home is heated in winter, so cold months count as mild for clothes worn indoors.

  • 2Short-sleeve romper3MWhy?

    2 short-sleeve rompers: your baby will wear size 3M · 0 to 3 months between March and May, with cold weather in New York City, and you do laundry every two days. Your home is heated in winter, so cold months count as mild for clothes worn indoors.

  • 3Short-sleeve romper6MWhy?

    3 short-sleeve rompers: your baby will wear size 6M · 3 to 6 months between May and August, with cold (May), mild (June), and hot (July and August) weather in New York City, and you do laundry every two days. Your home is heated in winter, so cold months count as mild for clothes worn indoors.

  • 1Fleece or plush sleeper3MWhy?

    1 fleece sleeper: your baby will wear size 3M · 0 to 3 months between March and May, with cold weather in New York City, and you do laundry every two days. Your home is heated in winter, so cold months count as mild for clothes worn indoors.

  • 1Fleece or plush sleeper6MWhy?

    1 fleece sleeper: your baby will wear size 6M · 3 to 6 months between May and August, with cold (May), mild (June), and hot (July and August) weather in New York City, and you do laundry every two days. Your home is heated in winter, so cold months count as mild for clothes worn indoors.

  • 2Footed or pull-on pants3MWhy?

    2 pairs of pants: your baby will wear size 3M · 0 to 3 months between March and May, with cold weather in New York City, and you do laundry every two days. Your home is heated in winter, so cold months count as mild for clothes worn indoors.

  • 2Footed or pull-on pants6MWhy?

    2 pairs of pants: your baby will wear size 6M · 3 to 6 months between May and August, with cold (May), mild (June), and hot (July and August) weather in New York City, and you do laundry every two days. Your home is heated in winter, so cold months count as mild for clothes worn indoors.

  • 3Cardigan or light jacket3MWhy?

    3 cardigans or light jackets: your baby will wear size 3M · 0 to 3 months between March and May, with cold weather in New York City.

  • 2Cardigan or light jacket6MWhy?

    2 cardigans or light jackets: your baby will wear size 6M · 3 to 6 months between May and August, with cold (May), mild (June), and hot (July and August) weather in New York City.

  • 3Socks3MWhy?

    3 pairs of socks: your baby will wear size 3M · 0 to 3 months between March and May, with cold weather in New York City, and you do laundry every two days. Your home is heated in winter, so cold months count as mild for clothes worn indoors.

  • 3Socks6MWhy?

    3 pairs of socks: your baby will wear size 6M · 3 to 6 months between May and August, with cold (May), mild (June), and hot (July and August) weather in New York City, and you do laundry every two days. Your home is heated in winter, so cold months count as mild for clothes worn indoors.

  • 1Scratch mittens (optional)3MWhy?

    1 pair of scratch mittens: optional, for the first weeks. Short, filed nails are the alternative.

  • 2Knit hat (for going out in the cold)3MWhy?

    2 knit hats: for going out on cold days; your baby will wear size 3M · 0 to 3 months between March and May, with cold weather in New York City.

  • 1Knit hat (for going out in the cold)6MWhy?

    1 knit hat: for going out on cold days; your baby will wear size 6M · 3 to 6 months between May and August, with cold (May), mild (June), and hot (July and August) weather in New York City.

  • 1Sun hat (optional)6MWhy?

    1 sun hat: optional, for walks in the shade in the hot months.

Bath and hygiene

  • 1Soft baby hairbrush (optional)Why?

    1 soft hairbrush: optional.

Diapering

  • 530Disposable diapers1Why?

    530 size 1 diapers (about 4 packs): your baby will likely wear this size for about 10 weeks, with 6 to 10 changes a day.

  • 554Disposable diapers2Why?

    554 size 2 diapers (about 5 packs): your baby will likely wear this size for about 11 weeks, with 5 to 9 changes a day.

Out and about

  • 1StrollerWhy?

    1 stroller: for walks; in the essential list it is optional, because holding and a carrier also work.

Feeding

  • 2Drool bibWhy?

    2 drool bibs: for the drooling phase; you do laundry every two days.

Nursery

  • 1Dresser (optional)Why?

    1 dresser: optional; a closet you already have also works.

Health

  • 1Oral syringe (no needle)Why?

    1 oral syringe: to measure liquid medicine exactly, when prescribed.

Later

14 items

Clothes

  • 3Short-sleeve bodysuit9MWhy?

    3 short-sleeve bodysuits: your baby will wear size 9M · 6 to 9 months between August and December, with hot (August), mild (September), and cold (October, November, and December) weather in New York City, and you do laundry every two days. Your home is heated in winter, so cold months count as mild for clothes worn indoors.

  • 2Long-sleeve bodysuit9MWhy?

    2 long-sleeve bodysuits: your baby will wear size 9M · 6 to 9 months between August and December, with hot (August), mild (September), and cold (October, November, and December) weather in New York City, and you do laundry every two days. Your home is heated in winter, so cold months count as mild for clothes worn indoors.

  • 2Sleeper or footie (long sleeves and legs)9MWhy?

