Aaaaah the ultimate question that is on the minds of all worried parents. How to dress baby at night so that he is neither too hot nor too cold. Have I covered him up too much? Did I not cover him enough? Then what are the differences in winter or summer?
We'll guide you so that everything goes well (in any case it will go very well).
The ideal temperature in a baby's room
In the autumn/winter, the ideal temperature is between 18 and 20 degrees. 19 degrees being the reference that doctors, pediatricians and nursery nurses talk about.
Contrary to what we may think, there is no point in heating the room too much. Baby adapts much better to cooler temperatures with a sleeping bag than to a higher temperature in summer :)
To check the temperature two solutions:
- the thermometer : classic, to be consulted before going to bed (not every 5 minutes eh)
- the ultimate babyphones equipped with a built-in thermometer with an alert when the temperature is too low
Dressing baby at night according to the temperature
These are indications, adapt according to your child's behavior :) But keep in mind that if you are warm, baby will be warm, if you are cold, baby will be cold.
Less than 16°C / In winter
Bouh it's starting to get chilly, baby needs to be covered up with all that gathered :
- Long-sleeved bodysuit
- Velvet/towelling pajamas
- Thick sleeping bag (TOG 2)
- Socks and hat
Between 16 and 17°C
- Long-sleeved bodysuit
- Velvet/towelling pajamas
- Thick sleeping bag (TOG 2)
- Socks
Between 18 and 19°C
We're getting into the ideal temperature :)
- Long-sleeved body
- Velvet/towelling pyjamas
- Slightly less coverage sleeping bag (TOG 1)
Between 20 and 21°C
- Body short sleeves
- Velvet/towelling pajamas
- Sleeping bag (TOG1)
Between 22 and 23°C
- Lightweight, flimsy cotton pajamas
- Lightweight sleeping bag (TOG 0.5)
Between 24 and 25°C
- Body short sleeves
- Lightweight sleeping bag (TOG 0.5)
Over 26°C
In hot weather, the choice is yours:
- A short-sleeved bodysuit or a simple panty diaper :)
At the end of the night, around 3-4am, you can perhaps add a very light sleeping bag if the need arises.
How do you know if baby is too hot or too cold?
Unfortunately, baby doesn't have the speech to tell you how he's feeling. But he does show you some signs to guide you:
- crying or angry
- Baby's neck is hot/frozen/wet: indicators that give you an idea
Your baby's behavior will tell you if he's not too hot or too cold. By running your hand over his neck, stomach or extremities, you'll be able to determine whether or not your child is feeling well :)
Baby's Nighttime Safety Tips
- Baby should be put to sleep on his back, not his tummy, as he cannot roll over until he is about 6 months old
- Never use a blanket or pillow, but rather a sleeping bag before 18 months: very important to avoid any risk of suffocation or sudden infant death
- We don't cover up baby too much, so check that he is not too hot!
- It's better to layer layers to fit during the night than to put on one huge diaper
Babywearing: nothing better to keep warm!
The contact between the baby being carried and the parent naturally leads to mutual warming. Wearing your baby in a house where the heat would be too low is a good, simple and pragmatic option to supplement the heat. Having your infant against you guarantees a suitable and regulated temperature even in a cold house.
If the room temperature is too low to leave an infant alone and not mature enough to thermoregulate on its own, don't hesitate to wear it in a wrap, sling or baby carrier.
For more information: Low heat: Wearing Baby Home in the Winter to Warm Him Up