Once you bring your little one home, there are various factors to consider ensuring you deliver the best quality of life. Most of these often lie on the health side of your baby. You ought to ensure your baby feeds well, has a favorable environment to sleep and keeps clean all through. In our topic, let’s discuss the most favorable temperature for your baby’s sleep.
Temperature among other factors plays an essential part in the health of the baby. As much as the weather and age of your baby matter, there should be a limit to what is desirable or dangerous for your baby. Overheating increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in babies that are one month to one year of age. A lot of other factors come to play a part, but all contribute to the comfort of your baby during sleep.
Also Read: Baby Sleep Guide – Basics, Safe Sleep Guidelines and Troubleshooting
How To Check if Your Baby Is Exposed To Overheating?
Regardless of the season, there are general signs that your baby is overheated. One, they may feel extra warm to the touch. The arms, feet and around the neck feels warmer than usual. Sometimes, this might indicate fever when the baby is developing an infection. Again, the baby does not feel hot, but a little warmer.
Your baby’s skin tends to turn red especially on the cheeks, neck, and joints. However, the extent of redness may vary from one child to another, and it may not necessarily indicate your baby is overheated. Sometimes, it could be a reaction to physical activity and scorching weather. On stable temperature conditions, however, the redness should not be so extensive.
The heart of your baby may tend to beat faster if they are overheated. As much as this could be a sign of illness, it is a significant sign to look out for if you think your baby is exposed to extra heat. When you experience this, you should immediately ease off the layers and cool your baby.
When a baby has been overheated for some hours, they may become lethargic, unresponsive and may even start to vomit. Such a situation calls for emergency measures to cool off the baby. Also, the baby may seem dizzy or confused even after hours of sleep.
Use a room thermometer: Since it can be difficult to guess the temperature in your baby’s room, use a room thermometer in conjunction with a cooling fan in the room where your newborn sleeps.
What Is The Safest Room Temperature For Your Baby?
Now that SIDS in infants is linked to overheating, you ought to establish the most suitable environment for comfortable sleep time. Room temperature between 60.8-68°F (16-20°C ) is what most experts recommend. However, this may need you to use light bedding or a well-fitting sleeping bag for a restful sleep. Again, the most suitable temperature may vary depending on the status of your child and the season.
It is advisable to dress your baby in one layer more than what you are wearing. That means if you are feeling extra hot in light clothing, your baby is probably feeling the same in the usual outfits.
Our friends at Mom Loves Best.com have put together an awesome infographic on the importance of baby sleep safety.
What Measures Should You Put In Place?
It is difficult to ensure the temperature remains stable throughout the day or night. You ought to monitor using a thermometer, so you know when you need to cool your baby. A room thermometer records the temperature as it fluctuates and will show any minimal change in the readings. It is a great way to keep tab of the conditions to ensure you do not again expose your baby to cold conditions while trying to stop overheating.
During warm weather, it can be tough to keep the ideal temperature for your baby’s room. If the area tends to be difficult to cool, consider applying some measures to stabilize the conditions. Ensure your baby is in light clothing and the baby bedding is light and few in layers. Also, you could open the door or window if you feel it is safe for your baby.
What about the cold weather? Do you have to keep the heater on all night? As much as the winter can be freezing for your baby, it is not necessary to keep your heater on all night as the baby sleeps. Usually, an extra layer will work just as fine with warm clothes for your baby. But, remember to keep your baby off hats because the head is essential in maintaining body temperature by releasing heat.
Ensure your baby’s crib is as empty as it can be. Use a fitted crib sheet for the bottom and use a light-weight blanket to cover your baby. The blanket should be tucked on the bottom side and should not extend more than the baby’s chest. Also, avoid stuffing the crib with comforters, dolls and other play items to keep the conditions right for a comfortable nap. Using a cooling mattress pad for the crib may be another wise investment.
Consider sharing a room together with your baby. In the first year of life or at least the first six months, it is advisable to keep your baby close as they sleep. It will make it easier for you to monitor not only the temperature but other factors as well.
How Do You Dress Your Baby To Suit The Weather?
As mentioned, the number of clothes your baby is in determines if they stay hot or cold as they sleep. The weather dictates the number of layers to dress your baby. But, there is a possibility of overheating even when the weather is cold. The idea is to monitor your baby all through to be sure they are not too warm or cold.
When they feel warmer than usual, removing one layer will do. Equally, if there is a drastic change in weather and you think your baby could be exposed to cold, then one additional layer can help. When doing this, be sure to avoid covering the baby’s head, and face as that may contribute to overheating even when it is cold.
Some factors determine the most appropriate temperature for your baby’s room. Your baby’s health condition, the clothes, and the general weather patterns play a part in maintaining the optimum temperature for your baby’s sleep. On this note, it is therefore essential to monitor these factors by implementing control measures at all times. Most importantly, you should act on time if there is a drastic change in temperature conditions of your baby’s room.