    2 sleepers: your baby will wear size 9M · 6 to 9 months between August and December, with hot (August), mild (September), and cold (October, November, and December) weather in New York City, and you do laundry every two days. Your home is heated in winter, so cold months count as mild for clothes worn indoors.

  • 2Short-sleeve romper9MWhy?

    2 short-sleeve rompers: your baby will wear size 9M · 6 to 9 months between August and December, with hot (August), mild (September), and cold (October, November, and December) weather in New York City, and you do laundry every two days. Your home is heated in winter, so cold months count as mild for clothes worn indoors.

  • 1Fleece or plush sleeper9MWhy?

    1 fleece sleeper: your baby will wear size 9M · 6 to 9 months between August and December, with hot (August), mild (September), and cold (October, November, and December) weather in New York City, and you do laundry every two days. Your home is heated in winter, so cold months count as mild for clothes worn indoors.

  • 3Footed or pull-on pants9MWhy?

    3 pairs of pants: your baby will wear size 9M · 6 to 9 months between August and December, with hot (August), mild (September), and cold (October, November, and December) weather in New York City, and you do laundry every two days. Your home is heated in winter, so cold months count as mild for clothes worn indoors.

  • 3Cardigan or light jacket9MWhy?

    3 cardigans or light jackets: your baby will wear size 9M · 6 to 9 months between August and December, with hot (August), mild (September), and cold (October, November, and December) weather in New York City.

  • 3Socks9MWhy?

    3 pairs of socks: your baby will wear size 9M · 6 to 9 months between August and December, with hot (August), mild (September), and cold (October, November, and December) weather in New York City, and you do laundry every two days. Your home is heated in winter, so cold months count as mild for clothes worn indoors.

  • 2Knit hat (for going out in the cold)9MWhy?

    2 knit hats: for going out on cold days; your baby will wear size 9M · 6 to 9 months between August and December, with hot (August), mild (September), and cold (October, November, and December) weather in New York City.

  • 1Sun hat (optional)9MWhy?

    1 sun hat: optional, for walks in the shade in the hot months.

Feeding

  • 1High chairWhy?

    1 high chair: for starting solids.

  • 1Baby plate, spoon and cup (optional)Why?

    1 plate, spoon and cup set: optional; your own dishes work if the spoon fits your baby's mouth.

  • 2Feeding bibWhy?

    2 feeding bibs: one per meal of the day, plus one in the wash.

Nursery

  • 1Outlet covers and cabinet latchesWhy?

    1 childproofing kit: before your baby starts to move around.

What a mild month changes

Sizes NB and 3M together, balanced amounts, laundry every two days, with a dryer and a home heated in winter, the answers Cotokim's list starts with in the US:

PieceCold monthsMild monthsHot months
Short-sleeve bodysuits559
Long-sleeve bodysuits552
Sleepers552
Short-sleeve rompers336
Fleece sleepers110
Pants442
Cardigans or light jackets642
Knit hats, for going out420
Socks (pairs)664
All pieces332923

In a heated home, a cold month and a mild one get the same clothes for indoors. What the cold adds is gear for going out: 2 more cardigans and 2 more knit hats. A hot month moves the list to short sleeves and rompers, with 6 fewer pieces than a mild one. The table counts whole months of one kind. When the weeks of a size fall in two kinds of month, the list weighs each piece by the days in each kind and rounds up, so a mix can come out a little above either column.

Most US homes have heating: in the Energy Information Administration's 2020 survey, 117.74 million of the 123.53 million homes used space heating equipment 5. So Cotokim's list asks how your home is in winter and starts with "heated". With a heated home, the clothes for indoors count cold months as mild, and only the clothes for going out follow the weather. That rule is Cotokim's. If your home stays cool in the cold months, the indoor clothes follow the cold too: all size NB clothes for cold months go from 14 pieces and 5 pairs to 20 pieces and 6 pairs, and all size 3M clothes from 19 pieces and 4 pairs to 20 pieces and 5 pairs.

The list also starts with a dryer: in the same survey, 102.32 million of the 123.53 million US homes had a clothes dryer 6. With laundry every two days, the math counts 2 days of clothes in use with a dryer and 3 without one. Without a dryer, all size 3M clothes for mild months go from 17 pieces and 4 pairs to 21 pieces and 5 pairs.

