What should baby wear to sleep? It is quite natural to have such queries and doubts regarding your newborn baby especially if you are a first-time mom.
Since it will take time for you to get used to your baby’s cues, everything starting from their cries to them sleeping for longer hours will make you anxious.
After bringing your baby home from the hospital, make sure the surroundings and the room in which they are going to be, are pleasant, neat, and comfortable so that they have a safe sleeping environment.
With changing seasons, and temperatures, you will have worries about how to dress your baby to sleep which makes them feel neither too hot nor cold, and have a safe and comfortable sleep at night.
You might be confused as to how many layers can you dress your baby with for sleep, as this also depends on temperature.
That is the reason, the way you dress baby is very important though it may appear like a simple task. Various things have to be considered while dressing a baby. Let us look at the details.
1. Baby Sleepwear for Comfortable Sleeping
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You should dress your baby in a manner that they stay warm during the night, as it is not recommended for babies to sleep with loose blankets, and only with tight-fitted bedsheets.
A good example would be for babies to sleep in sleep sacks and even onesies.
There is also a typical thumb rule to dress babies for sleep. Since you, and your baby will be in the same room with the same temperature, dress your baby with one additional layer than you would wear to sleep.
You also have to note how many layers you dress the baby for sleep. If you bundle them in more layers, it may lead to overheating and might even be a risk factor leading to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
So, it is best not to overdress them.
2. Dressing Baby in Summer and Winter
The manner in which you dress your baby for sleep will not be the same in all seasons. You have to dress them appropriately according to the weather. Here are some interesting ideas for doing them.
2.1. Summer Nights
In warmer weather namely summer months, dress your baby for sleep either in onesies, a sleep sack, or baby pajamas which materials including muslin which will result in comfortable sleeping for your babies.
If the weather is very hot, let your baby sleep in a diaper with a lightweight swaddle or sleep sack. But make sure that the baby’s room is without air conditioning.
However, if you are making your baby sleep in a room with air conditioning, do opt for full-sleeved clothing, along with a lightweight blanket.
In case, you are still using swaddles for your baby, you can utilize a swaddle blanket that is lightweight, and made of cotton fabric.
2.2. Winter Nights
In colder weather, dress your baby for sleep in either footed pajamas along with a wearable blanket which also goes by the name sleep sack. You can also include a long-sleeved onesie along with the sleep sack.
Sleep sacks make babies comfortable, and are a safe method to help your baby remain warm during the winter nights. You can also team up the sleep sack with a onesie beneath to make your baby warmer and have a comfortable sleep.
The sleep sack or a bag has a thermal overall grade that shows how many blankets it is equivalent to.
3. Baby Swaddling
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Swaddling involves a baby wrapped safely in a less weight, and breathable blanket which gives them the feeling that they are still in the womb. This is applicable for newborns and can be stopped once your baby starts to roll over.
Swaddling also helps in reducing the waking effects caused by the Moro reflex. This reflex is automatic and is common in small babies as they will still be trying to get used to their new stimuli.
During this time, you can notice your baby throwing their hands in the air which is often caused by a twitch or a jerk.
You can control this with the help of swaddling, and make your little bundle of joy have a long sleep.
You should remain careful while swaddling your baby. Ensure that the blanket is wrapped more tightly around the baby’s chest while more freely around the baby’s hips as well as knees. You can either leave the baby’s hands free or tuck them in.
You can also go for a swaddle sack with velcro and zipper.
Your swaddle might contain fasteners that must be attached safely. Ensure that the swaddle does not get loosened and envelopes the baby’s head or the baby’s neck.
Swaddling is not advisable once your baby starts or tries to roll over. Do you know why? Because when they roll over while swaddled, they tend to get trapped face-down. That is the reason you should not swaddle your baby for sleep after they begin to roll over.
After this phase, you can make your baby sleep either in a sleep sack or on a wearable blanket. If your baby is not comfortable sleeping while in a swaddle or sleep sack, opt for footed pajamas or some warmer clothes to keep the baby warm.
4. Wearable Blanket
Image by Derlis Dario Villalba Melgarejo from Pexels/ Copyright 2022
A wearable blanket can be introduced for your baby once they start to roll over. This wearable blanket helps in keeping your baby cozy and also warm during the night.
