Safer Sleep in Summer: How to Dress a Baby on a Summer’s Night
|
|
Time to read 7 min
|
|
Time to read 7 min
Summer is finally here! Although longer nights might sound great for many, parents can often spend these extra moments wondering how they should dress their little ones so that they are comfortably cool whilst it is hot outside during the summer nights. Thankfully, there’s no need to get all hot and bothered as this blog will provide a brief overview of the nighttime clothing you may choose to help keep your little one cool this summer.
It is important children are properly dressed in all seasons throughout the day, but this blog will focus on how to dress a baby on a warm summer’s night.
How to Dress a Baby on a Summer’s Night
Several risks are elevated if a child is inappropriately dressed at any time of the year. In the summer it is more likely that a child may overheat which, if not promptly addressed, can cause multiple health concerns such as heat rash, heat exhaustion, dehydration and Sudden Infant Death (SIDs).
Although comparatively rare, 182 babies died from SIDs in 2021. We do not know exactly what causes SIDs, but we know that following safer sleep advice reduces the chances of it happening. Making sure your little one is at a comfortable temperature during all times of the year is significantly important in reducing the chance of SIDs.
Babies cannot regulate their body temperature as effectively as adults! A baby's body temperature should be around 36.4C. However, this temperature can change depending on the time of day, the clothing they are wearing and, how their temperature is collected. A reading of or above 38C is considered a fever. This is a cause for concern especially in babies under 3 months old.
Babies can struggle to regulate their temperature as they have less fatty tissue in their bodies. Their surface area to body weight ratio is higher than adults which in turn means they absorb heat quicker. As well as this, a baby’s sweat glands have not yet fully developed. This means they cannot cool down through natural responses, such as sweating. In general, a baby’s central nervous system is immature. Premature and unwell babies are particularly prone to unstable temperatures.
As your little one is unable to effectively regulate their body temperature, overheating can occur. Signs that your child might be too hot include:
It is also important to know the signs that your little one may be too cold. These signs include:
It is important to note that if your little one’s arms, hands or feet feel cool, this is normal! This helps your little one to regulate their body temperature. If this is the case, it may not be necessary to add an extra layer of clothing.
Throughout the year, it is recommended that your little one’s sleeping environment be maintained at 16 to 20 degrees. If you do not find the room temperature comfortable, then your little one is probably thinking the same thing!
It is important to have a thermometer in your little one’s room. This will allow you to make sure that the temperature continues to stay comfortable for them. Some baby monitors will have the room temperature on their display. This can be particularly helpful in allowing you to monitor all aspects of your little one’s sleep in one place.
If you are looking for a baby monitor that will give you extra peace of mind whilst your little one is sleeping, The Owlet Cam® 2 Baby Monitor allows you to monitor what matters most to you. The monitor streams 1080p HD videos and has high-quality night vision, two-way talk audio, a 130-degree wide-angle view, and 4x digital zoom. Real-time room temperature and humidity updates mean you know your little one is comfortable in a cool environment.
It can be difficult to naturally maintain a sleeping environment for your little one between 16 to 20 degrees, especially during the warmer months of the year. A fan or air conditioning can be used to help maintain a cooler environment whilst they snooze.
However, it is important that the fan or air conditioning is not directly facing the child as this can cause dry skin and dehydration. In addition to this, your little one may become too cold if the cooling system is placed directly in front of them. Oscillating fans can help circulate cool air around the room.
If you do not have access to a fan, there are other ways that you can try to maintain a cooler sleeping environment for your baby. Make sure to not place your baby in direct sunlight and close the curtains or blinds to keep out heat. In addition to this, dress your little one in fewer layers.
If you do not have access to a fan or air conditioning in your home, it can be helpful to visit a public place such as a library as these places generally will have access to one (and it’s a peaceful place for you and your little one). Make sure to never leave your baby unattended in the car.
When the summer sun brings warmer weather to us, choosing the right fabrics is important in helping us and our little ones to remain cool during the day and night. Linen and cotton are popular choices when choosing the right summer wardrobe. Both cotton and linen are soft and gentle on your baby’s skin. They are also breathable which means they can prevent overheating. Furthermore, both fabrics are naturally hypoallergenic which is great for babies with certain conditions such as eczema.
Love To Dream has an excellent range of nightwear to suit your baby’s needs throughout the year. The Love To Dream Swaddle Up™ Cotton All Seasons is a great addition to any newborn wardrobe. Cotton can trap heat on a winter’s night and is also breathable in the summer meaning this garment can be used throughout the year. The patented ARMS UP™ design is based on research into babies’ sleep and development in the womb. This position allows babies to self-soothe by sucking their hands and touching their face which in turn can lead to better sleep for both you and your little one. This fabric is ideal for mild temperatures (18 to 24 degrees).
For moderate temperatures (20 to 24 degrees) the Love To Dream Swaddle Up™ Bamboo Original is great at helping to keep your baby cool. Created from a single-layer construction of moisture-wicking viscose (from bamboo) fabric and elastane, the garment is composed of a durable blend of viscose and elastane making it extra soft, comfy and smooth to the touch. The Bamboo material is a natural temperature regulator as little gaps in the bamboo-based fibres provide ventilation, helping keep babies dry and cool.
No wardrobe would be complete without the Love To Dream Swaddle Up™ Cotton Original. By combining the benefits of traditional swaddles and baby wraps with the ease and safety of a sleepsuit, bedtime becomes easier for you and your baby. For use in moderate temperatures (20 to 24 degrees), the single layer of Love To Dreams' Original jersey knit fabric reduces the risk of overheating. The original jersey material wears well and retains shape throughout machine washing and tumble drying.
During the warmest weather, it is important to keep nightwear and bedclothes to a minimum. If it is particularly hot, a vest or nappy will suffice. If your little one kicks or pushes the covers off during the night, a nappy and a flat, firm, waterproof mattress is the perfect combination in keeping them cool on the hottest of nights.
No matter the time of year, safer sleep is crucial in preventing the risk of SIDs. Here is a list of top tips that can help your little one sleep safer:
The Lullaby Trust has created an acronym to help parents and carers remember their safer sleep guidance. It is as simple as your ABCs! They remind parents to ‘Always sleep your baby on their back in a clear cot or sleep space.’
It is important that safer sleep guidelines are followed throughout the year. In the summer, the risk of overheating is increased and therefore we must take precautions to make sure that both we and our little ones remain safe whilst the sun is out. Remember your sun screen, sunglasses, and safer sleep!