Herbie Murray
Newborns sleep a lot—up to 18 or 19 hours a day—but they wake up every few hours to eat. So, how do you make sure they're comfortable and safe while they sleep? Newborns should sleep in a cot or Moses basket in the same room as their parents for the first six months. They should be placed on their back, in a 'feet to foot' position, with their feet at the end of the cot or basket. Their mattress should be firm, flat, and waterproof, and their heads should be uncovered. The ideal room temperature is between 16°C and 22°C, and they should be dressed in one more layer than an adult would wear. Swaddling can help to soothe a crying baby, but it's important to stop swaddling when they start trying to roll over.
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What You'll Learn
Safe room temperature for newborns
Keeping your newborn safe is your first priority. Creating a safe sleep environment can help reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related deaths.
It is important to keep your newborn's room at a stable temperature that is not too hot or cold. The ideal room temperature for a newborn is between 68°F and 72°F (20°C - 22°C). This temperature range is generally considered safe and comfortable for newborns and can help lower the risk of SIDS. Newborns are sensitive to temperature changes, and their bodies are still growing and learning to regulate temperature.
To check if your newborn is too warm, touch the back of their neck or their chest and ears to test their skin temperature. If their neck is sweaty or their cheeks are flushed, they are probably too warm. You can also monitor the temperature in their room with a thermometer or thermostat. While it is not necessary to constantly monitor the temperature, it is important to ensure your newborn is dressed appropriately for the weather and the temperature of their room.
In warmer weather, consider using a fan in their room to circulate the air, but do not point it directly at the baby. You can also keep the window or door open to let in fresh air and keep them cool. When the weather is cooler, use light, breathable blankets, and add or remove layers as needed. As a general rule, your newborn should wear one more layer than you.
Remember, it is better for a newborn to be slightly cold than too hot, as overheating is linked to an increased risk of SIDS.
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Safe clothing for sleep
Keeping your baby safe while they sleep is a top priority for parents. Here are some tips for ensuring your newborn sleeps safely:
It is important to keep your baby comfortable and safe while they sleep. Dressing a baby for sleep involves keeping them warm without the risk of overheating. The ideal room temperature for a baby's room is between 68° and 72°F (20-22°C). If the temperature in your home is outside this range, you can adjust by adding or removing a layer of clothing. As a general rule, put your baby in one additional layer than you would wear yourself.
Babies should not sleep with loose sheets or blankets, and their heads should be kept uncovered. If you use a blanket, make sure it is tucked in no higher than their shoulders. Avoid all loose items, such as hats, mittens, hair bows, and pacifier clips, as these can be unsafe if they cover your baby's face and inhibit breathing.
Swaddling, or wrapping a baby snugly in a thin blanket, can help soothe a crying baby and may help them sleep. However, it is important to consider the potential risks of swaddling. It can be dangerous once a baby starts rolling over on their own, as it is difficult for them to turn back over if they end up face-down. If you choose to swaddle your baby, make sure it is not too tight, as this can restrict their leg movement and affect hip development. Stop swaddling when your baby starts trying to roll over.
If you use a sleeping bag, ensure it fits well around your baby's shoulders to prevent their head from slipping down into the bag. Make sure your baby meets the minimum height and weight for each bag size.
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Safe bedding and blankets
Room Temperature
It is important to maintain a comfortable room temperature for your baby's sleep. The ideal temperature range is between 68°F and 72°F (20°C - 22°C). However, it is worth noting that different homes have different temperatures, and babies can still be comfortable outside of this recommended range as long as they are dressed appropriately. Keep in mind that overheating has been linked to an increased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Therefore, it is generally better to have your baby slightly underdressed than heavily overdressed.
Bedding and Blankets
When it comes to bedding and blankets, there are a few safety guidelines to follow:
- Avoid loose bedding and blankets. Keep the crib free from pillows, soft bedding, cot bumpers, and soft toys.
- If using a blanket, tuck it in no higher than your baby's shoulders.
- Do not cover your baby's face or head while sleeping. Hats, in particular, should be avoided as they can slip down and cover the baby's face, inhibiting breathing.
- Swaddling, which involves wrapping the baby in a light blanket, can be a soothing technique. However, it should be discontinued once the baby starts trying to roll over. Additionally, ensure that the swaddle is not too tight, as it may restrict leg movement necessary for hip development.
- If using a sleeping bag, ensure it fits well around the shoulders to prevent the baby's head from slipping down into the bag.
- Avoid weighted blankets, sleepers, or swaddles.
Sleep Surface
Place your baby on their back to sleep on a firm, flat, waterproof mattress in good condition. The "feet to foot" position is recommended, with the baby's feet at the end of the crib or Moses basket.
