Dressing your baby, especially when very young and unable to regulate their own temperature, can feel very confusing. When baby-wearing, deciding what to put on your little one also means accounting for the way you and the sling will effect their body temperature too! So let's look at what you might want to consider:

You and your sling are providing warmth. With a structured sling, that might be adding the equivalent of one layer of clothing depending on the fabric but could be more. With a fabric sling, the way that you wrap it around your little one adds 3 layers. Then add your body and what you're wearing to the mix. You can check your little one's temperature by feeling the back of their neck. If they feel too hot or moist or if they're looking flushed then they are likely too hot. 

Layering using light fabrics means you can respond and adjust baby's outfit as needed rather than, for example, big thick items like snowsuits. In the summer, you may find it is warm enough for baby to be in just a nappy. You can then keep to the shade to avoid baby being in the sun and use light muslins tucked into the carrier to cover exposed legs when in the heat. In the winter, the rule generally for dressing your baby (outside of babywearing) is to give them one more layer than you're wearing...with babywearing, however, remember that (as mentioned above) you are a layer! So, yes, if very cold, below around 7 degrees centigrade, you should probably add a cardigan or jumper to their layers, however, above this, they're probably ok in their indoor clothes plus leg warmers and booties and your warmth and coat!

Remember to protect baby's head. Both in the summer sun and the winter cold, you will likely want to make sure the top of baby's head is covered either with a light sunhat that shades the face too or a warm hat for winter. 

If it's warm, baby's feet can be bare. While you'll want to ensure those tiny toes don't get too cold in the winter months, with socks, booties and maybe even leg warmers or a pair of adult socks that cover the entire leg, in the summer (when the weather is actually warm...) you may find you don't need socks for your little one. If you're not wearing socks (i.e. if wearing sandals) then baby will likely not want to be wearing them either. Nobody likes having sweaty feet

A Babywearing coat is a useful addition to your babywearing wardrobe as well as any of the jumper open layers i.e. cardigans, jackets, hoodies etc. you may have sized up on when pregnant. You can then do up this layer you're wearing around your baby adding extra warmth on cold days! There are companies out there specifically selling coats for babywearing but if you already have your own larger items that can accomodate you and your baby, then crack on!

Check baby has space for their toes. I don't know about you but babygrows are often the go-to for most of the young baby's I work with! There is no reason you can't keep dressing baby in these - if weather appropriate - as long as you just make sure, as they grow, you check there is still room for their toes to wiggle. I'd say that generally about babygrows in and out of the babycarrier but it's useful to check when they may be restricted slightly from wriggling and getting those toes more comfortable. The more space there is at the end for those piggies, the better. Alternatively, just go for a footless version and socks!

These are my thoughts for now...If I think of more, I'll be back and if you think of any or want to chat all things babywearing, get in touch!