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BabySense, a creator of infant-related monitoring technology, recently discussed how the perfect temperature in a child's nursery sits between 68°F and 72°F. While the environment is simple enough to control, your baby's comfort is harder to perfect, as their soft skin is much more sensitive to even the most subtle changes in texture or moisture. So, do you know how to dress your baby for sleep and avoid the possibility of skin flare-ups or other issues?
Below you will find seven science-backed infant sleep safety tips. Use eco-innovative and gentle baby fabrics to start dressing your baby safely and comfortably. Read on to solve the problems of irritation and the sleepless nights that come with it.
1. How to Dress Your Baby for Sleep in One Gentle Layer
When you first look for baby sleepwear essentials, seek out a short-sleeved onesie to encompass them and keep them covered. Aim for a snug fit that allows two fingers to glide under the neckline with minimal effort but keeps the child softly held.
Avoid anything that uses elastic, such as around the cuffs, as these are likely to cause red rings around those areas, especially with babies with chunky wrists. The last thing you want is to accidentally reduce the circulation in those areas or cause anything to press too firmly against the child's skin for any reason.
So long as the nursery stays at the planned temperature, limit the number of layers to one piece. Having more than that might feel like you are providing more comfort, but in truth, you are starting to risk the possibility of overheating. As explained by pediatrician Summer Health, this is very important as, at the start of a baby's life, dressing them only in a single layer, such as a onesie or sleep sack, prevents them from getting too hot or cold.
If necessary, rotate between two or more onesies based on whether one remains comfortable due to soiling or other difficulties.
2. Pick Bamboo or Cotton Onesies Rather Than Polyester
Using natural fibers in your child's clothing helps the fabrics remain breathable, preventing discomfort due to clamminess or increased humidity around their skin, which can lead to issues such as sweat rashes or triggering eczema. Polyester and other artificial fibers can also trap pests such as dust mites, which can trigger skin conditions.
Between the two, however, we would recommend bamboo fibers like those we use in our sleep sacks. These are better able to heat due to wicking moisture away from the body along the natural channels in bamboo fibers. The material helps with both heat and humidity, and can protect baby skin overnight by keeping a young one as comfortable as possible.
3. Check Seam Placement for Chafing
When you lie the child down, put them in a position where they are unlikely to rest on the seams of the sleepwear. This step is crucial if you resort to using artificial fabrics, as these can cause significant issues, like exacerbating symptoms of eczema or similar skin conditions.
As you inspect your options, look for flatlock seams, which can lie flush against the torso, offering more comfort. Alongside a product with natural ingredients, you can avoid irritation or feelings of scratchiness during a child's rest. Inspect the sleepwear's armpits too, as the area is notorious for raised stitching that may rub against your young one's skin as they move around or flail.
Some other things to watch out for include:
- Nickel snap fasteners
- Pilling
- Strong dyes
- Loose threads
Each of these could affect your child's skin in different ways as they move or sweat during the night.
4. Perfect the Nursery Temperature with TOG
As mentioned, keeping the nursery at around 70°F is best to ensure the optimal temperature for an infant's sleep period. However, if you find it hard to get the temperature exactly there due to a malfunctioning thermostat or other issues, add or subtract layers instead of constantly changing the thermostat.
The TOG rating measures how warm any specific piece of sleep equipment will be, and this is usually tested by authorities such as the IDFL (International Down and Feather Testing Laboratory). Check any label or manufacturer's instructions to determine how warm the sleepwear or other items might be if you cannot keep the room within a couple of degrees of 70°F. Generally:
- TOG 0.5 is best for rooms above 75°F
- TOG 1.0 works in rooms that sit at 68°F - 75°F
- TOG 2.5 - TOG 3.5 is best for rooms of 61°F - 68°F
To save yourself the confusion and the need to buy multiple sleepwear, you may opt for an all bamboo sleep sack that naturally adjusts to regulate baby's temperature keeping them cool when it gets hot, and warm during those chilly hours at night. Saving you the worry or concern of overheating or getting cold.
5. Monitor Your Child's Temperature
Outside of the above, ensure that you continue to check the infant's temperature by touching their chest and then adjust their sleepwear if they feel too warm or cool. Overheating is a risk factor for SIDS, according to many healthcare sources, so your child's temperature is always essential to be aware of.
6. Switch to a Sleep Sack at the Right Time
Once the baby starts showing the ability to roll over, you need to enable their own movements during the night. This transition tends to occur at around 3-4 months. At that time, move to an arms-free bamboo sleep sack to help them maintain their warmth.
These should not be weighted, as that can be unsafe due to the low strength of infants.
7. Guard Your Baby's Sensitive Skin
Don't take too long with your child's nighttime routine:
- Give them a short bath to avoid dehydrating skin
- Apply unscented moisturizer after patting them dry
- Use a cool-mist humidifier to increase air moisture in the winter
- Dress them in dye-free and breathable fabrics
- Change the sheets twice each week to remove dust or allergens
Make Safe Sleep a Sustainable Habit
Mastering how to dress your baby for sleep means you will experience fewer wakeful moments and more rest. Gentle fabrics that match the ambient temperature can help to give your child the comfortable night they need.
To help further, check out our shop for the hypoallergenic Theta Pouch. Here at The Sleep Theory, we designed this sleep sack with care to maintain your baby's safe temperature and promote sustainable baby products. Enjoy a quieter night and greater peace of mind today.
