You want to be sure your baby’s room is just right for sleep, and you worry that it might be too chilly. You wonder, what are the signs that a baby is cold at night?
In this article, we’ll discuss how to tell if your baby’s too cold and tell you what to do to make them comfortable again.
Key Takeaways
Best room temperature for a baby
A room temperature of 68 to 72 degrees is the general recommendation for a baby to get a good night’s sleep.
If the room is too hot, there’s a higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) as well as heat rash and other heat-related illnesses.
If the room is too cold, your baby may be uncomfortable and have trouble sleeping. While viruses, not cold air, cause respiratory infections, breathing very cold, dry air can irritate a baby's airway.
How to check your baby’s temperature
To check if your baby is too cold while they’re sleeping, gently place your hand on their upper back, stomach, or chest. If their core is cold, adjust the room temperature or add a layer of clothing.
If your little one’s core is warm but their hands, feet, or nose are chilly, don’t worry. This is due to their underdeveloped circulatory system and is completely normal.
Signs your baby is cold at night
In addition to how the skin on your baby’s core (back, stomach, and chest) feels, there are other signs you might notice that could indicate they’re too cold at night. Let’s take a look.
Cold to the touch
As we mentioned above, if your baby feels cold when you pick them up, the room temperature may be too low. Remember: don’t judge by their hands, feet, or nose. Instead, feel their back, chest, or stomach.
Pale or blotchy skin
If your baby’s normally healthy skin is looking pale or blotchy, they may be too cold.
Shivering
Are you noticing your baby has small tremors as they sleep? Another sign that your baby is too cold is if they’re shivering.
Sleeping in a tucked-in position
Your baby’s sleeping position may also give a clue as to whether the room is too cold. Sleeping with their arms and feet tucked in could be your baby’s way to warm themselves up.
Waking up often
If your baby’s too cold, it’s hard for them to stay asleep, so if they’re waking up at night, it might be because they’re uncomfortable.
Difficulty falling asleep
Likewise, if it’s too cold in their room, your baby may also have a hard time falling asleep.
Restlessness or fussiness
Is your little one tossing and turning or getting extra fussy? Increased restlessness is yet another sign that the temperature is too cold for comfort.
Clinginess
Is your baby clinging to you every chance they get? They may be trying to tell you they don’t want to be put down because it’s too chilly.
What to do if you see signs your baby is cold at night
If you see signs your baby is cold at night, there are things you can do to help.
Reset the Thermostat.
First, reset the thermostat to between 68 and 72 degrees. The room should feel cool but not cold. Check for open windows or anything else that might be making the room extra chilly.
Monitor the room temperature.
Sometimes room temperature can fluctuate at night, and because babies don’t thermoregulate well yet, it can be challenging for them to stay at a comfy temperature. It’s a good idea to put a thermometer in the room and check it periodically.
Dress baby for the room temperature.
It’s important to dress your little one for the temperature in the nursery. Your baby should wear one more layer than what would make you comfortable in the room.
Breathable materials
When choosing baby’s sleep outfit, look for breathable materials, like organic cotton.
Lightweight layers
Add lightweight layers to increase warmth. Start with a onesie and top it off with a romper. You might also wrap your baby in a swaddle or put them in a sleep sack.
Note: Stop swaddling as soon as your baby starts to show signs of rolling over, which usually happens around two to four months.
TOG rating
If you dress your little one in a sleep sack for bed, pay attention to the TOG (thermal overall grade) rating. Sleep sacks come in different TOGS, from .2 to 2.5, corresponding to the weight of the fabric.
Other tips for a good night’s sleep
Because your baby grows and develops while off in dreamland, do all you can to help them get a good night’s sleep. Here are some tips.
1) Make sure the nursery is dark and quiet.
Your baby’s nursery should be dark and quiet at bedtime. To shield them from the light, try blackout shades. And, to keep any outside noise at bay, a white noise machine can help.
2) Keep safety in mind.
You’ll want to ensure your baby is as safe as possible while they sleep. First, when you put them down for the night, place them on their back.
They should only be sleeping in a crib, bassinet, or travel crib, and make sure that it’s bare with nothing in it but the mattress, fitted sheet, and your baby. It should also be positioned away from windows, cords, or anything else that can pose a danger.
In addition, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends room sharing for the first six months at least (but never, ever bed share!).
3) Keep baby comfortable.
Having the right mattress will work wonders for your baby’s sleep. You’ll want a mattress that’s both firm and breathable, such as Newton’s Original mattress.
Our mattress is not only breathable and firm, but it’s also washable, cover to core. It features an ultra-breathable zippered cover as well. Top it off with one of our Breathable, Organic Cotton Sheets.
4) Put baby to bed drowsy but awake.
When your baby is ready to nod off, put them to bed while they’re drowsy but still awake. This will help them learn to self-soothe and eventually sleep through the night.
Bedtime with Newton
Now that you know the signs that your baby is cold at night and what to do about it, it’s time to set up the baby’s nursery for a comfortable night’s sleep.
With a Newton Original Mattress and a Breathable, Organic Fitted Sheet, your little one will be off to dreamland in no time! The firm and breathable mattress is extra comfortable thanks to its soft, quilted, removable cover.
When it’s bedtime, Newton’s here to help your little one get the most restful sleep possible.
Frequently asked questions
Should I cover my baby’s hands at night?
You can cover your baby’s hands at night to give them some extra warmth and protection if the room is cold, but if it’s between 68 and 72 degrees, your little one should not need mittens.
Also, once they’re rolling over or getting more hand control, stop covering baby’s hands so you’re not restricting their movement.
Should I put socks on my baby at night?
Like hand coverings, you can put socks on your baby at night if the room is cold, but if the room is temperate, socks shouldn’t be necessary.
If your baby is wearing socks to bed, ensure they fit snugly and are safe for sleep, without embellishments, beads, or anything that could pose a choking hazard.
How often should I check my baby’s temperature at night?
Although there’s no rule as to exactly how often you should check your baby’s temperature at night, for the first year, you want to stay close to your baby as they sleep and check in on them often.
Newborns have immature thermoregulation, which means they can’t adjust to temperature changes as effectively as older babies. This ability improves over the first few months, but until then, it’s up to you to determine if they’re too cold or hot.
