As the temperatures and seasons change, you may start to wonder how to dress your baby for sleep so they stay comfortable throughout the night.
In this article, we discuss how to dress baby for sleep based on the temperature of their room and give you tips for keeping your baby safe in their crib and helping them sleep well regardless of the season.
Table of contents
Key Takeaways
How to dress baby for sleep
Safety and temperature are the two most important variables to consider when thinking about how to dress your baby for sleep. Let’s take a look at each.
Safety
Your baby’s body is not good at regulating heat yet, so they have a higher chance of overheating if they’re wearing too many layers while they sleep.
Choose breathable fabrics that allow air to circulate, and avoid synthetic fabrics (like polyester or fleece) directly against your baby’s skin. Synthetic fabrics can trap heat and moisture and should only be used as an outer layer in combination with a breathable fabric base layer.
You also want to make sure your baby is dressed in clothing appropriate for their age to prevent safety risks. For example, once your baby begins rolling over, you should no longer swaddle them for sleep.
Temperature
Your little one may prefer a slightly different combination of clothing, but use the guidelines below as a starting point for how to dress them for sleep according to the room temperature.
Under 60℉: Long-sleeved onesie + mittens + socks + long-sleeved pajamas (or full pajamas with hands and feet) + sleep sack OR swaddle
61-63℉: Long-sleeved onesie + socks + long-sleeved pajamas (or full pajamas with feet) + sleep sack OR swaddle
64-68℉: Long-sleeved onesie + long-sleeved pajamas (without hands or feet) + sleep sack OR swaddle
69-70℉: Onesie + long-sleeved pajamas (without hands or feet) + sleep sack OR swaddle
71-74℉: Long-sleeved pajamas (without hands or feet) + sleep sack OR swaddle
75-77℉: Onesie + sleep sack OR swaddle
78-79℉: Onesie
80+℉: Diaper only
Keep in mind that anything above 78℉ is generally considered too hot for a baby to sleep safely and comfortably. Room temperatures higher than 78℉ can increase the risk that your baby will overheat.
The recommended temperature range for babies is between 68-72℉ (65-70℉ for toddlers). If your baby’s room is over 78°℉, consider using a fan or cooling the room before putting your baby to bed, as overheating increases the risk of SIDS.
Tips for helping your baby sleep well
Start with a swaddle.
When done correctly, swaddling can help your newborn sleep because it mimics the snugness and warmth of the womb and helps reduce the startle reflex that can cause your baby to wake up in the middle of the night.
That said, as soon as your baby shows signs of trying to roll over (typically around two to four months old), stop swaddling right away and switch to a sleep sack or pajamas so your little one has their arms and legs free.
Know your TOG number.
A TOG number (short for Thermal Overall Grade) is a measure of thermal resistance, indicating how warm or insulating a textile is. TOG numbers apply to everything from blankets to clothing to baby sleepwear.
The lower the TOG rating, the lighter the fabric and the less heat it holds in. The higher the TOG rating, the heavier the fabric and the more heat it holds in.
As a general rule, the TOG rating for your baby’s sleepwear should range from 0.5 to 2.5, and you can use different combinations to achieve the right level of comfort and safety.
Try different fabric and sleepwear options.
Fabrics
For layers that sit directly against your baby’s skin, choose lightweight, natural, and breathable fabrics such as cotton, jersey knit, muslin, or bamboo.
For outer layers, you can include thicker fabrics, but be sure there’s a natural fabric layer between those and your baby’s skin.
Note: Some child health experts recommend avoiding fleece for infants under 12 months due to heat trapping. For that reason, use fleece only in colder rooms (under 68°F) and with close monitoring for signs of overheating.
Sleepwear
Common sleepwear options include:
- Just a diaper
- Onesie
- Pajamas with short sleeves and short legs
- Pajamas with long sleeves and long legs
- Pajamas with feet and hand coverings
- Sleep sack
- Swaddle
Depending on the temperature of the room, you may need to use different combinations of sleepwear (e.g., a onesie and a sleep sack) to keep your little one comfortable while they sleep.
Consider the “You Plus One” rule.
The “You Plus One” rule suggests dressing your baby in one more layer of clothing than you’re wearing. This works great for their waking hours, but it also works well when it’s time to go to sleep.
For example, if you wear a t-shirt and shorts to bed and use a blanket (two layers), consider dressing your baby in a onesie, pajamas with legs and arms, and a sleep sack (three layers).
Because babies under one should not use blankets (keep the crib bare except for a fitted sheet!), adding the sleep sack is a great way to get that third layer in and make sure they stay warm.
Keep in mind that the “You Plus One” rule is just a starting point. Monitor your baby while they sleep, look for signs they are too hot or too cold, and adjust how you dress them accordingly.
Watch for cues your baby is uncomfortable.
The best way to help your baby sleep well is to watch them for cues that they are uncomfortable and change things up accordingly.
If your baby is fussy or restless, has flushed cheeks, rapid breathing, or their chest and the back of their neck feels warm to the touch, chances are they’re too warm. Remove a layer or switch to layers with lower TOG ratings.
If your baby is fussy or restless and their chest or the back of their neck feels cold, chances are they’re too cold. Add a layer or switch to layers with higher TOG ratings.
Use a firm, breathable mattress.
Breathable mattresses — like those offered by Newton — allow for better airflow to help your baby stay cool and reduce the chance that they’ll overheat while they sleep.
And, don’t forget about the fitted sheet that goes on top of the mattress! It should be breathable as well. Our Organic Cotton Sheets are breathable, soft, and safe to use with any crib mattress. They provide a snug fit for all mattresses — standard and mini!
Once you’ve got a breathable mattress and sheet set, that’s all your baby needs for a great night’s sleep. Keep their crib clear of any extras, including pillows, blankets, stuffed animals, and bumpers.
Dress for sleep success!
A good night’s sleep is possible when you know how to dress your baby for sleep.
First and foremost, take into account the temperature of the room in which your little one will be sleeping, and remember the “You Plus One” layering rule. After that, try different fabrics and sleepwear options, and watch for cues that your baby is uncomfortable (either hot or cold).
Finally, use a breathable Crib Mattress and fitted sheet that allow for superior airflow, comfort, and safety.
With Newton’s breathable sleep products, you can dress your baby for sleep success every night!
Frequently asked questions
Is it OK to put a blanket on my baby when they sleep?
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), your baby should not sleep with a blanket — or anything in their crib other than what they’re wearing – until they’re at least 12 months old (18 months is better).
Even after they start sleeping with a blanket, it’s still a good idea to keep their crib free of other items such as pillows and stuffed animals until they transition to a toddler bed.
At that age, they’ll be stronger and more physically able to move the items away from their head — or move their head away from the items — if their breathing becomes obstructed.
Is it OK to put a hat on my baby when they sleep?
Though your baby may wear a hat throughout the day, it’s not OK for them to do so while they sleep. Regardless of where they fall asleep, remove the hat as soon as possible.
The main reason for this is that your baby can overheat easily, and their head is the primary area for heat regulation. Wearing a hat while they sleep can trap heat against their head and increase the risk of overheating.
Additionally, the hat can fall off or work its way over your baby’s face and become a suffocation hazard.
When should my baby stop using a sleep sack?
As a general rule, your baby can continue using a sleep sack until they’re about two or until they’ve outgrown the largest size, whichever comes first. Transitioning away from a sleep sack is less about a strict age or size requirement and more about your baby’s comfort.
Regardless of age, if your baby is fussy and doesn’t appear to like the sleep sack, they may be ready to switch to a onesie, pajamas, or one of the other sleepwear options.
