One of the most common things I talk to parents about are how to dress their baby for sleep. Making sure your baby is dressed for the temperature of their room is one of the things you will find helpful to your little one's sleep. If your baby is too hot or too cold, they will have a hard time sleeping well.
I'm sure most of us as adults do too.
So let's start first with, how do you know if your baby is too hot or too cold if they can't tell you?
A good place to start is by checking the back of your baby's neck. This will be the most accurate reading.
If your baby's neck is sweaty, then they are too warm.
If your baby's neck feels really cold when you touch it, then they are too cold.
It's quite simple and the more often you do it, the more you will learn what is right. So even when you know they are the right temperature, check the back of their neck so you can feel what it should feel like.
Now if your baby is too hot or cold, what should you change to make them comfortable?
First, check the temperature of the room. It should be between 20-22 degrees C/68-71degrees F. Of course, it's not always easy to keep their room that temperature so do your best to get it close to that temperature and then dress your baby accordingly.
Once you know the temperature of your baby's room, you can check out some sleep sack options (because blankets aren't safe for your little ones up until 1 year) to help keep your baby warm in the fall/winter months and even cool in the spring/summer months.
Here are a few of my favorite sleep sacks:
-GroBag
-WeeUrban
-Love To Dream
Each of these sleep sacks have temperature ratings (TOG - Thermal Overall Grade) so that you can choose the right one for your baby.
I have created a chart below that will help you see what is best according to what your baby's room temperature is.
Let me know if you have any questions regarding your baby's sleep wear or room temperature.
If you have other concerns regarding your baby's sleep environment safety, check out my "5 Reasons Why Your Baby's Sleep Environment Isn't Safe & How to Change It".