As if there isn’t enough to think about when you’ve just had a baby, dressing your baby for bed is something first time mum me fretted about a lot.
What sort of bedding did we need to get? What did we need to look for in night wear? What if they got too hot? What if they got too cold? The list of things to worry about went on and on!
Four times mum me now knows that by investing in a few key items and by knowing what’s safe when it comes to baby sleep dressing your baby for bed needn’t be a minefield at all. In fact, it’s actually really simple and straight forward!
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If any of my first-time mum questions sound familiar to you too in this collaborative post here are five things to consider when dressing your baby for bed.
5 things to consider when dressing your baby for bed
1. Check the temperature in the room
Is it too hot? Is it too cold? There’s nothing worse than trying to go to sleep in a room that’s too hot or too cold – and the same goes for babies. It’s also really important to ensure little ones don’t overheat, especially at night time, so it’s worth investing in a thermometer so you can keep track of the temperature in the room your baby is sleeping in. According to The Lullaby Trust the safest room temperature for babies is between 16 and 20 degrees with light bedding or a lightweight, well-fitting baby sleep bag.
2. Adapt to the environment you’re in
For example, dressing your baby for a summer night is different to dressing your baby for a winter night. Similarly, dressing your baby for a summer night in the UK is different to dressing your baby for bed on a summer holiday abroad somewhere hot. Having a range of sleepwear with both long sleeves and short sleeves will ensure you’re prepared for every occasion – and all types of weather.
3. Prepare for winter
I’ve always found a baby sleeping bag or baby swaddle bag is a must for winter and they’re brilliant if you have a bedside cot or crib or want to avoid loose bedding too. There are all sorts of styles to choose from, from bags with front opening zips to bags with poppers on the shoulders, in a range of fabric from organic cotton to bamboo. You can even get clever ones with pushchair or car seat openings so you don’t have to wake them up in order to travel!
4. Know your TOG ratings
Just like grown up duvet covers, baby sleepwear comes with its own TOG ratings too. TOG stands for Thermal Overall Grade which indicates the thermal insulation of a product, and like regular bedding the higher the tog, the warmer the sleeping or swaddle bag will be. Most baby sleeping and swaddle bags come in a range of tog ratings so you can choose what’s right for you and your environment.
5. Remember every baby is different!
Of my four babies two felt the cold and liked to be swaddled at night time, and two were like little radiators and preferred to have their arms free to move around. Every baby is different and what works for one may not necessarily work for another. Once you get to know your baby together you’ll work out what’s right for you.
Do you have any top tips for dressing your baby for bed? I’d love to know what they are!
This is a collaborative post.
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