How To Dress Babies For Sleep (At Different Temperatures)?

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Although it may sound like a basic question, many parents may think about how to dress babies for sleep to ensure they and their baby can have a good night’s sleep. A baby can sleep well in a safe and comfortable sleep environment that is neither too hot nor too cold. The baby’s bedtime attire is important to create the desired comfort.

Want to know what kind of dressing is ideal for bedtime? Read the post to get all the important tips about dressing your baby to sleep.

What Should A Baby Wear To Sleep?

The thumb rule is to dress your baby according to the room temperature. The baby nightwear or dress in which the infant feels comfortable and safe is considered the right choice. Experts recommend adding one layer to the dress your baby finds comfortable wearing. Here are a few basic rules for dressing your little one (1), (2), (3), (4).

• Prefer layers: Consider dressing your baby in layers of comfortable clothing rather than one thick pajama. It is advisable to add or reduce the layers as the ambient temperature changes.

• Avoid beanies or headgear: Babies can overheat pretty quickly when they sleep wearing beanies or headgear. It can also be a suffocation hazard. Therefore, keep their head and face uncovered when sleeping.

• Avoid loose clothes around the neck: Never put the baby to sleep in nightgows that are loose around the neck as these can cause choking or suffocation.  A one-piece with built-in feet is a good option.

• Opt for a safe sleeping bag: An appropriately sized sleeping bag is an ideal choice to keep your baby’s head and face uncovered while sleeping. These bags can help avoid overheating, rolling on the stomach, and hanging of legs outside of the cot. You could also choose sleep sacks that are without a hood and are fitted around the neck; these facilitate arm movement and do not allow the baby to slip inside. Depending on the TOG (thermal overall grade), you may choose a sleeping bag for different temperatures.
  

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Point to consider

According to the UK Lullaby Trust, a sleeping bag should be used for babies weighing around 8.8lbs or 4kg (7).

• Use breathable fabrics: Put younger babies in a breathable, lightweight fabric, such as cotton or muslin, when swaddling or wrapping. Avoid wrapping babies as soon as they start showing signs of rolling over. If you plan to use blankets or sheets, make sure they are also breathable and lightweight.

A mom and blogger, Anna Western, stresses the importance of selecting weather-appropriate baby clothes. She explains, “I think the most important thing about baby clothes is how they relate to sleep. You really don’t want your baby to overheat or be too cold while sleeping, so deciding what they should wear to sleep is important. We found that when she (Anna’s daughter) was being swaddled in the muslin blankets, she needed a cotton onesie with feet and long sleeves. And when we started swaddling her in the Halo, we switched to a short-sleeved onesie without legs because that swaddle is warm and holds more heat (i).”

Ideal Sleeping Temperature For Babies

Babies are highly susceptible to changes in temperature because their bodies are small and still undergoing development. Researchers believe that by the time babies are 11 weeks old, they reach their minimum core body temperature (97.5℉ or 36.4℃) like adults within four hours of bedtime (5). Here are a few things you need to know about the ideal sleeping temperature for babies (3), (4), (5).

Baby’s temperature

• Babies regulate their body temperature through the head and face.

• You might feel that your baby’s feet and hands are cool, but this isn’t the best indication of their temperature. You may figure out your baby’s temperature by touching your baby’s stomach, back, or back of the neck.

Room temperature

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• The ideal room temperature for babies is up to 69℉ or 20.5℃.

• A room that is too warm or hot can increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention highlights that the incidence rate of SIDS in the United States is 41%.

It is important to ensure that your baby sleeps on the back, is not underdressed or overdressed for the room. Dress them according to the room temperature, and keep their face and head uncovered.

Quick fact

Premature babies may have more issues keeping themselves warm. Thus, it’s appropriate to dress them a little more warmly (8).

How To Dress A Baby For Sleep In The Summer?

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While dressing your baby in summers, consider the following (2, 3, 4):

• When it gets toastier, make sure you dress the baby such that their skin doesn’t feel hot or sticky.

• Use lightweight, breathable natural fabrics (cotton or muslin).

• Dress them in sleeveless or legless onesies or in a diaper and a singlet.

• If your baby’s room is too hot, you may use a ceiling or floor fan to control the temperature. It is advised to keep the plug-in of the fan away from the baby, preferably on the opposite side of the room.

• If the baby fusses, even after all their needs are met, check their clothing to rule out any discomfort.

How To Dress A Baby For Sleep In The Winter?

• While dressing your baby in winters, consider the following (2, 3, 4):

• Adding layers is the way to go in winters to keep your baby comfortable.

• Avoid using beanies or headgear (hats) while sleeping, as it may cause overheating. Also, you may remove extra clothing if indoors or in a warm vehicle.

