Short answer: yes. Even in a warm winter, a baby under one year usually needs one light, breathable layer such as a thin cardigan or a sleeveless sweater vest when the AC is on at home or in the car. Keep it light, skip caps indoors, and check your baby's chest or the back of the neck rather than the hands to know whether they are comfortable.

This winter may not feel like winter in much of India. On 30 September 2026, the India Meteorological Department said strong El Niño conditions were present and that above-normal day and night temperatures were likely over most of the country in October (IMD press release). For many families, that means the AC stays on well past Diwali. And that is exactly where babies get caught out: the weather outside is warm, but the air around the baby is not.

Why a baby can feel cold in a warm city

Three things make an air-conditioned room or car colder for a baby than it feels to you:

• Moving air. AC air blows. A baby lying still under a vent loses heat faster than an adult who is walking around.
• Night-time drop. A room that feels pleasant at 10 pm can get much cooler by 3 am, when the baby is asleep and not moving.
• Small bodies. Babies are small, so they warm up and cool down faster than adults. We have written more about this in why babies can't keep themselves warm.

The opposite risk is just as real: overheating. That is why the goal is one light layer you can take off, not heavy woollens.

What should my baby wear with the AC on?

Since 2020, new star-rated ACs sold in India come with 24°C as the default setting (Business Today). Many families go lower. Use this as a starting guide, then check your baby:

The UK's Lullaby Trust, a leading safer-sleep charity, suggests a room of about 16–20°C for sleep with light bedding, and says babies do not need hats indoors (Lullaby Trust). Indian homes run warmer than that, which is why most babies here need only one layer even with the AC on.

How to tell if your baby is too hot or too cold

• Feel the chest or the back of the neck. Hands and feet are usually cooler and will mislead you.
• Too hot: sweaty neck, damp hair, flushed cheeks. Take a layer off.
• Too cold: cool chest or back of the neck. Add one light layer.
• No caps indoors, especially while sleeping. Babies release heat through their heads.
• If your baby is unwell or has a fever, don't bundle them up. Ask your paediatrician.

The car: the coldest five minutes of the day

Car AC is usually set low and points straight at the back seat. Two rules:

1. Thin layers only under the car-seat harness. Bulky clothing under the straps is unsafe, because padding can compress in a crash (American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org). A thin knit cardigan is fine; a puffy jacket is not.
2. Angle the vents away from the baby and take the layer off once you are out in the heat.

Malls, hospitals, flights and trains

Paediatric clinics, malls, cinemas, AC train coaches and flights are often colder than home. Keep one light front-open cardigan in the nappy bag. It takes up less space than a muslin and comes off in seconds when you step outside.

What to look for in an "AC sweater"

• Front-opening with buttons, so you can put it on or take it off without waking the baby or pulling anything over the head.
• Light knit, not thick woollens. You want a layer you can add and remove, not a blanket.
• Sleeveless vests for 24–25°C rooms: they keep the chest warm and leave the arms free.
• Soft at the neck, no scratchy tags.
• Machine or gentle hand wash. AC layers get worn daily, not just on cold days.

Our picks for AC season (all under ₹799)

• Under ₹599: sleeveless sweater vests and light cardigans, ideal for 24–25°C rooms.
• White Diamond Knit Cardigan: a front-open everyday layer for the car and clinic visits.
• Grey Checkered Sweater Vest: warm chest, free arms.
• Under ₹799: the full range of light layers, sizes 0–12 months.

All Little Angels knitwear is made in our own unit in Mumbai, by a team that has been making baby clothes since 2004. Trusted by 20,000+ parents last winter.

Frequently asked questions

Should a baby wear a sweater in an AC room?

Usually a light one, yes, if the AC is set at 25°C or below. Put a cotton layer next to the skin and a thin cardigan or vest on top. Check the chest or the back of the neck, and remove the layer if it feels sweaty.

What AC temperature is safe for a newborn in India?

Many families find 24–26°C comfortable for a newborn, with one light layer. Avoid pointing the airflow directly at the baby and check them during the night. If your baby was premature or is unwell, ask your paediatrician for advice specific to them.

Does my baby need a cap with the AC on?

Not indoors and not while sleeping. Babies lose heat through their heads, which helps them avoid overheating. A cap is for going out on genuinely cold days.

Can my baby wear a sweater in the car seat?

A thin, close-fitting knit cardigan is fine. Avoid puffy or thick jackets under the harness straps, because they can compress in a crash and leave the straps loose.

Do babies need sweaters if winter is warm this year?

Fewer and lighter ones. Instead of heavy sets, keep two or three light layers (a cardigan and a sleeveless vest) for AC rooms, cars, clinics and travel, plus one warmer set for the coldest nights or trips north.

This article is general information for parents, not medical advice. If you are worried about your baby's temperature, please speak to your paediatrician.