Safer sleep in Autumn
by Kate Holmes
Head of Support & Information at The Lullaby Trust
Autumn can be a tricky time for new parents, as we transition from summer and the temperature drops, it can be tempting to wrap your baby up in thick bedding while they sleep, but this can cause them to become too hot. Instead, look at these tips to help keep your baby at a comfortable temperature this autumn and winter.
What’s the ideal room temperature?
Ideally, the room your baby sleeps in should be between 16 and 20 °C, but this can be difficult to maintain when it’s cold. Babies aren’t great at regulating their body temperature, so wrapping them up in layers of thick bedding to combat the cold can easily cause them to overheat. Overheating increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and research shows that babies are better off being cooler rather than too hot.
Is my baby too hot or cold?
Every baby is different; some are naturally warmer or cooler than others. It’s important to keep an eye on your baby for signs they are getting too hot or too cold. Feel their chest or back of the neck – if their skin feels sweaty or clammy, they’re too hot and you need to remove a layer of bedding/bedclothes or use a lower tog sleeping bag. If you notice that your baby is too cool, then you can add a lightweight layer. Don’t worry if your baby’s hands and feet feel cold, this is completely normal.
What should my baby wear to sleep in when it’s cold?
During the winter, a firmly tucked-in blanket (not above shoulder height) or a well-fitted baby sleeping bag are good options. With baby sleeping bags, you can choose different togs for different seasons to help keep your baby at the right temperature. Do not add extra blankets on top of your baby’s sleeping bag. Instead, if you think they’re cold, you can add an extra layer of clothing or choose a higher tog sleeping bag. If you choose a blanket, go for something lightweight. Avoid thick, fleecy, weighted or padded bedding (even when it’s freezing!), as these can make your baby too hot. If they’re still cold while they’re under a lightweight blanket, you can add an extra layer of clothing such as a vest under their sleepwear. Using lightweight layers gives you much more flexibility than bulky bedding and enables you to adjust the sleep environment as and when needed.
Other things to avoid
Don’t use hot water bottles, microwavable wheat bags, or electric blankets to heat your baby’s sleep space (even if you remove them before they get in), as these could cause them to overheat. Don’t place your baby’s cot next to a radiator or have a heat source, like a portable heater, directly aimed at your baby as this can also cause your baby to become too hot. For more information on safer sleep in autumn/winter, The Lullaby Trust has produced a free guide, which you can download below.
DOWNLOAD HERE
By Kate Holmes,
Head of Support and Information
The Lullaby Trust