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Expert Reviewed By - Knowing how to dress a baby for sleep is very important to ensure they sleep soundly, safely and are happy to settle.
However, making the decision on what your baby should wear to sleep can be quite daunting and fraught with self-doubt…
So, let’s take a look at how best to decide what is right for your baby in your particular environment to make sure that they’re just right.
How To Dress A Baby For Sleep
As a general rule when knowing how to dress a baby for sleep, put them in one more layer than you would feel comfortable with. However, how you dress your baby for bed will depend on the time of year, how warm or cold your house is and where you live in the world. And ideally, you should have a selection of sleepwear options to enable you to adapt to changing temperatures.
What Are Baby’s Sleepwear Options?
There are lots of options for appropriate baby clothing to wear when they sleep. Typically, dressing your baby for sleep will include:
- Cotton base layers
- Swaddles
- Sleeping bags or sleep sacks
- Onesies or coveralls
The right sleepwear can help keep baby comfortable and safe, but it is also weather dependent and will fluctuate in warmer weather compared to cold weather.
With soft, plush micro-fleece, this super soft swaddle wraps newborns in just the right amount of warmth. This sleep sack swaddle suits infants from birth to potentially 3 months, offering both comfort and safe sleep practices with its arm immobilization feature.
The innovative 3-way swaddling system adapts to a baby's sleep style, a crucial feature for those restless nights. Whether it's arms in, hands-to-face, or arms out, it grows with the baby's swaddling needs!
Meanwhile, the bottom zipper makes midnight diaper changes a breeze!
How To Dress A Baby For Sleep In Summer
When it’s warm, you want to keep things light. This is a vital consideration as an overheated baby may increase the likelihood of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome), but being too cool will only result in your baby waking up more as they are uncomfortable.
So… for summer weather, dress your baby in:
- A short-sleeve organic cotton T-shirt with a cotton or muslin swaddle.
OR…
- An appropriate lightweight swaddle or sleeping bag with a nappy and short sleeve T-shirt underneath.
If your baby is not a fan of being swaddled, then sleep sacks or wearable blankets are great alternatives.
TOP TIP: In heatwaves, you can go without the swaddle or sleeping bag and let your baby sleep in a T-shirt or short-sleeved bodysuit. You can even use a fan or air conditioning system to keep them cool. However, your baby will need to be dressed accordingly so that they do not get too cold.
How To Dress A Baby For Sleep In Winter
When it comes to winter and cooler weather, you will be looking at adding additional layers to keep baby warm. So, when dressing your baby for sleep in winter try:
- Using a warmer swaddle and a long-sleeve footed sleepsuit.
- Invest in heavier tog sleeping bags.
- Organic cotton clothing is still best for newborns – try to avoid wool as it can be rather itchy!
- Mittens without strings or long-sleeve onesies with hand pockets are great options for cold winter nights too if you’re worried about cold hands that might scratch their soft skin.
Another great sleepwear range with sleeping bags to suit all ages and seasons. The easy to follow tog guide used in conjunction with the GroEgg room thermometer will give you peace of mind that you have chosen the perfect sleep attire for your little one.
TOP TIP: Avoid fleece-lined clothing or fleece-lined swaddles as they tend to be too warm and avoid putting a hat on your baby at night even if you feel the room is cool. Do not use electric blankets or hot weather bottles either.
Looking to get your little one to sleep quickly and effortlessly? Check out my Bedtime and Nap Cheat Sheet and master the art of making daytime naps and bedtimes as seamless as possible.
A bedtime & nap cheat sheet so good your little one will ask you to put them to bed...
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How To Dress A Baby For Sleep With A Fever
When your baby is sick, they will need a little bit of extra love and attention to ensure they feel safe whilst under the weather.
Babies will also tend to sleep more when they have a fever, but they will also run a high temperature too.
So what’s the best way to dress a baby for sleep when they have a fever?
Well contrary to what you think, you should not bundle your baby up in extra layers or strip them down to base layers either at the first signs of illness.
Unless your baby is burning up (in which case, you should seek medical advice) you should dress your baby appropriately for the season in loose soft clothes and make sure they are as comfortable as possible.
In order to maintain peace of mind, you can always check baby’s internal temperature using a baby-safe thermometer regularly.
Healthy, happy babies should have a body temperature of around 97.5 degrees Fahrenheit / 36.4 degrees Celcius. But when they’re sick, this can rise by a couple of degrees.
A first-aid kit essential, the Braun thermometer is the ultimate multi-use tool, delivering accurate temperature readings in one second. You can do in-ear checks when baby is awake or asleep and the colour-coded screen and optional sound alarm alert you when fevers spikes are also very handy features.
Create The Perfect Sleep Environment For Baby
Dressing your baby appropriately for sleep is one of several factors that will help your baby get a good night’s sleep.
To ensure your baby can sleep peacefully and restfully, you also need to take into consideration:
1. Maintain The Perfect Room Temperature
Room temperature is hugely important and should be between 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit or 20 to 22 degrees Celsius.
I highly recommend investing in a room thermometer such as the GroEgg room thermometer as it will give you peace of mind that your baby’s sleep environment is at a comfortable temperature and warns you if baby’s room is getting too warm or too cold.
Offering peace of mind at a glance, the wonderful GRO-Egg changes colour with the temperature of a room. A yellow glow means a safer temperature for children to sleep in which also doubles up as a gentle nightlight for your baby!
2. Utilise A White Noise Machine
A white noise machine is an amazingly useful piece of kit to help your baby sleep well too. It is soothing and reduces the impact of sudden household noises waking your baby.
