Colin Snow
Ensuring that a newborn sleeps comfortably and safely is a challenging task for new parents. The ideal room temperature for a newborn to sleep in is between 68° and 72°F, and they should be dressed in one additional layer than an adult would wear in the same environment. Newborns should not wear hats to sleep, and loose items such as blankets should be avoided to prevent suffocation. It is recommended that newborns are placed on their backs to sleep and in the same room as their parents for the first 6 months.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sleeping position | On their back |
| Sleeping location | In a cot or Moses basket in the same room as the parents for the first 6 months |
| Head | Uncovered |
| Feet | At the foot (end) of the cot or Moses basket |
| Clothing | One additional layer than an adult would wear at night |
| Room temperature | Between 68° and 72°F |
| Accessories | No loose items or clothing (e.g. hats, mittens, hair bows, pacifier clips) |
| Safe sleep environment | Reduces the risk of SIDS and accidental suffocation and strangulation |
| Co-sleeping | Dangerous in some circumstances, e.g. if the parent smokes or consumes alcohol |
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Safe sleep environment
Keeping your newborn safe while they sleep is a top priority. Here are some tips to create a safe sleep environment:
Room Temperature and Dressing:
- The ideal room temperature for a newborn's sleep is between 68° and 72°F (20-22°C).
- It is important to dress your baby in layers that suit their bedroom's temperature to avoid overheating.
- As a general rule, put your baby in one additional layer than you would wear. However, it is better to have them slightly underdressed than heavily overdressed.
- Signs that your baby may be too hot include a sweaty neck or hair, flushed cheeks, and a clammy or sweaty core.
- Avoid covering your baby's head while they sleep, and ensure their head remains uncovered if you use a blanket.
- Do not use hats, as they can slip off and cover your baby's face, inhibiting breathing, and they can also lead to overheating.
- Avoid loose clothing or accessories, such as mittens, hair bows, or pacifier clips.
- Reassess your baby's sleep attire with the change of seasons or when the room temperature fluctuates.
Sleep Position and Surface:
- Always place your baby on their back to sleep, not on their front or side.
- The 'feet to foot' position is recommended, with their feet at the end of the cot or Moses basket.
- Ensure your baby sleeps in a smoke-free environment, and consider breastfeeding, as it lowers the risk of SIDS.
- Avoid co-sleeping with your baby on a sofa or armchair, as it is linked to a higher risk of SIDS.
- If you choose to co-sleep in a bed, ensure neither you nor your partner smokes, consumes alcohol, or takes drugs or medications that may cause drowsiness.
- Do not co-sleep if your baby was born prematurely or at a low birth weight.
- Let your baby fall asleep in their crib at night so they associate it with sleep.
- Swaddling can help soothe your baby, but stop swaddling when they start trying to roll over. Ensure the swaddle is not too tight, allowing leg movement for hip development.
- Do not use weighted blankets, sleepers, or swaddles.
- Ensure all sleep surfaces and products have been approved by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and meet federal safety standards.
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Sleeping position
Newborns follow their own schedule and do not have a sense of day and night. They wake up often to eat, no matter the time. In the first few weeks to months, you and your baby will settle into a routine. It is important to keep things quiet and calm during middle-of-the-night feedings and diaper changes. Keep the lights low and avoid playing with or talking to your baby. This will send the message that nighttime is for sleeping. If possible, let your baby fall asleep in the crib at night so they learn that it's the place for sleep.
It is recommended that newborns sleep in the same room as their parents for the first six months. Always place your baby on their back to sleep (not on their front or side). This is known as the 'feet to foot' position, with their feet at the end of the cot or Moses basket. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that newborns should not wear hats to sleep or even indoors after the first few hours of life or in the NICU. In the first few days, babies are learning to regulate their temperature, so they may wear a hat in the hospital. By the time your baby comes home, hats are no longer helpful for temperature regulation indoors. Any loose items or clothing (like hats, mittens, hair bows, pacifier clips, etc.) are not considered safe for sleep.
Swaddling (wrapping the baby in a light blanket) can help soothe a crying baby. If you swaddle your baby and they start trying to roll over, that is a sign that you can stop swaddling. Make sure not to swaddle too tight, as you need to allow the baby's legs to move to help with their hip development. Check your baby's temperature to make sure they do not get too hot. You can also try a sleep sack or swaddle with a higher TOG rating to keep your baby warm.
