Why does my baby cry when I dress them?

Crying at dressing time is common

If your baby cries every time you change their clothes, you are in good company. Being undressed is one of the few moments in the day when a baby is cold, exposed and handled in ways they can’t control. Some babies protest from the first week; others are calm as newborns and only start objecting once they can roll and would rather be doing something else.

The reasons tend to change as they grow, so it helps to work out which one fits your baby right now. Often it is more than one at once.

The usual reasons

• Cold air on bare skin. Babies notice the change in temperature, especially on winter mornings or in an air-conditioned room in summer.
• Something over the face. Tops going over the head are the biggest single trigger for many babies.
• Being on their back. From around four months, many babies would rather be rolling, sitting or looking around.
• Hunger or tiredness. A change right before a feed or a nap often ends in tears whatever you do.
• Tight fastenings or tugging. Snaps pulled across a full nappy, a small neckline or a sleeve dragged over the hand can pinch.
• Boredom. Older babies want to move, and dressing stops them.

Small changes that help

• Warm the room a little first, or keep them under a light blanket and uncover one part at a time.
• Use front-opening sleepsuits or tops with shoulder buttons to avoid the over-the-head moment.
• Change them after a feed and a burp, not just before.
• Give them something to hold and something to look at.
• Talk to them the whole time, and use the same words and song each time so they know what is coming.
• Go up a size if clothes are becoming a squeeze. Our size guide lists length and weight for each size.

Clothes that cause fewer tears

Soft, stretchy knits are easier to put on than stiff fabrics, and every fastening that opens fully makes the job shorter. A footed sleepsuit with snaps down the front, like the Sky Blue Striped Elephant Footed Sleepsuit, goes on without anything passing over the face: lay your baby on it and close it up.

For daytime, a henley set such as the Sage Waffle-Knit Henley & Jogger Set has a buttoned neck that opens wider than a plain top, and separates mean you can change the bottom half without undressing the top. Our post on getting tops over your baby’s head without tears has step-by-step tips.

When crying might mean something else

Sometimes crying during dressing is a sign of discomfort that has nothing to do with the clothes. If your baby cries when a particular arm or leg is moved, flinches when touched in one place, has a rash under their clothes, or seems unwell or feverish, ask your doctor to check them. It is always fine to ask, and a doctor would rather see a baby who turns out to be well than miss something.

It usually passes

Most babies protest less as dressing becomes a familiar routine and as they start to take part, pushing an arm through or lifting a foot. Keep changes short, keep your voice calm, and don’t worry about doing a whole outfit if they are really upset: a clean nappy and a sleepsuit are enough until they settle.

Our guide on romper, sleepsuit, jumpsuit or dungarees explains which styles are quickest, and our growing baby page has ideas for each stage, from rolling to toddlers who want to do it themselves.

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