• A full suit can keep your baby warm and comfortable.

• You may use sheets and blankets that are lightweight and breathable.

Did you know?

A folded blanket is counted as two blankets (9). So, be careful while using blankets for your little one, even during winter.

• If the room is too cold, use a room heater for a comfortable temperature. Maintain humidity in the room. Do not use electric blankets or hot water bottles. Also, keep the door slightly open to avoid overheating.

• A sleep sack is another good option to keep them cozy and warm. Sleep sacks of 2 tog are preferred for the winter and fall months.

Dressing Babies For Sleep In A 70-Degree Room

When your baby sleeps in a 70℉ room, you may use a sleep sack of 1 tog, a long sleeve pajama, and a onesie. For younger babies, you can use a lightweight swaddle (2).

Dressing Babies At Different Temperatures

Based on the different room or nursery temperatures, dress your baby in the following ways during sleep (2).

• Less than 16℃/60℉: Long sleeve pajama, mittens, socks, long sleeve onesie, and light sleep sack (2 tog)

• 16—17℃/61—63℉: Long sleeve pajama, long sleeve onesie, light sleep sack (2 togs), and socks

• 18—19℃/64—68℉: Long sleeve pajama, long sleeve onesie, and light sleep sack (1 tog)

• 20—21℃/69—70℉: Long sleeve pajama, onesie, and light sleep sack (1 tog)

• 22—23℃/71—74℉: Long sleeve pajama and light sleep sack (0.5 tog)

• 24—25℃/75—77℉: Light sleep sack (0.5 tog) and onesie

• 26℃/78℉: Onesie

• 27℃/80℉: A diaper or nappy alone would suffice
  

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How To Keep A Baby Warm At Night?

Overheating at night may increase the risk of SIDS. Therefore, it is important not to overdress the baby. Here are a few tips that you can follow.

• As a general rule, dress your baby in clothes that can be easily removed when there is a change in temperature or a need for a diaper change.

• Avoid any loose blankets, quilts, pillows, or soft toys that can be a suffocation hazard.

• Add one extra layer to what you are comfortable wearing in a particular environment.

• Choose safe sleep sacks or wearable blankets of natural, breathable material over blankets.

• Swaddling in a lightweight, breathable material can give your baby extra warmth. However, stop this once your baby shows signs of rolling over — this usually happens at two to four months.

According to Dr. Zeeshan Afzal, specialty registrar from Cambridge, UK, “Swaddling can be helpful for newborns who have not yet developed strong motor control and startle reflexes, but it may not be required for all babies. If your baby dislikes swaddling, you can try using a sleep sack or wearable blanket to provide a cozy and secure sleeping environment. You can also try soothing techniques like white noise, gentle rocking, or a pacifier.”

• • Image: Shutterstock
    • • In freezing climates, it is advisable to invest in thermal curtains and external doors.
    • • In case you opt for blankets, make sure they are lightweight, breathable, and small so that they do not cause choking or get tangled around the baby. The material can include cotton, hemp, cashmere, linen, silk, or wool.

Infographic: Things To Consider While Buying Sleepwear For Babies

Your baby should be comfortable in their sleepwear, making it essential to pick the right clothing for their sound sleep. Before buying one, give this infographic a read to know what you should be looking for in ideal baby sleepwear.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team

Learn how to swaddle your baby like a pro! Follow along in this video as a medical expert shows you the proper technique for keeping your little one safe and secure.

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Jennifer Renee ChuMSc

Jenn Chu is the owner and operator of Little Ones Welcome in San Francisco. She offers services in her private practice, and virtually. Her focus is on the health and wellbeing of the individual. She specializes in women's care with an emphasis on conception, pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and pediatric support. Jenn took her graduate degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine from...more

Dr. Ritika ShahBDS, CLC

Dr. Ritika Shah is a certified lactation counsellor (CLC) from iNational Health Care Academy, Singapore and a dental surgeon with more than seven years of clinical experience across various cities in India. She did her graduation in Dentistry from KM Shah Dental College. During her clinical practice, pediatric dentistry was her particular area of interest, and she constantly thrived to...more

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Rohit Garoo is a writer-turned-editor with over 9 years of experience in content writing, editing, and content marketing. He did his bachelors in Science at St. Xavier's College, Hyderabad, and masters in Business Administration at Osmania University. Also, he holds a certificate in Developmental Psychology from The University of Queensland and loves to expand his knowledge through certifications in various...more

Ghazia ShahMSc, MA, BEd

Ghazia is a scientist-turned-writer with three years of research experience in Cancer Biology. She did her masters degree in Biotechnology at the University of Kashmir and bachelors in Education at the same university. Ghazia then delved deeper into the science of language with a masters in English. With a Functional English certificate from Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), she...more