How to Dress Baby for Sleep
As new parents threw are many little things that you worry about. One of the most stressful things parents have to go through is figuring out what kind of clothes their babies should wear to sleep. This isn’t as simple as it sounds. Parents need to ensure that their baby stays at the perfect temperature throughout the night and wears comfortable clothing so that they can sleep peacefully. Figuring out what babies wear to sleep at night can be stressful. Therefore we are writing this blog to take the stress out of it so that you do not have to worry about how your baby sleeps at night!
Dressing your baby for sleep
You need to remember some general rules of thumb when deciding what babies should wear to sleep. Previously, people used to say that your baby should be well covered from head to toe to keep the baby warm and cozy. However, new research shows that the ideal room temperature should be between 68° and 72°F for optimum sleep. This is cool, and it shows that babies sleep much more comfortably in slightly cooler temperatures than in hotter ones.
That being said, it is still always a good idea to dress your baby in a way that they would have one layer more than you would wear at night. Your baby will not generally sleep with a blanket or a loose sheet. Generally, it is good to dress your baby into two-piece cotton PJs, or a onesie and muslin swaddle blanket. However, you need to be careful that your baby is not over-dressed. Being over-dressed might exceed their ideal recommended temperature range and could potentially be dangerous for your baby. It is not a bad idea to use a thermostat to get an idea of the temperature and make your decisions based on that. But don’t obsess over this. Generally speaking, if you are comfortable in your house temperature, more likely than not, your baby will be too.
Dressing babies with swaddles for sleep
Babies generally respond well to swaddling. Swaddling makes newborns feel comfortable and safe if they are bundled up well. Cotton or muslin swaddle blankets are the best because they are lightweight, airy, and breathable. Some parents face difficulty while wrapping swaddle blankets around their babies. In that case, parents can look for other options such as swaddle suits.
Another tricky situation is when you need to figure out what to do if you need to swaddle your baby and the room temperature is hot. The question then becomes, how should you dress your baby under the swaddle. Keeping in mind what we’ve mentioned earlier, evaluate the temperature around you before making these decisions. Newborns very early on start adapting to the temperature outside as we do. This means that if we are comfortable in similar clothing, they will be too. You do need to look at how thick your swaddle blanket is. Don’t use a very thick swaddle blanket in the summers. If it is too hot, feel free to put the swaddle blanket over your baby’s diaper and nothing else because that way, your baby won’t be too hot. This can be done if your house temperature exceeds 80 degrees.
How to dress baby for sleep in the summers
If you live in an area with high temperatures in the summer, you need to think about what your baby would wear to sleep. People usually believe that their babies should be well covered no matter what. That is not true at all! In fact, overheating babies is linked to SIDS or sudden infant death syndrome.
You should place your baby in places where they can have cold air blowing towards them, under a ceiling fan, or near air-conditioning. Then, a lightweight, full-length, long-sleeved pajama is usually perfect for your baby to sleep in on a warm summer’s night.
If your baby is in a place where cold air is not blowing near them, you can dress your baby in a short-sleeved onesie, which will work like a charm. If the temperature in your house is greater than 80 degrees, having your baby sleep in just their diaper is also a perfectly viable option.
How to dress baby for sleep in the winters
Determining what your baby should wear to bed in winter is dependent on the baby’s age and the temperature of your house at night. For example, for older babies (toddlers), you can just use proper bedding to keep them warm because they can regulate their body temperatures as we can. More caution is needed while dressing newborns for sleep during winters.
Typically, a baby will be comfortable in footed pajamas surrounded by swaddle blankets or a sleeping sack for winters. If your baby still feels too cold, you can add a short-sleeved onesie to wear under their clothes. However, caution is still needed as overheating babies are at risk of SIDS.
You might be wondering how you can check your baby’s body temperature to see if they’re feeling hot or cold. The best way to check this would be by gently touching the back of their neck or belly. Your baby should feel slightly warm but not sweaty or clammy when you touch it. If your baby doesn’t feel very warm, that’s your signal to add some layerings.
Should your newborn wear a hat to sleep?
You should most definitely not put a hat on your baby to help him sleep, as this could cause your baby to overheat and increase the risk of SIDS. If your baby is too hot and needs to cool down, he will need to be able to lose that heat through his head. You may put a hat on your baby if you are outdoors in cold weather, but take it off once inside.
Do Crib Sheets Help Babies Sleep Better?
Choosing the correct baby crib sheets can have an impact on the quality and comfort of your child's sleep, which is something you should really consider. So, to answer this question, yes crib sheets do matter for the sleep and the well-being of your child.
Once your baby is mature enough to transition into a crib, fitted crib sheets are a must. Fitted crib linens are a comfortable and practical addition to any crib. They are safe for babies who have started to move around in their beds since they fit the mattress nicely and are stretchy.
You have the choice to purchase crib sheets from Jumpy Moo's in a variety of colours so that you may coordinate our sheets with the design of your child's room. Not only that, but our sheets are the ideal crib sheets for your child's mattress, measuring 140 x 70 cm. Finally, Jumpy Moo's crib sheets are made of the softest 145 GSM cotton and may be used as travel crib sheets, ensuring that your child has a pleasant and comfortable night's sleep.
Conclusion
Dressing your baby for sleep is very simple and straightforward. Do not overthink it, if you are comfortable around your house, your baby will be too. Just make sure that you do not overdress your baby, causing them to overheat.