If you have a new baby in the house, you’ve probably been bombarded by relatives, well-meaning friends, books, televisions, shows, and the latest hot celebrity on what is best for your child. Let’s face it, the amount of unsolicited advice out there is overwhelming, which is why you need to just do your own research.
If you have been wondering which room temperature is the best for your child to sleep in, look no further. We’ve broken down the basics for you to explore and make the decisions you feel is best for your baby.
How to Determine the Ideal Room Temperature for a Baby
The reason this topic is so important is the link discovered between more incidences of SIDS in overheated babies. Babies regulate their temperatures well, and you want to provide them an ideally neutral and comfortable room to sleep in so you can avoid over bundling them against the cold, or creating too cool a situations.
Although no studies specific to age are related to sleep temperature, studies have shown rooms between 68 °F and 72 °F degrees are ideal for promoting a deeper, more restful sleep. This is a good starting point and allows you to then better address the comfort of your child as well. The use of a fan, heater, and clothing are all variables that can help regulate temperature and help create a more comfortable sleep environment.
Keeping a Room Temperature Consistent
Keeping an eye on the thermostat is the best way to regulate a room’s temperature. If you do not have a room thermostat, you can easily purchase an affordable room thermometer to discern any slight variables that may be inconsistent with a home thermostat system.
Windows, doors, and west or south facing walls can help warm up, or cool down a room. Also consider the placement of ducts and air vents in reference to where your baby sleeps as well. These can all change the ambient temperature, although often the difference is rarely that noticeable unless a strong draft or direct radiant heat from a window is present.
To combat anything you feel may be an issue, keep the baby’s bed away from blowing vents or drafty windows, and consider blackout curtains to help defend direct heat. They also come in handy to keep a room dark when the baby is sleeping.
What Pajamas Your Baby Should Sleep In
Although the most adorable PJs exist for babies, because they are so adept at regulating their own body temperature, you want to allow them the ability to do so. Dress you baby as you would dress for the temperature of the room. If you would wear shorts and a tshirt, consider dressing them in similar light, cool, cotton clothing; similarly if you would cover up a bit more. Just always remember to avoid thick, heavy pajamas that can trap body heat and create an uncomfortable sleep experience.
Check our Best Baby Pyjamas for Your Little One, here.
Checking Baby’s Comfort
It isn’t difficult to check on your baby’s comfort after laying them down to sleep, just remember to avoid checking the feel of the hands and feet as an indicator of temperature. Instead, us the back of your hand against their forehead or stomach to gauge if they feel a little too warm if you have a concern. Flushed skin, sweaty or damp skin, or increased respirations can indicate they are uncomfortable and too warm. If this is the case, simply remove a layer of clothing, or dress them in something lighter or more breathable.
Also keep in mind all bedding should be removed from a crib. Once your baby reaches a year old, they are old enough to move and lift their bodies which is enough to keep them from being tangled in blankets. Until then, avoid pillows, blankets, and stuffed animals. These only can contribute to problematic and dangerous situations, they can also make your child uncomfortably hot.
Other Considerations
The use of a fan on a low setting is a great way to help air circulate also. Rather than use it for cooling, it provides a means to keep fresh oxygen moving about the room and can help avoid stuffy situations.
Also consider sharing a room with your infant for the first 6 months. This allows you to be in tune with them and hear if they are fussing. Overall, this provides the opportunity for you to get better sleep knowing it will be easier to hear your child when they need you.
Conclusion
If you are a first time parent, then all this may seem a bit overwhelming, but don’t fret. Just keep in mind what makes you comfortable and apply that to your own child. They very easily regulate their own body and will be comfortable in a neutral sleep temperature environment.
Photo credit: Lopolo/Shutterstock; Lopolo/Shutterstock;
Olivier Le Moal/Shutterstock; united photo studio/Shutterstock;
ruji555/Shutterstock; New Africa/Shutterstock