Ashwin Lewis
As a new parent, it is normal to worry about your baby's sleep, including what they wear to bed. It is crucial to dress your baby in clothing that helps them maintain a comfortable temperature throughout the night. Overheating is a significant concern, as it has been linked to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Loose items or clothing, such as hats, mittens, hair bows, and pacifier clips, are not considered safe for sleep. The ideal room temperature should be between 68° and 72°F, and you can adjust your baby's clothing accordingly. Generally, a two-piece cotton PJ set or a footed onesie with a muslin swaddle or a sleep sack should be sufficient.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of layers | One or two fitted layers. Generally, one additional layer than an adult would wear in the same environment. |
| Type of clothing | Onesies, footed pajamas, sleep sacks, wearable blankets, long sleep pants, and lightweight swaddle. |
| Room temperature | 68–72 °Fahrenheit (20–22 °Celsius). |
| Room-sharing | Baby should sleep in the same room as adults but on a separate sleeping surface for the first 6 to 12 months. |
| Sleeping position | Babies should always be placed on their backs to sleep, even for short naps. |
| Sleeping surface | Firm and flat surface with a fitted sheet. |
| Safety hazards | No loose items or clothing. No soft objects such as pillows, blankets, stuffed animals, or comforters. |
| Overheating | Avoid over-bundling. Check the baby's core temperature by feeling their chest, neck, back, and tummy. |
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What You'll Learn
Dress your baby in one more layer than you wear
When it comes to putting your baby to sleep, their safety and comfort are paramount. A general rule of thumb is to dress your baby for sleep in one additional layer than you would wear yourself. This is because babies should not sleep with loose sheets or blankets, which can pose a risk of suffocation or strangulation, and raise the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
The ideal room temperature for a baby to sleep in is between 68° and 72°F. If your home is colder than this, you can add an extra layer for your baby, such as a receiving blanket if swaddling, or a wearable sleep sack. On warmer nights, opt for lightweight, breathable sleepwear. A fitted onesie with sleep pants or a two-piece cotton PJ set is a good option.
It's important to monitor your baby for signs of discomfort or overheating, such as sweating or flushed skin. If they seem too hot, remove a layer. If they feel too cold, you can add an extra layer. You can check their body temperature on their neck, chest, back, and tummy. Their hands and feet may feel cooler than the rest of their body, which is normal.
In colder weather, a sleep sack or wearable blanket can keep your baby warm. You can also consider fleece-footed pajamas, with a onesie underneath if needed. If it's very cold, you can opt for a heavier sleep sack. However, it's important to ensure your baby doesn't overheat, so avoid multiple layers if possible, and opt for a warmer sleep sack instead.
Remember, it's better to have your baby slightly underdressed than heavily overdressed. Assess their comfort and adjust their clothing accordingly.
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Avoid loose clothing and blankets
When putting your baby to sleep, it is important to avoid loose clothing and blankets. Loose items in the crib, such as blankets, hats, mittens, hair bows, pacifier clips, and other soft objects, are not considered safe for sleep. These items can pose a risk of suffocation, strangulation, or SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
The ideal room temperature for a baby's sleep is between 68° and 72°Fahrenheit (20° to 22° Celsius). Dress your baby in layers that correspond to this temperature range to avoid overheating. As a general rule, babies should wear one additional layer than adults in the same environment. For example, if you are wearing a t-shirt and a sheet, your baby might wear a onesie and a lightweight swaddle or sleep sack. If it is colder, you can add a heavier sleep sack or long pajamas, possibly with a onesie underneath.
It is important to assess your baby's temperature by feeling their core, including their chest, neck, back, and tummy. Their core should feel warm but not sweaty, and it is normal for their hands and feet to be cold. If your baby feels too hot, remove a layer, and if they feel too cold, add an extra layer.
Additionally, it is recommended to avoid any head coverings, such as hats, when your baby is sleeping. Babies regulate their body temperature by releasing heat through their head, so a hat can lead to overheating. Furthermore, a hat could slip off and cover their face, inhibiting their breathing.
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Hats are not recommended
It is important to keep your baby at a comfortable temperature while they sleep. However, hats are not recommended for babies to wear to sleep. In the first few days of a baby's life, they are learning to regulate their temperature, and a hat can help with this. However, once a baby has returned home from the hospital, hats are no longer necessary for temperature regulation.
