How can I keep my baby warm at night without blankets?

How can I keep my baby warm at night without blankets?

It is dangerous for an infant to overheat at night. For example, the bedroom typically should be kept cool – sometimes recommended at around 18C (between 16 and 20 degrees Celsius, or between ) and parents should make sure that their baby is not overdressed or sweating. Parents also worry about their baby getting too cold. This can be assessed by touching the baby’s skin (for instance, on the head and hands). For an adult, it is easy to add a blanket in order to keep warm at night; however, this is not advisable for an infant, who could become tangled in the blankets with a related suffocation risk.

Instead of adding blankets, add a layer of clothing. For example, you may want to consider whether your baby may benefit from a wearing vest under his or her baby-grow or pajamas. You may prefer to put your baby in a baby-grow/onesie with feet when it is cold, but without at warmer times of the year.

When infants are a little older (about 6 months or older) some parents like the use of baby sleeping bags (or, safe sleep sacks) which can fasten in a way to help avoid the baby slipping down at night. These come in different ‘togs’ (a unit of measurement used to calculate thermal resistance, or warmth)– and it is important to make sure that you select a sleeping bag/sleep sack that is appropriate given the ambient temperature and the temperature of your baby. It is best to use a reputable brand and to always check the safety information that comes with such products before using them with your child.