In-between days, safely

  • Dress for the room, not the season. Dress your baby for the temperature of the room 7. A spring or fall day can swing: in New York City, the average April low is 46 °F (7.5 °C) and the average April high is 62 °F (16.6 °C) 1.
  • Watch for signs of heat. Sweating, flushed or hot skin, or a chest that feels hot to the touch are signs that your baby is too hot 7. The CDC lists sweating and a hot chest too 2.
  • Indoors, take the hat off. Wearing a hat indoors can make your baby too hot 7. The knit hats on the list are for going out.
  • In the car seat, thin layers. NHTSA says bulky clothing or blankets can prevent a snug harness fit: buckle your baby in first, and then place coats or blankets over the harness 3. On cold days, pick thin, warm layers, and add the blanket or coat after the harness is snug 4.
  • For sleep, no blankets in the crib. Keep comforters, quilts, pillows and blankets out of the sleep area 7. For warmth, a wearable blanket or an extra layer of clothing 7.
  • On walks, shade and netting. The FDA recommends keeping babies younger than 6 months out of direct sunlight, in the shade of a tree, an umbrella or the stroller canopy 8, and talking to your pediatrician before using any sunscreen on your baby 8. The CDC says not to use insect repellent on babies younger than 2 months: dress them in clothing that covers arms and legs, and cover the stroller and the carrier with mosquito netting 9.
More layers are not safer. Too many layers of clothes and bedding for the room temperature can overheat a baby, and overheated babies are at higher risk of SIDS 7. The crib holds nothing but a fitted sheet 10. In the car seat, nothing bulky under the harness 3. The cutoffs and amounts on this page are a Cotokim proposal. Checked by the Cotokim team against the sources on this page. It does not replace advice from the health care team that looks after you and your baby.

What this data does not tell you

The temperatures are typical weather, the average of many years, not a forecast: a fall or spring week can come in warmer or colder. The four cities and the April 15 and October 15 birth dates are examples. A baby born a few weeks earlier or later wears each size in other weeks, and the count can change, so the tool does the math for your due date and your city. The list also assumes a dryer and laundry every two days; you can change both answers.

Frequently asked questions

What should a newborn wear in the fall?

Dress your baby for the room 7 and check for signs of heat 7. Cotokim's proposal for the day, in a room at 68 to 72 °F (20 to 22 °C): Bodysuit, short or long sleeve, with pants or a light sleeper. In a cooler room at 64 to 68 °F (18 to 20 °C): Long-sleeve bodysuit with a sleeper or pants, and socks. A cardigan if your baby's chest feels cool. On Cotokim's list, the knit hats are for going out, and the hat comes off indoors 7.

Short sleeves or long sleeves for a spring baby?

It depends on your city. For a baby born on April 15, 2027, the bodysuits in size 3M are 5 short-sleeve and 1 long-sleeve in Houston, and 3 and 3 in Chicago. The tool above does the math for your due date.

Does a fall baby need a snowsuit?

Cotokim's list adds a snowsuit or bunting only for the months your baby will go out when the average low is below freezing, a Cotokim rule. For a newborn, it is size 3M · 0 to 3 months, worn over the clothes for going out, and it also covers the weeks in NB: see do I need a snowsuit for my newborn. It comes off before you buckle the car seat: NHTSA says bulky clothing or blankets can prevent a snug harness fit 3. Of the 100 cities, 64 have at least one month with an average low below freezing 1. December's average low is 25 °F (-3.8 °C) in Chicago and 46 °F (7.8 °C) in Houston 1.

How warm should the nursery be in spring or fall?

We found no room temperature in degrees in the US government safe sleep pages we read. They ask you to dress your baby for the room 7 and to keep the crib clear 10. Cotokim's proposal for each room temperature is on what to dress baby in.

What if my baby is due in September, November, March or May?

Then the weeks in each size move, and the count can change from one week to the next. Enter your due date and city in the tool above, or open your city's page for the weather month by month.

Data sources

Climate normals: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 1. Our use of material from NOAA and the Energy Information Administration, including links to their websites, does not imply endorsement by NOAA, the Energy Information Administration or the U.S. Government of Cotokim or its service.

Source credits

Material from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is available at no charge on cdc.gov. Our use of it, including links to CDC pages, does not mean that the CDC, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) or the U.S. Government endorses Cotokim. Reference to specific commercial products, manufacturers, companies, or trademarks does not constitute its endorsement or recommendation by the U.S. Government, Department of Health and Human Services, or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Courtesy: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Safe to Sleep® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

We link to pages of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in our own words; this does not mean that the CPSC endorses Cotokim.

We link to pages of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in our own words; this does not mean that the NHTSA endorses Cotokim.

Our use of material from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), including links to its website, does not imply endorsement by the FDA or the U.S. Government of Cotokim or its service.

Written by the Cotokim teamChecked by the Cotokim team against the sources on this page, on October 15, 2026

Sources

  1. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020). Read on October 13, 2026.
  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Providing Care for Babies to Sleep Safely. Read on October 14, 2026.
  3. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), How to Install Rear-Facing Car Seats. Read on October 14, 2026.
  4. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Winter Weather Driving Tips: Prepare Your Vehicle. Read on October 14, 2026.
  5. U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), Residential Energy Consumption Survey 2020, Table HC6.1: Space heating in U.S. homes, by housing unit type, 2020. Read on October 14, 2026.
  6. U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), Residential Energy Consumption Survey 2020, Table HC3.1: Appliances in U.S. homes, by housing unit type, 2020. Read on October 14, 2026.
  7. Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), NIH, Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk (Safe to Sleep). Read on October 14, 2026.
  8. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Should You Put Sunscreen on Infants? Not Usually. Read on October 14, 2026.
  9. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Mosquito Bite Prevention (United States). Read on October 11, 2026.
  10. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Safe Sleep: Cribs and Infant Products. Read on October 14, 2026.