How To Keep Baby Warm At Night?

Making sure your little one sleeps comfortably at night is a top priority for parents. As temperatures drop at night, it's vital to keep your baby warm and cozy without overheating. From swaddling techniques to choosing the right sleep sacks, there are a variety of strategies to keep your baby warm throughout the night. Let's explore some practical tips to keep your baby cozy and safe during sleep.

• Signs baby is cold at night
• How to keep the baby warm at night?
• How to keep your baby warm in winter?
• How to keep baby warm in crib?
• Conclusion

Signs baby is cold at night

Some babies will feel cold at night, how can parents know that their babies are cold? Below are some signs:

Shivering: 

If you notice your baby shivering at night, it could be a sign that they are feeling cold. Shivering is the body's natural response to cold temperatures, which tries to generate heat through muscle contractions. Different from adults, babies have a limited ability to regulate their body temperature, so they shiver, which means they may need more clothing or warmth.

Cool skin: 

If your baby's skin feels cool when you touch it, it may indicate that their body temperature is dropping. Babies lose heat more quickly than adults, especially hands and feet. If your baby touches cool, he/she may need to wear more clothes or a warmer sleeping environment to maintain a comfortable and safe body temperature.

Irritability: 

Babies who feel cold may become fussy or irritable at night. This is because the cold can make babies feel uncomfortable and disrupt their sleep. They may squirm, cry, or have trouble falling asleep. Paying attention to your baby's behavior can help you identify whether they need extra warmth.

Poor feeding or weight gain: 

Cold temperatures can affect your baby's appetite and may lead to slow weight gain. When babies are cold, they may have difficulty holding onto breastmilk or bottles, leading to underfeeding. In addition, babies need to burn their calories under cold temperatures. Expending energy to keep warm can also affect weight gain and growth. Monitoring your baby's feeding patterns and weight gain can help determine if cold temperatures are affecting their nutritional intake and growth.

Pale or bluish skin: 

In cold conditions, your baby's skin may appear pale or bluish, especially on the hands, feet, or lips. This discoloration is caused by a decrease in blood flow to the surface of the skin. Pale or bluish skin may indicate that your baby is feeling cold and may need additional clothing or warmth to increase circulation and maintain a healthy body temperature.

Check Kaiya Baby temperature reminder:

For convenience, parents who have Kaiya Baby's newly launched sleep sacks can check their babies’ body temperature via the temperature reminder on the sleep sacks directly.

How to keep the baby warm at night?

I recommend some tips about how to keep your baby warm at night:

Dress your baby in layers: 

Dressing in multiple layers is an effective way to keep your baby warm at night. Start your baby with a light, breathable base layer made of breathable other natural fabric to wick moisture away from the skin. A slightly heavier layer of material, such as organic cotton, is added in the middle to provide insulation. You can use a wearable blanket or sleep sack, which will keep you warm without a loose blanket covering your baby's face.

Choose a warm sleep environment: 

Creating a cozy sleep environment helps regulate your baby's body temperature throughout the night. Keep the room temperature between 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit (20-22 degrees Celsius) for comfort. At the same time, using blackout curtains also can keep warmth. Avoid placing the crib or your baby’s bed near doors and windows where cold air can seep in.

Swaddle your baby: 

Swaddling makes newborns feel secure and prevents them from losing body heat during sleep. Use a lightweight, breathable swaddle to wrap your baby tightly, making sure their arms are securely wrapped but leaving room for their hips to move freely. Swaddling should be snug, but not too tight, and always follow safe sleep guidelines to minimize the risk of overheating or suffocation.

Safe sleep guidelines source:

https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/safe-sleep/

Use a fitted crib mattress: 

A firm, form-fitting crib mattress provides proper support and insulation to help maintain your baby's body temperature. Avoid soft or plush mattresses as they absorb heat and increase the risk of your baby overheating. Also, use sheets made of breathable fabrics such as cotton to promote air circulation and keep your baby comfortable throughout the night.

How to keep your baby warm in winter?

Dress in multiple layers:

To keep your baby warm in the winter, it's important to dress them in multiple layers using breathable fabrics like cotton or wool when going out. This helps to trap heat near the body while making it easier to regulate the temperature. 

Wear your baby a hat:

Covering your baby's head with a cozy hat is vital, as they can lose a lot of heat through their head. 

Use sleep sacks:

Additionally, using a blanket or sleeping bag made from a lightweight, breathable material can provide extra warmth without overheating your baby. 

Create a warm sleeping environment:

Maintaining a warm sleeping environment with room temperatures between 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit (20-22 degrees Celsius) and using blackout curtains to block drafts will also help ensure that your baby stays comfortable during the colder months.

How to keep baby warm in crib?

Avoid setting the crib near doors and windows:

Keep the crib away from doors and windows where cold air can come in.

Choose appropriate bedding: 

Use lightweight, breathable bedding that will keep you warm without overheating. Avoid heavy blankets or quilts as they can cover the baby's face and impede breathing. Use fitted sheets and avoid loose bedding that can cause a choking hazard.

Conclusion

In short, making sure your baby stays warm at night is vital to their comfort and health. By dressing your baby in breathable clothing, using appropriate bedding, and maintaining a comfortable room temperature, parents can create a cozy sleep environment that promotes restful sleep. It is important to monitor your baby's temperature regularly and adjust clothing or bedding as needed to keep them comfortable throughout the night. With these simple but effective strategies, parents can help their little ones stay comfortable and safely asleep.