Simple tips for keeping your baby safe in any temperature
Have you ever gone camping and found yourself woefully unprepared for how cold it gets at night? You shimmy as far as you can into your sleeping bag, try to think warm thoughts and seriously contemplate throwing on your filthy (and slightly smelly) clothes from the hike you went on earlier just for a bit of extra warmth.
Conversely, have you ever tried to sleep on one of those oppressively muggy nights when, despite having every window and door open and strategically placing a fan within spitting distance of the bed, it still feels like you are walking on the surface of the sun wearing a fleece?
If you’ve experienced either or both of these things then you know how hard, if not impossible, it is to fall and stay asleep.
So, it won’t come as a huge surprise to know that temperature plays a big role in how well your baby sleeps (or doesn’t sleep, as the case may be.) The tricky part about babies is that they lack the verbal skills to let us know when they are too hot or cold. Babies are also unable to regulate their own body temperature, so as parents, we tend to spend a lot of time worrying if we’ve over or underdressed them – especially in the beginning.
It may sound a bit overwhelming, but there are a few things you can keep in mind – and on hand – to take the guesswork out of it all.
Understanding TOG ratings
TOG is an acronym for Thermal Overall Grade and it’s a unit that measures the insulation and warmth of bedding and sleepwear. So, basically, if something with a low TOG rating will consist of lighter fabric something with a higher TOG rating will be exponentially cosier.
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Dress for success
The general rule for dressing your baby is to add one layer for them to that of what you are wearing yourself. Ideally, you want your baby’s body temperature to be between 20 and 22.2 degrees celsius – when in doubt you can always use a thermometer to check you’ve got it right until it just becomes second nature.
When dressing your baby for the night, it’s important to take into account sudden drops in temperature and compensate accordingly. So, for example, on a chilly winter’s night, you might opt for a long-sleeved bodysuit under their onesie.
If you’re using a sleeping bag or swaddle, be sure to select the thickness that is appropriate for the temperature of the room.
Night moves
Baby sleep can be a bit like TikTok dance crazes – just when you think you’ve mastered one, a different one blazes in and makes the first one irrelevant!
If your baby is waking up in the night and it’s not due to hunger or sickness, it could be because they are too hot or cold. The coldest part of the night is between 3am and 5am so if your little one is waking frequently at this time, cold temps could be the culprit.
Using a smart device like the Glow Dreaming Glow Perfect Sleep Sensor can be a total game-changer (and kind of make you feel more powerful than the Bureau of Meteorology!). Using smart sensor technology, the Glow Perfect Sleep Sensor allows you to monitor the temperature in your child’s room to ensure it is always optimised for comfort and sounder sleep. The sensor will let you know what TOG is best based on the conditions of the room, not the outside temperature, so you can dress your baby accordingly without performing arithmetic acrobatics. Even better, the sensor alerts you if the room temperature creeps out of the ideal zone so you can make the necessary adjustments to ensure your little one stays comfortable throughout the night.
Winter is coming!
It’s not just a famous line from a famous show, it’s also true! The dreaded colder nights are fast approaching, and it can send parents into a bit of a frenzy worrying that their little one isn’t warm enough. This concern can sometimes lead to us overdressing our bubs which then poses the risk of them overheating.
The Glow Dreaming Glow Perfect Sleep Sensor is a great item to add to your winter checklist because it will help to ensure your baby is always sleeping in optimal conditions and in the right TOG sleepwear.
It’s getting hot in here
Just as it’s important to keep your child cosy in the colder months, it’s equally important to keep them cool when the mercury starts to rise. Australia is world famous for its long, hot summers – but it can be a little stressful trying to make sure our tiny humans stay comfortable and safe.
Some advice to follow to keep children safe in the heat:
- Dress them in light clothing made from natural materials.
- Give them plenty to drink – offer extra breastfeeds or formula if they are under 6 months. Children over 6 months can also be offered boiled, cooled water to drink.
- Allow airflow through prams.
- Keep to the shade where possible.
- Provide cool baths before bedtime
- Check on your baby’s body temperature by placing your hand on their chest or back – not via their hands and feet as typically, their extremities will be cooler than their body.
During those hot summer days, keeping your baby’s room at a safe temperature is crucial, so a device like the Glow Perfect Sleep Sensor is a great item to have in your parenting arsenal to give you complete peace of mind.
The takeaway
While trying to figure out how to keep your baby safe and comfortable in different temperatures can be daunting at first, it will become second nature. With the right resources and a few handy gadgets, making sure your baby is always warm or cool enough can, absolutely, be a breeze…pun intended.
This is a paid partnership between Kiindred and Glow Dreaming.
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