Last Updated on 8 months by Namrata
It sounds like a basic question, but many parents may wonder how to dress and sleep their baby so that they and their baby sleep soundly. Your baby can sleep soundly in a safe and comfortable environment that is not too hot or cold. It is important that your baby’s clothing creates the desired comfort.
When dressing your child at any time yearly, the vital thing to remember is to follow the temperature inside the room, not outside. We all know that the outside temperature doesn’t necessarily determine the climate in your house. Want to know the best outfit for your baby’s bedtime? Read this post to learn all the important things on how to dress your baby for sleep.
MORE POSTS: What to wear to a baby shower as a guest?
What should your baby wear to bed in the summer?
As rule number one, you should dress your baby according to room temperature. Nightwear and dresses that make your baby feel comfortable and secure are good choices. Experts recommend adding layers to the dress your baby wants to wear comfortably. Here are some basic rules for dressing your child
- Wear light clothing and breathable fabrics.
Lightweight materials like cotton keep babies cool. Avoid heavy fabrics such as wool and flannel. In summer, a short-sleeved dress is usually fine.
- Add layers to the night suit.
Consider dressing your baby in multiple layers of comfortable clothes, not bulky pajamas. We recommend adding or reducing layers as the ambient temperature changes.
- Use less baby powder and lotion in summer.
Yes, powders and lotions can help keep your baby’s skin soft and healthy. However, skin tends to be much more sensitive in summer than usual. In such scenarios, powders and lotions can irritate your baby’s skin instead of improving it. Thus, decreasing the use of these products in the summer will benefit your loved one.
- Avoid hats and scarves.
Babies can quickly overheat if they sleep with a hat or scarf on. There can also be a choking hazard. Therefore, do not cover your baby’s head and face when they sleep. If possible, dress your baby in newborn sleepwear made from approved materials and designed for a secure fit. If you find summer sleepwear for newborns, dress your baby in it at night and during naps.
- Do not cover the baby’s face.
Choose clothes that make your newborn’s face look neat. Avoid clothing with hoods or high collars that might cover your baby’s face while he sleeps. Stay cool and breathe safely.
- Do not cover the infant’s head.
Infants regulate their body temperature primarily through their heads. Many people like to wear a hat to protect and comfort their newborn baby, but wearing it on a sleeping baby in the summer can quickly cause overheating.
- Going with only diapers
Whether summer or winter is approaching, ambient temperatures can rise rapidly and generally be hot. The best way to keep your little one comfortable during times like these is to strip them of all their clothes and roll them around in diapers. While putting your child to sleep, you can cover him with a very thin cloth to keep him comfortable. Your little one can run around in the heat without worrying about wearing diapers.
- Avoid loose clothing around your neck.
Please do not put your ward to sleep with clothes hanging around his neck, as it can cause suffocation. A one-piece suit with integrated legs is a good option.
- Choose a safe sleeping bag.
A properly sized sleeping bag is ideal for keeping your baby’s head and face uncovered while sleeping. These pockets help prevent overheating, tumbling, and feet hanging outside the crib. You can also choose a sleeping bag that hangs around the neck without a hood. These facilitate arm movement and prevent babies from slipping. Depending on the TOG (Total Temperature Rating), you can choose sleeping bags for different temperatures.
Experts do not recommend using blankets in newborn beds as they pose a choking hazard. However, using a sleeping bag (portable blanket) eliminates this risk, as the baby can be tightly wrapped with Velcro or snaps.
What fabric should you buy for my baby’s summer clothes?
Different fabrics are suitable for infant clothing. Also, while it’s safe to assume that children’s clothing usually has the right materials for safety and comfort, we’ve found it important to always check. When the temperature is high, choosing materials that allow your baby to cope with the temperatures is important rather than making life difficult for him.
- Cotton
It is the most comfortable fabric for hot weather. Not only is it cheap and widely used, but it is also soft, light, and breathable. Compared to other fabrics, heat can escape from the body instead of trapping it. It is very important to keep babies cool who already have difficulty properly sweating. Sleeping Baby has a wide range of 100% organic cotton baby clothes for parents who prefer to use only natural materials and for parents with babies with particularly sensitive skin.
- Synthetic
Some people may want to avoid synthetic clothing but it has many benefits for both children and parents. Synthetic materials can provide improved functionality such as stretch, quick drying, and in some cases, water resistance, and can also last longer than natural materials.
For example, Sleeping Baby’s lightweight collection takes advantage of the breathable and flexible properties of the polyester to provide cotton’s style and comfort benefits while giving kids the perfect option for warm weather. In addition, the cotton and polyester blend eliminates the hassle of frequent ironing.
- Linen
Linen is also a perfect choice for summer. It keeps you cool in hot weather due to its breathable fabric. The rough weave makes it very light. On the downside, linen is slightly more expensive and requires more maintenance than cotton because it wrinkles easily.
