As the cold season begins, many mothers worry about their babies catching a cold during their sleep. With a newborn in the family, the chilly nights pose a threat and cause worry to new parents. However, there’s no room for panic!
This article focuses on everything you need to know to prepare yourself for the harsh winter nights. It’ll help you answer all the related questions, such as what should newborn wear to sleep in winter, why newborns are less tolerable to the cold, and what other factors to keep an eye on. Continue reading to discover how to keep your little ones safe from the elements this winter.
What Should Newborn Wear to Sleep in Winter?
The best way to dress your newborn in the wintertime is by using layers. This way, you can adjust to their needs easily. Try clothes made from cotton and wool, as they are the most comfortable, while also exploring different swaddles and sleep bags.
Just like you would, ensure your baby is dressed in layers and lengths suited for the weather. For those younger than 18 months, you can use the so-called “plus one method”. In short, dress your baby in the same clothes you would wear to sleep, but add an extra layer.
The best way to add warmth to your newborn is by adding more layers or coverings. This can be anything from swaddles and sleep sacks to footie pajamas. If you notice that your baby is still cold, you can add a short-sleeved onesie underneath their pajamas.
Another thing to consider is not stuffing them with too much clothing to overheat them. Overheating is dangerous since it’s linked to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Luckily enough, it’s easier to dress your newborn for the cold than to keep them cool during the summertime.
TOG rating
A critical thing to be aware of is the TOG rating of your baby’s clothes. Unlike our regular clothes, clothes designed for babies aren’t equal regarding warmth. Furthermore, clothing thickness or appearance alone doesn’t accurately reflect how warm they’ll be for your infant.
The TOG rating stands for Thermal Overall Grade. It’s an established technique for determining how warm a piece of clothing is. In other words, the more warmth and insulation the clothes provide, the higher their rating, while the lighter their fabric, the lower the rating is.
How to know when your newborn is cold
The touch test is the simplest way to determine if your newborn is cold. Just touch your baby’s body and feel if it’s warm or cold.
Remember that its hands and feet will be cooler than the rest of its body. So it’s best to do this test by touching the belly or the back of the baby’s neck.
The perfect temperature is achieved when the baby’s skin is neither sweaty nor cold. It should be lukewarm. If there are signs that the baby is still cold, add another layer or two.
Related: How To Dress A Baby For Sleep In A 70 Degree Room
Factors to Consider Before Deciding How to Dress Your Newborn
A lot of thought goes into keeping your baby’s temperature at a comfortable level during sleep in winter. The clothing’s warmth, the number of layers they’re dressed in, and the overall room temperature all play an essential role.
You should also be aware that infants are more gentle to the cold than adults. This is because they lose heat faster. The younger they are, the less they can cope with the cold.
What’s more, you should always consider the overall house temperature and your baby’s age to dress them accordingly. Wintertime temperature can vary depending on your location, while the baby’s age can determine if there are better ways to keep it warm.
Room temperature
The ideal room temperature for a baby is usually between 68ºF and 72ºF (18ºC – 20ºC). Consider investing in a thermostat to always be aware of the room temperature. But since it’s impossible to always keep the ideal temperature inside a room, the ideal solution is to dress the newborn accordingly for sleep.
As the TOG rating in baby clothes is already explained in the section above, you should know which ones to use according to this factor. In short, it’s recommended to use 1.0 TOG for room temperatures from 69ºF to 75ºF, while 2.5 TOG should be used for room temperatures between 62ºF and 73ºF.
Baby’s age
As we mentioned above, your baby’s age plays a crucial role in keeping it warm. There’s an even bigger difference between dressing a toddler and a newborn since toddlers are old enough to regulate their body temperature. For older babies around the age of 1, bedding in their crib is a sure way to keep them warm.
On the other hand, newborns don’t have enough body fat to warm back up when they get cold. They also cannot shiver, which is a way to increase heat. Remember that bedding, such as sheets or blankets, isn’t a safe option if your baby is less than 12 months old.
Read more: How Long a Baby Can Sleep in a Bassinet?
Conclusion
So, what should a newborn wear to sleep in winter? Layers, swaddles, and sleeping bags are an excellent way to start. Don’t forget to be mindful of your local temperatures and the baby’s age to decide the best way to keep it warm. Following the simple information and advice given to you here leaves no room for mistakes!
In conclusion, there’s no need to fear the upcoming winter nights. We hope the information in this article answers all of your questions. Now that you have the knowledge needed, it’s up to you to decide what products you’re willing to try out!
