Snuggly Sleep During the Cooler Months

Ahhh sleep….it can be a tricky topic. Just when you think you have your bub in a good sleep routine, something comes along to present a new challenge. As we head into winter, we thought this was a great time to chat to our friend, Tara Mitchell from The Gentle Sleep Specialist, about all things for bub’s sleep in the cooler months. Read on for some top tips to keep in mind as we head into winter.

Brr it’s cold outside!

The cold weather is about to set in, so let’s get in on the front foot when it comes to making sure our little ones sleep well! One of the most common things people ask is, "how can I dress my baby warm enough for the second half of the night when it’s a tad warmer at the beginning of the night time?".

Firstly, I tend to remind people that you and your little one may be warmer post the bedtime routine (bath, getting them dressed, cuddles, play time etc). But it doesn’t take long for your babes to cool down. Not only will the external temperature drop, but their body temperature will also naturally drop when they fall asleep. Because of this, I'm more inclined (especially in the colder months) to dress them more to suit the temperatures during the second half of the night.

You can also cool their room a tad and turn that off when you head to bed around 9pm or 10pm, for example. You do not need to make bub's room hot or cold. I prefer to keep a little ones room at a neutral temp. Think of any heating you use as just taking the chill off the room. This will also prevent major temperature fluctuations through the night.

Often the guides you come across on how to dress your little one for sleep aren’t quite as helpful as we'd like them to be! Some guides may be spot on for your little one, but if you have a feeling your bub is still not warm enough, remember these guides often err on the side of caution/cooler dressing. Use your own common sense and judgment and don’t be afraid to follow that. If we (with our flannelettes and thick duvets, and often next to someone else’s body heat), still use a heater then there is a good chance a 2.5 tog and a singlet under a onesie may not be enough! In this case, adjusting the room temp or adding an extra layer may be beneficial.

What they wear matters, organic cotton, bamboo and wool tend to be far more breathable than other materials. Synthetic fleeces may feel snug but they aren’t breathable and can increase the risk of babies overheating.

Be mindful that some heating systems can be drying and quite powerful. I personally am a sucker for an oil heater, as are many of the parents I work with. We also want to keep in mind that beanies and hoodies aren’t safe for sleep. Your little one's head plays a large role in releasing heat to help regulate their temperature, which is very important for sleep safety.

Lastly, don’t forget that the same drop in temperature will occur during sleep during the day, so be sure to get your bub warm enough for day naps also. It may not be a rainy day but the temperature may still be quite low. I always recommend a sleeping bag or swaddle depending on the age of bub for day naps too.

Sweet dreams!

Hopefully these tips help you to get ready for the cold nights ahead. You can shop our range of organic cotton Growsuits and Bodysuits to keep your bub cosy and snuggly in these cooler months.