- Rayon
Rayon is an artificial fiber that blends wood pulp, cotton, and other natural or synthetic fibers. It looks and feels just like silk but is much more affordable, making it a popular choice for summer wardrobes. A major drawback of viscose is that it is usually recommended that most garments be hand washed or dry-cleaned to prevent shrinkage from washing.
How to protect newborns from the summer sun?
The summer sun quickly becomes too strong for adults. The effects can be even stronger for infants and young children and cause health problems if proper precautions are not taken. So always stay in your safe zone.
• Keep your baby hydrated by feeding and drinking.
• Always choose a well-shaded area where your baby can be kept.
• There are special sunglasses that can protect newborns from UV rays.
• Babies with sensitive skin may choose special UV protective clothing.
• A simple hat that covers the face and head properly can protect your baby from the harsh sun.
Knowing how to dress your baby for the summer allows you to plan your wardrobe accordingly and gives you a good idea of choosing the right clothes for each season. A child in a comfortable and safe environment is always physically and mentally happy.
How to maintain your baby’s nursery during the summer?
You can maintain the baby’s nursery in the following way.
• Keep toys, blankets, and pillows away from the crib.
Experts recommend putting nothing in a newborn’s crib or basket net but a snug-fitting sheet over the mattress. Toys, blankets, pillows, and other items can pose a choking hazard and overheat your baby. If you co-sleep, make sure your baby is not near the bedding.
• Avoid direct sunlight
Most pediatricians advise avoiding direct sunlight to minimize adverse effects on your baby. Young children are particularly vulnerable to the sun’s harmful rays, causing sunburn on their thin and delicate skin. Sunburns can also cause permanent cuts and scrapes if overexposed.
• Turn on the fan
Try a box or swing fan if you don’t have air conditioning or need extra cooling in your baby’s room. However, place the baby so that the wind does not blow directly on the baby’s face, and keep it away from cradles and baskets. Hanging wet towels in the room is another way to cool the room.
• Ensure your baby is not too warm
Some classic signs show your baby is too hot. If you notice the below signs, remove some of your newborn’s clothing or move him to a cooler place.
- The baby’s forehead is sweating.
- My ears are hot to the touch
- You may feel a dent on the top of your newborn’s forehead.
- Excitement in combination with any of the above
• Ensure good ventilation
Lack of ventilation reduces the precious oxygen your baby needs to survive. It makes breathing much more difficult than in adults and can promote dehydration and overheating. A short stay in a hot room or parked car can raise the temperature.
Open windows and interior doors to improve air circulation and use fans to improve indoor airflow if necessary. However, do not place the crib too close to strong air currents as this may catch the baby cold.
What clothes to choose for your baby in hot weather?
Choosing the right clothes for your newborn in the summer can seem very subjective. But sticking to a few common and tried-and-true aspects can help you make better choices for your child.
- Use yourself as a reference for finding what your baby is comfortable with. If you are wearing shorts and loose shirts for the summer, pick something alike for your baby.
- Wearing short-sleeved dresses will give your baby the airflow they need. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen to your baby’s hands and feet when going out.
- If you visit gardens or woodlands for a summer picnic, bring baby-friendly insect repellent to apply to your body. Otherwise, choose lightweight hoodies or pajamas that cover your entire body.
- It may be convenient to store additional clothing. Avoid socks for baby nights, and choose one-piece suits from lightweight fabrics.
- Make sure the baby carrier or sling you carry your baby in is comfortable, just as the colors and textures of clothing should be bright.
FAQs
Should you swaddle your baby in the summer?
Even if your baby is a newborn, you may swaddle him to reduce the startle reflex. In this case, lightweight swaddle blankets are popular and easy to find. These swaddles add an extra layer, so it’s a good idea to ditch booty pajamas and instead dress your baby in a lightweight, short-sleeved bodysuit to keep them from getting too warm. When you see signs of tossing and turning, it’s time to ditch the swaddle. It is dangerous because the baby may fall on their stomach while sleeping.
Should you check on your baby during bedtime?
It doesn’t hurt to check if you’re worried about your sleepy body temperature at night. If you know your child best, you can better assess your child’s health. Place your hand on your dog’s belly during the nighttime temperature measurement. If their stomach feels a little warm, that’s a good sign that they are comfortable. If it gets cold, wearing socks, mittens, or a hat can keep them warm without waking your baby. Also, extremities are often colder than the internal temperature, but heat can easily escape, so covering them keeps them warm.
Conclusion
The little ones cannot care for themselves or articulate their needs, so knowing what is best for a baby can be challenging for caregivers. But as parents, we must constantly learn new things about our children, such as how to dress them properly. Cloth levels can be added or removed at any time. Parenting is a stressful world, but it also offers wonderful educational moments that allow you to learn about your sweet babies, bond with them, and pave the way for an enriching journey.