White noise machines are a game-changer for your little one's sleep and having one that plays all night is a must. With a long-lasting battery, this compact and stylish white noise machine contains 21 non-stop relaxing noises, which will lull your little one to sleep night after night, no matter where you are!
3. Use Blackout Curtains
Blackout curtains can be controversial as if your baby can only sleep in a blacked-out room then they may struggle to sleep in other locations. So they’re definitely a personal choice.
However, it is useful to know that, in hot countries, blackout curtains can make a room cooler to sleep in.
If you’re concerned about your baby not being able to sleep in a variety of locations, you can use a nightlight alongside blackout curtains to avoid the issue of them only being able to sleep when it’s pitch black!
Maintaining a good sleep routine with your baby can be tricky, especially through changing seasons or when you’re away from home! This beautiful blackout blind from Tommee Tippee is made from lightweight premium fabric and completely blocks out daylight, helping to create a dark and sleepy space for baby, no matter where you are!
4. Invest In A Good Crib
The correct crib, bassinet or Moses basket is vital to your baby’s sleeping comfort. A crib should be well-ventilated and have a flat, firm and well-fitting mattress.
Use a warmer flannel bottom sheet in the winter and a cooler cotton one in the warmer months.
This crib from DaVinci is one of my favourites that is perfect for babies all the way up to young children.
When looking for a crib I really feel that one that can grow with your baby is best. This lovely crib easily adapts to a toddler bed, then day bed or full size making the transition from crib to bed easier and less stressful for your little one. Couple this with its Greenguild Gold certification and stylish design this is a real value for money crib.
5. Use Appropriate Blankets, Swaddles And Sleeping Bags
Loose blankets are not advisable for young babies to sleep with as they are prone to being kicked off and have a risk of covering your baby’s face.
However, swaddling or sleeping bags such as the ones by Tommee Tippee, which give you the correct options to choose for different temperatures, are a far safer option and most babies love sleeping in them.
The Tommee Tippee Sleepee Snuggle is designed to keep babies snug and secure just like when they were in the womb. This innovative wrap combines the comfort of super soft cotton swaddling with the ease of use of a baby sleeping bag, providing the versatility you need to keep baby happy as they grow from newborn to infant to toddler without compromising on safety or style!
REMEMBER: Unlike us, up until the age of about 3 months, very young babies are unable to regulate their own body temperature, so it is up to us to do this for them to ensure they’re comfortable.
Frequently Asked Questions About How To Dress A Baby For Sleep
Looking for more information about how to dress a baby for sleep? Find the answers to the most common questions here.
Can A Baby Wear Socks To Bed In Winter?
Yes and no… If your baby’s feet feel overly cool to the touch then you could put socks on them to sleep in. However, a footed sleep suit and or sleeping bag will keep your baby’s feet cosy and warm anyway so you will not need to put on socks.
How Do You Know If Your Baby Is Warm Enough?
The best way to tell if your baby is warm enough at night is to feel their skin.
Cool hands and feet are not the best indicators of your baby’s overall temperature so check the following instead:
- A cold nose would indicate they are too cool.
- A cool back of the neck means they are too cold.
- However, a warm back of the neck is perfectly OK.
- Place your hand on their tummy or back to check how cool or warm they are.
Keep an eye on your baby’s behaviour too. If they seem uncomfortable, restless or are fighting sleep, do a check of their skin temperature.
REMEMBER: Never place the crib too close to a warm radiator or an open window as this may make baby too warm or cold compared to the average room temperature. Also, once they start to roll over and become mobile, they may reach out and touch the radiator or try to climb onto the window ledge which can be very dangerous.
Is My Baby Too Hot?
Particularly during a heat wave when we experience warm nights it is easy to put baby in layers which aren’t necessary. Signs your baby is too hot include:
- Sweaty or clammy skin (including hair, neck, back and chest)
- Heat rash across body
- Flushed skin which is warm to the touch
- Rapid breathing and heart rate
- And in extreme cases, vomiting.
If you suspect baby is too hot, remove at least one layer of clothing to see if any of these signs reduce. You can also try moving to a cooler location to help too.
How To Dress A Baby For Sleep Recap
Naturally, knowing how to dress a baby for sleep can be quite daunting and knowing what is best and safe can be a little confusing.
Remember, the general rule of thumb when it comes to how to dress a baby for sleep is to put them in one more layer than you would feel comfortable with.
- Always pay attention to how your baby’s skin feels
- Remember that being too warm increases the risk of SIDS but being too cool will only result in your baby waking up more as they are uncomfortable
- Always know the temperature of the room your baby is sleeping in so you can make well-informed dressing decisions
- Avoid blankets and sheets and opt for seasonally appropriate swaddles, sleeping bags, sleep sacks or wearable blankets (all made from breathable fabrics)
- Choose 100% cotton clothing for baby to wear
- Use a fan if you wish
- Never place the crib too close to a warm radiator or an open window
Need More Parenting Help?
- Download our FREE Bedtime & Nap Sleep Cheat Sheet. It’s a free, easy-to-use and proven formula designed for parents of 0-5 year olds to master the art of consistently undisturbed and restful sleep without the yelling, nagging or exhausting long-winded evenings.
- Check out our Parenting Toolbox. You’ll get access to expertly-chosen products that you can guarantee are the best for your little one and your wallet.
- Are you looking for personalized guidance to navigate the challenges of parenting? I offer 1-on-1 consultations to bring you tailored strategies and actionable advice to help support your child's growth and well-being with confidence.
A bedtime & nap cheat sheet so good your little one will ask you to put them to bed...
Laura Williams "This is a life saver! I'm so glad I downloaded your bedtime & nap cheat sheet. My little one actually asked me to put him to bed last night! Unbelievable! Thank you so much!"
Click Here For The FREE Cheat Sheet
