Nov
How to keep your baby warm
As a new parent, it’s easy to worry when the winter months set in, and temperatures start dropping. You will be wondering how to keep your baby warm at night. But equally you don’t want your little one staying hovered up all day from being too hot or cold. Here are some tips to keep your baby warm during cold winter nights.
Swaddling
Often, a blanket or sleep sack is wrapped securely around the baby. This is called swaddling. A sleep sack is a wearable blanket that’s safe for all ages and stages. We can use this for newborns and toddlers also. Sleep sacks come in different styles and thicknesses. Some are lightweight and others are heat-retaining. The simplest way to know how warm a sleep sack is to check the TOG rating (unit of measurement for insulation).
Sleeping bag
In case your little one kicks the blankets off very often, you can put him into a sleeping bag (also known as a wearable blanket) Also, close any windows and doors to prevent cold air entering the room. The position of your baby’s crib in the room also affects how comfortable he will feel during sleep. Place the crib or bassinet few feet away from air vents, drafty windows, fans and outside walls. (How to Keep Your Sleeping Baby Safe: AAP Policy Explained, June 2022).
How to keep baby’s head warm at night
Hats during sleep are a big no-no. Hats aren’t safe for sleep as they present risks of suffocation and overheating. Note that while many experts suggest an approximate range of 68-72 degrees, there is no officially recommended temperature for infant sleep. This is because it’s relatively easy to compensate for high or low temperatures by dressing a baby appropriately for sleep.
A temperature probe on the baby connects to the warmer. This tells the warmer what your baby’s temperature is so it can adjust automatically. Many of these deaths are preventable and practicing the safe sleep guidelines devised by the AAP is an important step in reducing your baby’s risk. The AAP’s guide to safer sleep includes the following basic guidelines: Put your baby to sleep on their back until they are at least one years old.
As the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services explains, the risk of SIDS actually increases during the colder months because of overheating. It strongly advises parents not to overdress babies, and to keep the temperature comfy, but not too hot.
The thought of four-month-old going sleepless at night really puts stress onto both parents’ minds! This makes them vulnerable for coughs as well allergies.
Which can make life really difficult during these seasons – but don’t worry! There are ways you could help keep those little lungs working strong by making sure they’re warm enough at all times using some simple methods like dressing appropriately (Wear layers) hot water bottles wrapped inside cocooning blankets etc.
How to keep sick or premature baby warm?
This is even more important if your baby is sick or premature. Ways to keep babies warm are Drying and warming your baby right after birth. Wet skin can cause your baby to lose heat quickly by evaporation. He or she can quickly lose 2° to 3°F. It is important to warm and dry your baby right away using warm blankets and skin-to-skin contact. How to Safely Dress Your Baby for Colder Nights Given that creating a safe sleep environment should be a top concern for parents, what should you do about keeping your baby warm on those chilly nights.
Bath, bottle, cuddle, bed! Babies with a solid bedtime routine will cry less and sleep more.
Always maintain the Room Temperature Right:
For a newborn, the perfect temperature is between 18-20 degree Celsius. To keep them happy and healthy in their first few months of life try keeping your home’s rooms at this range so they don’t feel too hot or cold! A Room Thermometer can tell you if all goes well with maintaining cozy ambiance for any lightly dressed adult who might enter through doorways into these spaces.
To make sure your newborn doesn’t feel neither too hot nor too cold, try keeping his room at a comfortable temperature of between18 to 20 degrees Celsius. Use a room thermometer to check whether or not your baby’s room stays at a safe, comfortable temperature. Ideally, the room temperature should feel cozy to a lightly clothed adult.
Dress Your Baby Right for the season.
In the wintertime, when it’s cold outside and freezing rain or snow is falling from sky; your baby might not be able to regulate their body temperature due to being ill-equipped with natural warmth. This makes them vulnerable for coughs as well allergies which can make life really difficult during these seasons – but don’t worry! There are ways you could help keep those little lungs working strong by making sure they’re warm enough at all times using some simple methods like dressing appropriately ( Wear layers) hot water bottles wrapped inside cocooning blankets etc.
Use a Firm Mattress for support
Keep your baby safe and warm by using a well-fitting waterproof mattress protector. It will prevent the cold air entering the bottom of their crib. Mattresses that are too soft will be risky due to smothering hazards. Materials like cotton and vinyl will allow heat out without feeling moist against skin after use. Duvets can also lead to overheating. Don’t use a hot water bottle or an electric blanket.
Use a Sleeping Bag (swaddle)
In order to provide your baby with a comfortable and restful sleep in those freezing nights, it’s necessary for you wrap him up well. You can add or remove layers of blankets depending on if your baby is too hot or too cold. Alternatively, you may choose to buy a baby sleeping bag or sleep-sack. A thick swaddling blanket will do just the trick! If he kicks off his covers very often then put on something else like an extra layer of clothing or even use one side as sleeping bag (also known as wearable blankets).
Keep the Baby away from air vent.
Place your baby’s crib or bassinet as far away from air vents, drafty windows and outside walls that it can be without affecting their comfort. Make sure all of these things are closed too! If you want them to sleep well at night make sure there is enough temperature change in the room so they don’t grow chilly during daylight hours while sleeping.
Cover the Baby’s Hands and Head
These tips for keeping your baby warm in cold weather are especially important since baby’s have delicate skin. A soft hat with earflaps will help keep their head cozy. Lightweight mittens can offer an extra layer between them and nature’s elements. For more protection against harsh winter climate, consider putting on socks before wrapping up little ones’ feet.
Preheat the Crib Before Putting the Baby Down:
To keep your baby warm and cozy pre heat the crib for 30 minutes before putting them down for sleep. You can use the hot water bottle or heating pad for this purpose. Make sure that it is taken off on time.
WHICH BEDDING IS BEST FOR MY BABY?
To reduce the risk of SIDS, make sure your baby’s bedroom is safe and comfortable. Avoid loose bedding that can get caught in their mouth or blocking their airways while they sleep. Tuck all sheets into mattress corners securely before putting them on. So, these do not rise higher than shoulder height. If we find our little ones heads covered up with blankets then this may be why there are more cases involving SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
How do I keep my baby warm at night without a blanket?
Instead of blanketing, use clothes. For some reason, your child might benefit from wearing vests underneath their baby-grow or pajamas.
HOW DO IDENTIFY IF MY BABY IS TOO COLD OR TOO HOT?
When checking the temperature of your baby look at the head, arms and legs. If they seem blue or blotchy then snuggle them up a bit more so that they will be warmer! The key here is to avoid overheating, due to the risks associated with SIDS (cot death).Loose bedding such as blankets and quilts can cause accidental suffocation or overheating.
The best way to know if he/she is too hot would have been placing your hand on his chest.
What is the extra care I need to take care?
As at any other time of the year, you must make sure that you put your baby down to sleep on their back (unless you have been specifically advised otherwise by your doctor) as this greatly reduces the risk of SIDS.
Sleep experts strongly urge to stop swaddling at 8 weeks or first signs of rolling, whichever comes first.
An adult bed is always safer than a sofa or armchair when you are going to sleep for a short time with your baby. The AAP notes: “Even though it is not recommended that infants sleep on the same surface as the parents, there are times when parents may fall asleep while feeding their infant.
Start from day one put them on to their back whenever they go down to sleep – so develop a routine. When they are awake and active, give your baby plenty of tummy time during the day.