With a wearable blanket, you don’t have to worry about your baby kicking it off similar to an ordinary blanket. They also don’t cover your baby’s face, eliminating the risk of accidental suffocation in babies.
There are plenty of materials in which wearable blankets are available, and guess what? You have a wearable blanket that comes with a sleeve too.
5. Baby Sleeping Bags and Blankets
Loose blankets have the chance to cover your baby’s face, and in cases where your baby’s sleeping bag is not of the correct size, there are chances of it slipping down into it.
To avoid such incidents, use blankets that are lightweight, permit airflow, and tuck them to the sides of the crib.
In the case of a sleeping bag, choose the appropriate size that would have the exact fit around the shoulders, thereby ensuring that the baby’s head remains without slipping down into the sleeping bag.
You can have certain checkpoints while buying one to ensure the safety of your baby. Here are a few for you.
- Examine that the opening of the neck in the bag is the appropriate size as per your little one’s age.
- Confirm that fasteners namely zips are well-fitted so that your baby doesn’t escape from them.
- Make sure there are no loose strings, or your little munchkin’s rosy little fingers or toes might get entangled.
- Ensure there are no detached buttons to avoid choking hazards in babies.
- Some other benefits of using a sleeping bag are as follows.
- Include decreased risk of sleep-related infant deaths.
- Restrains your baby from rolling onto their stomach while they are asleep.
- Keep your baby’s legs in place without dangling out from the rails of the cot.
6. Hats Are a Big No-No for Babies
You should avoid letting babies sleep with hats, hoodies, or any clothing that covers their heads.
It is best to even avoid dressing that covers your baby’s face when they are sleeping, because if these hats accidentally cover the baby’s face, it will hinder their free breathing, and might lead to suffocation.
Also, babies self-regulate by releasing heat from their heads, and wearing a hat may also result in overheating.
7. A Comfortable Temperature for Babies
How do you find out if your baby is in a comfortable temperature and not feeling too hot or cold?
You can find this by checking your baby’s temperature and looking for signs namely sweating, or even touching and feeling their chest.
If you feel they are hot, discard one layer. Also, avoid overdressing your baby if they have a fever or a cold. A baby’s sleeping environment must have an ideal temperature.
You can be confident that a baby’s room is having the ideal temperature for it if you are also comfortable with a similar temperature in the room.
In such temperatures, it is alright for your baby to even have a sleeping bag that is lightweight.
A sleeping bag is a great substitute for swaddling since in this also your baby will feel secure, and cozy with their legs wrapped into it. However, they will have both their arms free for stretching.
You can also find out whether your baby is feeling hot or cold by touching their chest or behind their neck since their hands and feet will remain cool normally.
Most babies might cry when they feel cold than normal. If your baby feels too cold, you can identify it when you touch their tummy, and their response will also be lethargic.
In colder weather, it is best to avoid using electric blankets, or even hot water bottles to keep your baby warm.
8. What Should Baby Wear to Sleep? Types of Baby Clothes
To make your baby sleep peacefully, choose snug-fit dresses. If you make them wear loose clothing, it may lead to a fire hazard, while zipper pulls or buttons might result in a choking hazard. There are various clothes that would be safe to wear for a sleeping baby. Below are a few of them.
8.1. Onesies
Onesies are available as both long-sleeved and short-sleeved. In warmer months, you can opt for the short-sleeved onesie.
In cooler weather, opt for the long-sleeved onesie. You can even pair them with a sock.
8.2. Socks and Mittens
Opting for socks for your baby entirely depends on you. If you find chills on your feet while walking, then it is time to dress your baby in socks.
Mittens, help the baby stay warm. If you find your baby scratching its face, Mittens will come in handy during this time.
You don’t have to be concerned about the scratches, as a baby’s skin will heal quite fast.
8.3. Sleeveless Vests
You can make your baby sleep by making them wear sleeveless vests.
They are very comfortable for your baby especially, during summer, and let them have a restful sleep without sweating a lot.
