How many layers should my baby wear to sleep at night?

The ideal room temperature for your baby's sleep is between 18º and 21º C. And although babies usually sleep better in cool environments, neither too cold nor too hot, with the recent arrival of autumn and, later, winter, temperatures tend to be even lower. Despite using a heater to cope with the cold nights, you wonder if you are dressing your baby appropriately.

Before deciding how many layers you're going to cover your baby with before putting him to bed at night, check out these tips to know how to protect him from the low nighttime temperatures during the fall-winter:

Monitor the temperature of your little one's room

In some areas, temperatures can change rapidly, so you may occasionally need to check the room temperature during the night . You can use a room thermometer for this. If you live in a location with rapid temperature changes, you may need to remove or add more layers while your baby is sleeping.

Look at this chart based on ambient temperature:

In case you didn't know, the TOG measurement of a sleeping bag determines its thickness and therefore how warm it is for your baby. The higher the TOG measurement, the warmer and thicker the sleeping bag.

Swaddle for newborns - Sleeping bag up to 3 years

Sleeping bags and swaddles help maintain a good temperature while your baby sleeps, since even if he moves a lot, he cannot uncover himself. In addition, they provide support and are an excellent step in the sleeping routine .

For newborns, a swaddle is recommended. When you notice that your baby starts to roll over while sleeping , you can replace it with a sleeping bag.

The stove and your baby's safety

If your home does not have heating and you use a heater to keep your child's room warm, for safety, choose one that is electric : not gas or paraffin.

The use of blankets

Do you have a newborn or is your baby still sleeping in a crib? Don't cover him or her with a blanket. Covers are unsafe, uncomfortable and inefficient , as your little one can easily uncover himself or get tangled in them.

If you notice that your baby is cold, add an extra layer of clothing. Your baby will feel more comfortable and will sleep in a safe crib .

Dress your baby the way you dress yourself

Dress your little one in the same number of layers as you do. If you don't feel hot or cold in what you wear, chances are that dressing your baby in the same number of layers will make him feel fine too.

However, remember that sensitivity to cold or heat is personal . As you get to know your baby, you'll know exactly how many layers to put on based on the temperature of the room.

Check if your baby feels cold or hot

It's normal for your baby's extremities, such as feet, hands, cheeks and nose to be somewhat cold while sleeping . That's why the best way to check if your little one is cold or hot is to monitor his chest or upper back:

• If it's warm, then your baby is fine.
• If you notice one or both cold areas, it means that he or she feels cold.
• And of course, if you see that he is very sweaty, it means he is hot.

Making sure your baby sleeps comfortably and with the right layers for the temperatures will help him get a quality night's sleep.

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