What to dress a baby in at night
Sleep is very important for the development of babies and toddlers. A safe sleeping environment and the right clothing both contribute to this. New parents tend to dress their babies in too many layers of clothing. In the first few days of life, babies need help staying warm. However, after a few short weeks, your baby will be able to regulate their own body temperature quite well. Despite the widespread belief that babies get cold quicker than adults, they actually have the same temperature sensitivity. You can be sure that your baby will let you know if it is too cold but if it is too hot, it will generally carry on sleeping.
If you are wondering how to dress your little angel at night, you will find a lot of helpful tips in this article. We will explain how to dress your baby at night for summer and winter, how to choose the right sleeping bag and how to check if they are too warm or too cold at night.
A baby should be dressed about as warmly as an adult. Depending on how active your baby is, you might need to dress them in an extra layer of clothing. Especially newborns don’t move as much as adults and therefore don’t produce as much heat.
The ideal temperature for a good night’s sleep
The optimal room temperature for your baby to sleep is between 16°C and 18°C. The room should have between 50-60 percent humidity. A comfortable room temperature promotes healthy sleep for your little one. To check these values, you should put a thermometer on your baby’s cot.
What should a baby wear to bed?
From the beginning to help your baby get used to a day-night routine, you should always change their clothes before bedtime. If changing into their sleepsuit and sleeping bag is accompanied by a good-night ritual, your baby will associate this with bedtime.
How warmly you should dress a baby always depends on the season and room temperature. In general, it is enough if they wear a nappy, underwear (bodysuit) and a sleepsuit. In summer, they can do without underwear.
Sleepsuits should generally be thinner than a romper they would wear during the day. You should never put a hat on your baby in bed as this will prevent excess heat from escaping from their head if they are too warm. Your baby doesn’t need to be dressed any warmer than usual if it is sick and has a fever.
What your baby should wear to bed in summer
A short-sleeved bodysuit (optional)
A thin sleepsuit
Thin cotton socks (optional)
A summer sleeping bag
What your baby should wear to bed in winter
A long-sleeved bodysuit
A cuddly footed sleepsuit
A winter sleeping bag for baby
Which type of baby sleeping bag is perfect for a good night’s sleep?
A good quality baby sleeping bag provides a better sleeping environment and safer sleep by preventing your baby from getting too hot or too cold. Its breathability allows excess heat to escape and even babies that are very active stay tucked in and cannot kick off their covers. In addition, a sleeping bag won’t accidentally cover your baby’s mouth or nose.
What should a baby wear to bed? A baby sleeping bag guide
The right sleeping bag will help your baby feel comfortable and safe. Follow these tips to help you choose the perfect sleeping bag for each season:
Sleeping bags are available in a variety of fabrics, including cotton and fleece. Natural, breathable fabrics that can be washed at 40°C and tumble dried are the best.
A summer sleeping bag should be lightweight and unlined. It should also be sleeveless.
A winter sleeping bag should be lined, depending on the temperature, and have sleeves if it is very cold.
It is generally quite important to have a sleeping bag that you can securely close. Zips that close up toward your baby’s chin should have a cover over the top of the zip to prevent injury.
The most important factor when choosing a sleeping bag for your baby is the fit. The sleeping bag should fit snugly around your baby’s shoulders, neck and arms so that its head does not slip out. Ideally, the sleeping bag should have a long zip down the side or front and buttons over the shoulders. This will also make it easier to change a nappy. It should be large enough for your little one to stretch out in.
As a general rule, sleeping bag length = body length (without head) + 10 to 15 cm. However, the sleeping bag shouldn’t be too long, otherwise your baby could slip into the bag or get cold feet. Sleeping bags generally come in sizes from 50cm to 120cm. Some designs are adjustable in length so they can grow with your baby.
If you are looking for a sleeping bag for your baby, you can use our baby sleeping bag size chart to help you quickly find the right size:
Size | 50 | 60 | 70 | 80 | 90 | 100 | 110 | 120 |
Height (in cm) | 50 | 60 | 70 | 80 | 90 | 100 | 110 | 120 |
Getting your baby ready for bedtime: what is a TOG rating for sleeping bags?
What does TOG mean?
A TOG rating is a measure of how warm a garment is. It can be used as a safety indicator to help protect your baby from overheating in bed.
1.0 TOG: these sleeping bags have a lightweight lining, are sleeveless and are suitable for room temperatures between 18°C and 24 °C. Combined with a lightweight, short-sleeved bodysuit or a thin sleepsuit, your baby will be comfortably dressed for warm nights.
2.5 TOG: this type of sleeping bag can be used all year round (recommended room temperature 15°C – 21 °C). They are lined and sleeveless. For example, you can combine this type of sleeping bag with a long-sleeved sleepsuit during the transitional seasons.
3.5 TOG: if the room temperature is below 18°C, then this is the perfect sleeping bag. They are lined and have sleeves or are sleeveless depending on the temperature. On cold nights, your baby will stay warm and cosy if you combine this type of sleeping bag with a long-sleeved bodysuit and a long sleepsuit.
Important factors for a safe night’s sleep in a baby sleeping bag:
The fit of the neck and arms
TOG rating of the sleeping bag
Natural, breathable fabrics
Protector over the zip closure under your baby’s chin
The right length with approx. 15cm extra room below the feet for movement
Benefits of a sleeping bag:
A better sleeping environment
Safer night’s sleep
Your baby won’t lose its blanket
How can I check my baby’s temperature?
To make sure your baby isn't sweating or getting cold, you should check their temperature from time to time. You can use your baby's neck as an indicator to check if it is too hot or too cold.
Your baby should be warm but not sweating. You can also check their forehead for their temperature. Hands and feet are not good indicators because babies’ limbs are often cooler than the rest of their bodies.
What to dress a baby in at night: what are the dangers of overheating or getting too cold?
During the day or night, if your baby is wearing too many layers there is a real risk that they could overheat. An adult sweats if they get too hot, but a baby’s cooling mechanism doesn’t work as well just yet. In addition, babies also have an insulating layer of fat.
Too much heat can quickly become unbearable for a baby. If your baby is awake, they will react by crying but if they are asleep, the situation can become dangerous. Overheating is considered a serious safety risk for newborns and babies under one year of age.
On the other hand, babies are also helpless if they get too cold, for example, if they kick off their blankets in a cold room. During deep sleep, their metabolism doesn’t immediately respond to changes in temperature. It only reactivates just before waking.
Dressing an infant too warmly all the time can make them get sick as easily as dressing them too lightly. Appropriate clothing for babies is essential for both day and night and can help them get a good night’s sleep.
Conclusion: what should my baby wear to bed for a good night’s sleep?
Choosing the right clothing is an important factor in creating an environment where your baby can have a safe and restful night's sleep. You should therefore consider the room temperature when choosing clothes. Go for natural, breathable fabrics and check your baby’s temperature from time to time. This ensures that your baby is dressed appropriately for the night and can sleep well.
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References and further information:
Gedenberg, C. (2015). The baby manual: the ultimate guide for new parents. Self-published, 1st ed.
https://www.emmasdiary.co.uk/baby/baby-sleep/baby-sleeping-bags
(Last accessed on 22.11.2023)
https://www.weebeedreaming.com/my-blog/creating-an-ideal-sleep-environment-for-your-baby
(Last accessed on 22.11.2023)
https://www.whattoexpect.com/first-year/newborn-sleep.aspx
(Last accessed on 22.11.2023)
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