Hats and other head coverings, such as hoods, are not considered safe for babies to wear while sleeping. This is because they can cause overheating, which is a risk factor for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Overheating is dangerous for babies and has been linked to an increased risk of SIDS. It is therefore recommended that babies wear only one more layer than an adult would wear in the same environment. This helps to avoid over-bundling, which can lead to safety risks.
Additionally, hats and other loose items can pose a risk of suffocation and strangulation. Anything that covers a baby's head or face while they sleep is not safe, as it may reduce their ability to take in enough oxygen. It is important to keep the baby's face uncovered and clear of any obstructions.
Instead of a hat, you can ensure your baby stays warm by using a sleep sack or wearable blanket. These can be layered to suit the bedroom temperature and provide any needed warmth. In many cases, a onesie can be an effective primary layer of sleepwear, with a sleep sack or wearable blanket over the top.
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Check the room temperature
Keeping your baby at a comfortable temperature throughout the night is crucial. Overheating is linked to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and cold temperatures can be dangerous and uncomfortable. The ideal room temperature for a baby to sleep in is between 68° and 72°Fahrenheit.
If your baby is sleeping in the same room as you, you can dress them in the same number of layers that you are wearing, plus one additional layer. For example, if you are wearing a t-shirt and a sheet, your baby might wear a onesie and a lightweight swaddle or sleep sack. If you are wearing flannel pyjamas under a heavy comforter, your baby might wear fleece-footed pyjamas and a sleep sack or swaddle.
However, if your baby is sleeping in a room that is consistently either warmer or cooler than the rest of the house, you should adjust their clothing accordingly. If the room tends to be warm, opt for lightweight, breathable sleepwear for your baby. If it is very cold, you can dress your baby in footed pyjamas and a heavier sleep sack.
It is important to note that a baby's hands and feet are not reliable indicators of their overall body temperature. Instead, check their core, including their chest, neck, back, and tummy. If your baby's core feels warm but not sweaty, and neither cold, then they are likely comfortable. If they feel too hot, remove a layer. If they feel too cold, add an extra layer.
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Dressing for summer and winter
When it comes to dressing a 6-month-old for sleep, the most important factor is maintaining an ideal temperature to prevent overheating or excessive cold. The recommended room temperature is between 68°F and 72°F (20°C to 22°C). However, this may vary depending on your baby's comfort and the climate you live in. It's crucial to avoid loose items in the crib, such as blankets, hats, or stuffed toys, as they can pose a safety risk.
Dressing for Summer
During the summer, it's essential to choose lightweight and breathable fabrics for your baby's sleepwear. Natural fabrics like cotton, bamboo, or EcoVero™ are excellent choices as they promote air circulation and help regulate your baby's temperature. Look for sleepwear with short sleeves or sleeveless designs to optimise air circulation and prevent overheating. You can also consider layering with lightweight clothing, such as a short-sleeved bodysuit or summer baby pajamas, and adjust the layers as needed. Remember, the temperature can fluctuate during the night, so it's important to monitor your baby's cues and adjust their clothing accordingly.
Dressing for Winter
In colder months, you can opt for fleece pajamas or a heavier microfleece swaddle or sleep sack over standard cotton jammies. It's important to ensure that your baby doesn't get too hot, so consider a heavier sleep sack instead of multiple layers. You can also choose sleepwear with lower TOG ratings, indicating a cooler fabric. Remember to avoid hats or hoods as they can slip and cover your baby's face, affecting their breathing. Instead, focus on dressing your baby in one additional layer than you would wear yourself in the same environment.
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Frequently asked questions
A good rule of thumb is to dress your baby in one additional layer than you would wear to sleep. For example, if you're wearing a t-shirt and a sheet, your baby might wear a onesie and a lightweight swaddle or sleep sack. If it's cold, you can add a long-sleeved onesie and a heavier sleep sack.
A sleep sack, or wearable blanket, is a safer alternative to loose blankets, which can increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Sleep sacks come in different thicknesses, with a TOG rating that indicates how thick they are.
It's important to ensure your baby's sleeping environment is safe. The ideal room temperature is between 68° and 72°F. Avoid loose items or clothing, such as hats, mittens, hair bows, and pacifier clips, as they are not considered safe for sleep. Always place your baby on their back to sleep, on a firm and flat sleep surface with only a fitted sheet.