8.4. Footed Pajamas
This dress is comfortable for your baby during cooler weather. Though pajamas are available in various fabrics, cotton is the best choice when the weather is warm.
Fleece is best during winter, while terrycloth is suitable during the spring and fall seasons.
You even have footless pajamas which are similar to footed suits, however, it does not contain feet at the bottom. Here you can decide to cover your baby’s feet with a sock or leave it as such depending on the weather.
There is more. You have two-piece pajamas where there is a top and a separate bottom. The sleeves are available as both short or long, however, both are footless.
It is best to use this pattern when your baby is a little old or even a toddler. In case, you are choosing this for your little tot, ensure that both the top and bottom are a snug fit.
9. Safe Sleep Guidelines for Your Sleeping Baby
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There are various tips for your baby to have a safe sleep which are provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Following these tips can significantly reduce the risk associated with sleep-related infant deaths. Here are those for you.
- If your baby has not yet turned one, you should ensure that they are always put to sleep on their back on a steady surface.
- Once your baby begins to roll over avoid using swaddles, since it may hinder their arm movements which are necessary for them to flip over securely.
- You can provide your baby with the best sleep environment with cribs that are secure along with a firm mattress and snug-fit bedsheets.
- Avoid any loose objects inside the crib namely pillows, stuffed toys, blankets, positioners, and other similar things.
- You should definitely avoid overheating as it has the risk of leading to sudden infant death syndrome. So, while you dress your baby comfortably, avoid overdressing them.
- A few symptoms of overheating include flushed skin, heat rashes, damp hair, and quick breathing. If you feel your tiny tot is too hot while touching, you can always remove one layer of clothing, and recheck them after some time.
- If you have a window in the room where you make your baby sleep, open it slightly for air circulation. Also, having a fan in the room not only keeps your baby cool but also ensures the circulation of air in the room, thereby reducing sudden infant death syndrome.
- You should always make your baby sleep in their crib. Avoid allowing them to sleep elsewhere including on a couch, your bed, or even in an armchair.
- Though sharing a bed with your baby is not advisable by most experts, you can sleep closer to them in the same room.
- Never smoke, consume alcohol, or use drugs in case you are sharing a bed with your baby as it might also be a factor in causing SIDS.
- You can also provide a pacifier if you find your baby is having trouble sleeping. However, once they are asleep make sure you take it out from the crib.
- Keep your baby safe in the crib by eliminating dangerous objects near the crib namely electrical cords, mobiles, and similar items.
- You might also need to do diaper changes a little frequently during nighttimes in your baby’s initial days, so that they don’t lose sleep, and start crying.
- If you feel disposable diapers are causing rashes and itching to your baby, you may switch to cloth diapers. Since disposable diapers contain synthetic fabric, your baby might face such issues during summer.
- There will also be lots of sweating when the weather is very hot, and wearing diapers with synthetic fabric will absorb the sweat in the waistband resulting in your baby becoming more uncomfortable.
Hence watch out for rashes, or allergies, and decide about switching to cloth diapers.
10. Migrating to a Pillow
You cannot migrate to either a pillow or a duvet until your baby turns one.
However, once your baby turns into a toddler after turning one, you can introduce pillows or a duvet since the risk of SIDS will not be there. You can also stop using sleep sacks.
Yet, it is vital that you maintain their sleep environment securely. You can follow a few tips below.
You can try not to use cot bumpers since your little munchkin might try to use these bumpers for climbing out of the cot. However, you don’t have to worry about the strangulation risk, as it no longer exists at this stage.
Avoid hanging mobiles, and toys containing strings to eliminate the risk of your little one getting entwined in them at night.
Instead of filling the entire cot with soft toys, limit them to only a few.
While introducing a pillow or a duvet, make sure it is toddler appropriate which will be thin, and also it should be compact enough to fit the cot.
Bottom Line
Dressing your baby to sleep plays a vital role in them having a safe and sound sleep. Make sure you dress them appropriately as per the temperature.
You need not worry much as to what should baby wear to sleep. You will get used to dressing them for sleep with time. Experiment with various sleep sacks, a swaddle blanket, or pajamas, and find the best for your tiny tot.
Last Updated on by ritukhare
