3 Ways to Keep Your Baby from Overheating in Winter Wardrobe
November 25, 2021Your baby’s winter wardrobe should be layered to protect against the elements, but still, allow room for your child to breathe comfortably. Luckily, there are several ways to keep your baby from overheating in his or her winter wardrobe, so you can have peace of mind knowing that he or she will stay safe sleeping on cold nights. Here are three easy ways to keep your baby from overheating in their winter wardrobe this season!
How To Prevent SIDS
Keeping your baby from overheating when he or she is bundled up for bedtime can be a challenge. Many parents don’t realize that overheating increases a baby’s risk of SIDS. To ensure your infant stays safe and comfortable all night long, follow these three simple steps:
- Keep blankets light and thin such as these cute swaddles from Sandstone Avenue.
- Avoid covering your baby’s head with a blanket at all times
- Never put an infant in his or her crib under a heavy comforter, quilt, or other heavy blankets. Always remove blankets during naps (and change diapers on babies who are still wearing them), but leave blanked on for sleeping at night.
Tips For Keeping Warm
Do keep an eye on your infant’s hands and feet. If they start turning red or are showing signs of discomfort, it may be time for a different outfit or a break from strolling outside. Avoid bulky clothing. Carrying an extra layer might seem helpful, but if it’s thick enough that you can’t check on your baby’s body temperature at any given moment, it could overheat them before you even notice. Also, garments that are so thick they inhibit movement can cause problems with development as well as cut off circulation. Make sure jackets are properly fitted. It should fit snugly but not so tight that it seems constricting or uncomfortable for baby to move freely within their arms and legs.
Do’s And Don’ts
Do dress your baby in lightweight, breathable fabrics, such as cotton. In winter, layering up with a one-piece bodysuit and a pair of pants is probably fine—but you’ll need to be cautious about how much other clothing you put on top. Wool tends to be too warm for babies (and adults) to sleep comfortably. Stick with cotton or lighter material instead. As for shoes, try socks first, but don’t hesitate to give your baby some booties if they start kicking off their socks during sleep. Unsafe sleeping practices are among one of the biggest risk factors for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), so always read up on safe sleeping tips before tucking your little one into bed at night. Do use a pacifier such as those from Babeehive Goods to reduce the risk of SIDS. The action of sucking on a pacifier requires movement from the tongue so it lowers the chances of oropharyngeal obstruction. Don’t use a space heater of any sort. A baby should sleep in a room that is between 68 and 72 degrees. Don’t use a cap, your baby needs to cool themselves down by releasing heat from their head.
There are some really easy ways to keep your baby safe and comfortable, even during those hot summer days. Think about dressing your child more lightly, making sure that he or she doesn’t sleep directly on a surface, and adding extra layers of clothing on top of blankets. When it comes to keeping babies safe and comfortable over winter, one tip goes a long way — be proactive with infant winter wardrobe choices and you can rest easy knowing that your little one is happy and healthy! To learn more about how you can create an ideal sleeping environment for your baby, check this guide on how to make a safe sleeping area for your infant.