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Dressing for sleep
When it comes to dressing your newborn for sleep, safety and comfort are the top priorities. Here are some key considerations:
Room Temperature
The ideal room temperature for a sleeping baby is between 68°F and 72°F (20°C - 22°C). However, it's important to remember that different homes have different temperatures, and babies can be comfortable outside of this range as long as they are dressed appropriately. In general, it's better to have your baby slightly underdressed than heavily overdressed, as overheating is a concern for newborns and has been linked to an increased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Layers
To ensure your baby is dressed appropriately for the temperature of their bedroom, consider dressing them in one additional layer than you would wear yourself. You can adjust the number of layers according to the room temperature. For example, thicker jammies, a onesie under pajamas, or a sleep sack/swaddle with a higher TOG rating can provide extra warmth. Conversely, if your baby is dressed too warmly, you can reduce the layers under their sleepwear or opt for a lower TOG rating.
Head and Neck Coverage
Keep your baby's head and neck uncovered during sleep. If using a blanket, make sure it is tucked in no higher than their shoulders. Avoid putting hats, hair bows, or any loose items on your baby's head, as these can slip and cover their face, inhibiting breathing. Additionally, babies regulate their temperature by releasing heat through their head, so covering it can lead to overheating.
Swaddling
Swaddling, or wrapping your baby in a light blanket, can help soothe and calm them. However, it is important to ensure the swaddle is not too tight, as it should allow for leg movement to promote healthy hip development. Stop swaddling when your baby starts showing signs of rolling over, as swaddled babies may have difficulty turning onto their back if they end up on their stomach.
Safe Sleepwear
Avoid loose blankets, weighted blankets, sleepers, or swaddles. Opt for well-fitting sleepwear, such as a sleep sack or a swaddle with a higher TOG rating for colder temperatures. Always follow safe sleep guidelines and prioritize your baby's comfort and safety.
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Co-sleeping
However, co-sleeping can also be associated with certain risks. Co-sleeping is linked to an increased risk of sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI), including sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and fatal sleep accidents. Bed-sharing is especially dangerous for infants under 1 year old, and the risk is higher for preterm infants and infants of low birth weight. To reduce the risks of co-sleeping, it is recommended to place the baby on their back, on a separate sleeping surface, such as a bassinet or side-car crib, and to avoid bed-sharing if you or your partner smoke, use alcohol or drugs, or are taking any medication that affects your awareness and ability to respond to your baby.
If you choose to co-sleep, there are ways to make it safer. Ensure the baby's face and head are uncovered and keep the sleep space clear of any items that could create a strangulation risk, such as pillows, sheets, blankets, toys, or jewellery. Place the baby on the side of the bed, away from the edge, and next to only one parent. Additionally, make sure the mattress is firm, flat, and level, and consider whether the sleep space is big enough to accommodate everyone comfortably.
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Sleep patterns
To help your baby settle into a routine, it is important to keep things quiet and calm during nighttime feedings and diaper changes. Keeping the lights low and refraining from playing or talking to your baby will help send the message that nighttime is for sleeping. It is also recommended that you let your baby fall asleep in their crib at night so they learn to associate it with sleep.
Newborns should be awakened to feed every 3-4 hours until they show good weight gain, which usually happens within the first couple of weeks. After that, it is okay to let them sleep for longer periods at night.
Each baby has a unique sleep pattern. Some babies start to sleep through the night (5-6 hours at a time) by 2-3 months old, while others may take longer to establish this pattern.
It is important to prioritize your baby's safety while they sleep. Creating a safe sleep environment can help reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and accidental suffocation or strangulation. Always place your baby on their back to sleep, and ensure their head remains uncovered. Room temperature should be between 68°F and 72°F, and it is generally better to have your baby slightly underdressed than heavily overdressed to prevent overheating, which is linked to a higher risk of SIDS.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to place your baby on their back to sleep, not on their front or side. This is known as the 'feet to foot' position, with their feet at the end of the cot or Moses basket. It is also important to keep your baby's head uncovered.
It is important to dress your baby in layers that suit their bedroom's temperature to avoid overheating. The ideal room temperature should be between 68° and 72°F, and you can adjust the layers of clothing accordingly. It is better to have your baby slightly underdressed than heavily overdressed.
To ensure your newborn sleeps safely, it is recommended to follow safe sleep guidelines. This includes not using loose blankets, hats, weighted sleep sacks, or anything that could cover your baby's face and inhibit breathing. It is also important to keep your baby smoke-free during pregnancy and after birth.
