How to keep your baby warm (without overheating them)
Ensure your baby is warm and safe on cold nights and know how to spot overheating.
When you’re deciding how many layers of sleepwear your baby needs at bedtime, take the temperature in their bedroom into consideration. If it’s cold outside but warm enough in the room, there’s no need to overdress them.
Dr Christa Swanepoel, a Johannesburg-based paediatrician, shares the following advice on dressing your baby appropriately:
A room temperature of 20-21°C: A short-sleeve onesie, long-sleeve pyjamas and a light sleep sack (1 TOG).
A room temperature of 18-19°C: A long-sleeve onesie, long-sleeve pyjamas and a light sleep sack (1 TOG).
A room temperature of 16-17°C: A long-sleeve onesie, long-sleeve pyjamas, a light sleep sack (2 TOG) and socks.
A room temperature of 16°C: A long-sleeve onesie, long-sleeve pyjamas, a light sleep sack (2 TOG), socks, gloves and a beanie.
What are the signs that a baby is getting too hot while sleeping?
“Smaller babies are not as good at regulating their temperatures and can easily overheat. The surface area of a baby’s head is proportionately larger than any other area of skin, so babies often regulate their temperature through the scalp, and you will often see a sweaty head before anything else,” says Dr Swanepoel.
To gauge your baby’s temperature, Dr Swanepoel says to touch the nape of their neck – if the skin is sweaty and damp, the baby is too hot. You can then remove a layer of clothing to make them more comfortable. “Doing this ‘touch test’ on their hands and feet is not an accurate measure to judge their body temperature as these will always be cooler than the rest of the body.”
“We know that overheating a baby increases the risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) or cot death. It is therefore better to keep baby cooler rather than too hot,” she advises.
Other signs of overheating include:
• Flushed red skin
• A breathing rate and a heart rate that is faster than normal
• Clammy, flushed skin and damp hair
If you notice these signs, it will usually be enough to remove a layer of clothing or to cool the room down. If your baby remains fussy and irritable or if you notice any more concerning symptoms that could suggest it’s more than just overheating, monitor them and ask a clinic nurse or paediatrician for advice.
Tips on safe sleeping
Safe sleeping is the most important thing to keep in mind when dressing and preparing a baby for sleep, says Dr Swanepoel. Always advocate for safe sleeping to minimise the risk of SIDS and communicate the below guidelines to all your baby’s caregivers.
Before putting your baby down for a nap or to sleep at night, remember:
• Lay them down on their back to sleep – this is always the preferred sleeping position. Tummy time should be playtime, never sleep time.
• If you feel that your baby is cold, rather dress them in an extra layer of clothing – don’t cover them with a loose blanket as this can become a suffocation or strangulation risk.
• Do not clutter the cot or crib with pillows, cot bumpers or plush toys as these can increase the risk of SIDS. A mattress that’s covered with a tight-fitting sheet is all that is needed, in addition to the right sleepwear.
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