Herbie Murray
Newborns sleep around the clock, and it is important to ensure they are comfortable and safe. The ideal room temperature is between 68° and 72°F, and you should dress your baby in one or more layers to suit the temperature of the room. It is important to avoid covering a baby's head while they sleep, and to prevent overheating, which has been linked to a greater risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Swaddling is an option for newborns, but parents should consider the potential benefits and risks. Once a baby starts rolling over on their own, swaddling can be risky as it is difficult for them to turn if they wind up face-down.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of sleep hours | 14-17 hours over a 24-hour period. Some newborns may sleep up to 18-19 hours a day |
| Sleeping position | Always place your baby on their back, not on their stomach or side |
| Sleeping surface | It should be firm, flat, and waterproof. Cover the mattress with a sheet that fits snugly |
| Sleeping products | Avoid using products that claim to lower the risk of SIDS, such as sleep positioners or monitors. Do not use weighted blankets, sleepers, or swaddles |
| Clothing | Dress the baby in layers that suit the bedroom temperature to avoid overheating. Avoid loose clothing and hats |
| Sleeping bag/swaddle | Commercial sleeping bags are available with different tog ratings. Swaddling is an option for newborns but may be risky once the baby starts rolling over |
| Room temperature | The ideal room temperature should be between 68° and 72°F. Adjust the baby's clothing accordingly |
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What You'll Learn
Safe sleepwear to prevent overheating
Newborns have a limited ability to regulate their body temperature compared to adults, which makes them more vulnerable to overheating or chilling. Overheating a baby is unsafe and can increase the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Therefore, it is important to ensure that your newborn is dressed in safe sleepwear to prevent overheating.
The optimal range for ambient temperature in a baby's sleep room is between 68–72 °F (20–22.2 °C). This temperature range is safe and comfortable for most babies and helps prevent overheating or chilling during sleep. The temperature of the baby's room will be the biggest indicator of what they should wear. You can use a baby room thermometer to check the temperature.
To prevent overheating, it is recommended to dress your baby in one or more layers of sleepwear to provide enough warmth so they can sleep without a blanket. The number of layers can be adjusted based on the temperature of the room. For example, during warmer nights, choose sleepwear with a lower TOG rating to allow for better ventilation and prevent overheating. On colder nights, opt for sleepwear with a higher TOG rating to keep your baby warm.
Instead of loose blankets, which can pose a risk of suffocation, you can use wearable blankets or sleep sacks to provide comfort and insulation. Sleep sacks are safe, wearable blankets that are designed to provide warmth without the risk of covering your baby's head. They come in a range of different TOG ratings to suit different temperatures. You can also use swaddles, which involve wrapping your baby securely in a thin blanket to prevent the material from coming loose and covering their face. However, swaddling should be discontinued once your baby starts rolling over, as it can be difficult for them to turn if they end up face-down.
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Swaddling
However, there are risks associated with swaddling. It is crucial to discontinue swaddling once a baby can roll onto their side or belly, as it becomes very difficult for them to turn back, increasing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Swaddling can also be risky if it restricts leg movement, potentially causing hip dysplasia. Additionally, swaddling may not be necessary for all babies, as some may prefer the freedom of movement and find other ways to soothe themselves.
If you choose to swaddle your baby, it is important to follow safe practices. Use a thin blanket specifically designed for swaddling, and ensure your baby's nose and mouth are not obstructed. Stop swaddling once your baby shows signs of rolling or when they are around two months old, whichever comes first. You can then transition to using a sleep sack or wearable blanket to keep your baby warm without the risks associated with swaddling.
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Safe sleep surfaces
The safest place for your baby to sleep is on a firm, flat, and waterproof surface, such as a cot or Moses basket. It is important to ensure that the mattress is new or has been stored in a clean, dry, and smoke-free environment. The ideal room temperature should be between 68° and 72°F (20-22°C), and you should adjust your baby's clothing accordingly to avoid overheating.
To prevent suffocation or strangulation, keep soft objects, loose bedding, and accessories away from the baby's sleep area. This includes plush toys, pillows, blankets, unfitted sheets, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, and bumper pads. Instead, dress your baby in layers of sleepwear, such as snug-fitting cotton or natural-fiber pyjamas, to provide warmth. You can also use a thin blanket to swaddle your newborn, but this is not recommended once they start rolling over as it can be difficult for them to turn back.
Commercial sleeping bags or sleep sacks are a good alternative to blankets, as they keep your baby warm without covering their head. If using a baby blanket, choose a cellular cotton blanket that allows airflow and make sure it is tucked in firmly below your baby's shoulders. Avoid using hats or knit caps during sleep, as they can slip down and cover your baby's face, inhibiting breathing.