Remember, creating a safe sleep environment is crucial to reducing the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related infant deaths. Always follow the guidance of trusted sources, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), to ensure your baby's sleep environment is as safe as possible.
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Safe sleeping positions
Back sleeping
It is recommended that babies sleep on their backs for every sleep, including naps. This is the safest position to reduce the risk of SIDS. If your baby was born prematurely and spent time in a neonatal unit, they may have slept on their front for medical reasons under constant monitoring. However, once you get home, it is essential to put your baby to sleep on their back.
Feet-to-foot position
When placing your baby in a cot or Moses basket, use the 'feet to foot' position. This means placing your baby with their feet at the end of the cot or basket, not the head. This helps to prevent them from wriggling down under the covers and reduces the risk of overheating.
Room-sharing without bed-sharing
For the first six months, it is recommended that your baby sleeps in the same room as you, in a separate cot or Moses basket. Room-sharing has been shown to reduce the risk of SIDS by as much as 50%. However, it is important not to share a bed with your baby, especially if you or your partner smoke, drink alcohol, or take medications that make you drowsy. Bed-sharing can increase the risk of SIDS and accidental suffocation or strangulation.
Avoid loose bedding and accessories
Do not use loose blankets, sheets, or any type of bedding that could cover your baby's face and head. Keep the baby's head uncovered, and if using a blanket, tuck it in no higher than their shoulders. Remove all pillows, soft toys, and cot bumpers from the baby's sleep area. Avoid accessories like hats, hair bows, or pacifier clips, as these can be unsafe if they come loose while the baby is sleeping.
Swaddling
Swaddling, or wrapping the baby in a light blanket, can be a great way to soothe a crying baby and may help them sleep. However, it is important to do it safely. Do not swaddle too tightly, as it may restrict the baby's leg movement and affect their hip development. Stop swaddling when your baby starts trying to roll over, as it can be dangerous if they end up face-down.
Maintain a comfortable temperature
Overheating is a significant risk factor for SIDS. Keep the room temperature between 16-20°C (68-72°F). Dress your baby in one more layer than you would wear yourself. Feel their core to check their temperature; their chest, back, and tummy should feel warm but not sweaty. Avoid hats, as babies regulate their temperature through their head, and covering it can lead to overheating.
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How much sleep newborns need
Newborns generally sleep between 12 and 17 hours in a 24-hour period, with some sleeping up to 18 or 19 hours a day. They do not have established sleep-wake rhythms and do not know the difference between day and night. They sleep in short bursts, usually around 20 to 50 minutes long, and wake frequently to be fed, burped, changed, and soothed.
During the first few weeks, it is important to wake your baby every 3 to 4 hours to feed until they show good weight gain. After that, it is okay to let them sleep for longer periods at night. Newborns who sleep for longer stretches should still be awakened to feed.
It is recommended that newborns sleep on their back, on a firm surface free of soft toys, blankets, pillows, and bumpers. Swaddling, or wrapping the baby in a light blanket, can help soothe a crying baby. However, if your baby starts trying to roll over while swaddled, it is a sign to stop.
It is important to create positive sleep associations and avoid negative ones, such as holding your baby until they fall asleep, as this can result in them needing to be held to fall asleep. Room-sharing, where the baby's crib or bassinet is in the same room as the parents, is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) as a safe practice that helps with feeding, comforting, and monitoring at night. Bed-sharing, on the other hand, is not recommended as it increases the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) and other sleep-related deaths.
While it is important to ensure your baby is comfortable and not too hot or cold, overheating a baby is not safe. It is recommended to assess their core temperature by feeling their chest, neck, back, and tummy. Signs that your baby is too hot include a sweaty neck or hair, flushed cheeks, and a clammy or sweaty core.
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Frequently asked questions
The ideal room temperature for a newborn to sleep in is between 68° and 72°F (20-22°C). It is important to ensure that the baby does not get too hot or too cold, as overheating is linked to a greater risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
A newborn should sleep in a cot or Moses basket in the same room as their parents for the first 6 months. They should be placed on their back, in the 'feet to foot' position, with their feet at the end of the cot or basket. It is recommended that newborns are dressed in one more layer than an adult would wear and that they are swaddled in a thin blanket.
Newborns wake up every couple of hours to feed, and they should be fed every 2-4 hours. Bottle-fed babies tend to feed less often, every 3-4 hours, while breastfed babies feed more frequently, every 2-3 hours.
It is important to avoid loose items or clothing, such as hats, bows, or pacifier clips, as these can be a choking hazard. Additionally, do not use products that claim to lower the risk of SIDS, such as sleep positioners or monitors that detect a baby's heart rate and breathing pattern.
