The Sims 4: new clothing category and revamped toddlers in major update

EA has announced a major free update for The Sims 4, going live on May 12, 2026. The update includes significant changes to how babies and toddlers work in the game, as well as the introduction of a new clothing category: Base Layer.

Introduction of Base Layer

The new Base Layer items give Simmers a new way to customize their outfits. These items can be layered under other clothing pieces such as tops and pants. In total, the update introduces 14 Base Layer items, split into eight for adults, four for children, and two for toddlers. All items come with more than 380 color variants and should give Sims’ wardrobes a fresh look.

Improvements for toddlers and babies

Alongside the new clothing category, the update also brings improvements to toddler and baby care. The new Infant Playmat item lets Sims place their babies down comfortably instead of on the floor, making baby care easier. In addition, a number of bug fixes have been rolled out, including a fix for the issue where Sims refused to pick up their babies or toddlers.

Bug fixes and quality-of-life improvements

The update also addresses important quality-of-life improvements, including a fix for the so-called black photo bug. This issue caused photos of Sims to appear only as black images. Photos should now work properly, although the patch notes do not guarantee that existing issues will be fixed retroactively.

Other notable improvements include faster diaper-changing times, as well as adjustments to how quickly babies get hungry and need food. The changes are based on community feedback gathered through the EA Forums and other social channels.

Timeline

May 5, 2026: EA announces a major update for The Sims 4, including new clothing gameplay.
May 12, 2026: The update goes live with a total of 14 Base Layer items and improvements to baby and toddler gameplay.

This update reflects EA’s ongoing commitment to improving the Simmers experience and refining gameplay based on direct feedback. By adding new features and fixing bugs, the developer hopes to deliver a smoother, more intuitive gameplay experience.

For more detailed information on the changes and additions, players can check the full patch notes, which will be available on the release date.