Additionally, avoid using products that claim to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), such as sleep positioners or monitors. Instead, always place your baby on their back to sleep and ensure the sleep surface is free of any objects that could pose a hazard.
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Safe sleep accessories
When it comes to safe sleep accessories for your newborn, there are several important considerations and guidelines to follow. Here are some key recommendations:
Sleepwear and Temperature Regulation:
- Dress your baby in layers: The number of layers will depend on the temperature of the room. It is crucial to avoid overheating, as it has been linked to an increased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The ideal room temperature is between 68° and 72°F (20° to 22°C).
- Use snug-fitting sleepwear: Choose sleepwear that fits snugly, such as bodysuits or pyjamas with feet. Avoid loose clothing, as it can ride up and cover your baby's face during sleep.
- Avoid hats and knit caps: While those cute hospital hats are adorable, they are not meant for sleep. Hats can cause overheating, and they might slip and cover your baby's face, inhibiting breathing.
- Consider the "one more layer" approach: Some sources suggest dressing your baby in one more layer than you would wear in the same environment. However, paediatricians have disputed this, advising that you should avoid overdressing your baby.
- Adjust to the season and room temperature: During colder months or in cooler rooms, you can add layers such as a onesie under pyjamas or use a sleep sack. In warmer weather, opt for lighter clothing and ensure your baby doesn't get too hot.
Sleep Surfaces and Bedding:
- Firm and flat mattress: Use a firm, flat, and waterproof mattress that is approved by relevant safety organizations, such as the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Ensure it is not too soft, as this can cause your baby to overheat.
- Tight-fitting sheets: Cover the mattress with a sheet that fits snugly. Avoid loose bedding, blankets, or quilts that could cover your baby's face.
- Avoid pillows and toys: Keep pillows, plush toys, bumper pads, and other similar items away from the baby's sleep area. These can pose a suffocation risk.
- Moses basket or cot: The NHS recommends using a Moses basket or cot for your baby's sleep. Ensure it is free from any objects that could cover your baby's mouth or nose.
- Swaddling: Swaddling can help calm newborns and may aid sleep. However, only use a thin blanket, and stop once your baby starts rolling over, as it can be dangerous if they end up face-down.
- Sleep sacks: Sleep sacks are a popular alternative to swaddling. They provide warmth without the risk of covering the baby's face. Choose the right size, and ensure it is not too loose or tight.
Remember, always place your baby on their back to sleep and avoid co-sleeping, especially if you are extremely tired or your baby is ill or premature. Keep the sleep area smoke-free, and avoid products that claim to reduce the risk of SIDS without proper evidence.
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Safe sleep positions
Newborns sleep around the clock, waking every few hours to eat. They do not have a sense of day and night, so it is important to keep things quiet and calm during middle-of-the-night feedings and diaper changes.
The safest sleep position for a newborn is on their back on a firm, flat, and waterproof mattress. This position significantly reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Sleeping a baby on their side or stomach increases the risk of SIDS.
To avoid overheating, dress your baby for the room temperature and don't overbundle. Do not cover the baby's head while they are sleeping. Signs of overheating include sweating or feeling hot to the touch.
Swaddling is an option for newborns, but parents and caregivers should consider its potential benefits and risks. Being swaddled can calm some babies and may help them sleep, but it can be risky once a baby starts rolling over on their own. If swaddling, use a thin blanket, and do not put anything else in the crib or bassinet. Keep plush toys, pillows, blankets, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, and bumper pads out of the baby's sleep area.
Babies should be dressed in layers that suit their bedroom's temperature to avoid overheating. It is important to prevent overheating to reduce the risk of accidental suffocation and strangulation.
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Frequently asked questions
The safest way to cover a newborn to sleep is to dress them in one or more layers of sleepwear that suit their bedroom’s temperature to avoid overheating. The ideal room temperature should be between 68° and 72°F, and you can adjust your baby's clothing as necessary. You can use a commercial sleeping bag with the appropriate tog rating for the room temperature, or a cellular cotton blanket tucked in firmly, no higher than the baby's shoulders.
You should avoid covering your newborn with loose blankets, as these can cover their face and cause suffocation. You should also avoid covering their head while they sleep, as this can lead to overheating. Hats, in particular, are dangerous as they can slip off the baby's head and cover their face, inhibiting free breathing.
It's important to keep your newborn safe while they sleep. Make sure there are no toys or anything else that could cover their mouth or nose in their cot or Moses basket. The mattress should be firm, flat, and waterproof, and the baby should be placed on their back to sleep.
