When you bring your new-born back from the hospital the onus of making your baby comfortable is on you. If you had a winter baby, you’d have kept her snuggled through the winter months. But now that the sun is harsh, you might be wondering how to dress your baby for sleep in summers.
Well, it depends a lot on the place you live in, and how the weather behaves during the summer months. Also, whether you have air-conditioning or not and what your baby likes. In India, especially during summers, the climate is quite uncomfortable. It can suddenly get too hot, leaving you to think about your baby’s summer wear during sleep.
Yet, there is no one single way to dress baby for sleep in summer. However, the below tips can help you decide on what will suit you and your baby the best, given the factors discussed above.
11 Tips To Dress Baby For Sleep In Summers
Unlike adults, babies don’t have the ability to regulate their temperature. During summers, there are higher chances of your baby’s body to get overheated and hence it is important to keep your baby cool during summers. Here are 11 tips on how to dress baby for sleep in summer along with some sleeping must haves for baby.
1. Check for overheating
The first step on deciding how to dress your baby for sleep in summer is to check your baby’s body temperature. Parents often mistake the temperature of the hands and feet to be the baby’s body temperature, which is not the case. Check the back of the neck or the tummy to know your baby’s actual temperature.
If the area is hot and sticky, then dress your baby in light and short sleeve clothes. If your baby is cold, add an extra layer of clothing.
2. Trial and error
All babies aren’t the same and it is difficult to gauge which fabric comforts them the most. Try dressing your baby with different materials each day for 3-4 days. If your baby feels cranky and fussy in that material, it is not the right option for your baby to wear during summer.
Keep a close watch on how your baby behaves when dressed for sleep in summer. By checking for yourself, you will be able to understand your baby’s dressing needs better.
3. Use breathable fabrics
Babies aren’t able to regulate their own body temperature. Hence, the material of the fabric in which you are dressing the baby is important. Even if you are layering, as most of us do because babies tend to be colder than us, choose the fabrics wisely.
To dress baby for sleep in summer, use light fabrics such as cotton, linen, hemp, etc. Avoid synthetic fabrics as they don’t allow the sweat to evaporate from your baby’s body, which can make your baby more uncomfortable.
If you are still swaddling your baby, use lightweight swaddle blankets made of cotton for maximum comfort.
4. Do not overdress the baby
For me, I tend to feel colder even during light summer months. If I were to dress my baby for summer nights, she would be overheated for sure. Many times, overdressing the baby can cause overheating of your baby’s body.
This overheating usually happens due to dressing the baby with extra clothing layers or including accessories like socks, hats, etc. While your baby may look adorable is those cute little accessories, it may make them feel uncomfortable, especially in humid conditions. If its summer in your place of residence, try not bundling up the layers. Overheating can pose some serious health problems, including SIDS.
Related Reading: 8 Indian Home Remedies For Baby Sleep
5. Opt for summer night suits
Babies’ bodies gets cool during the night, even in summers. Hence, it is important that your baby is covered properly during night. Summer night suits come in light and comfortable fabrics which help your baby sleep peacefully. Two-piece night suits ensure that your baby’s hands and legs are covered, giving them the extra layer of protection that they need at night.
However, they might not need a blanket like we adults do. Watch for the cues and you will figure out your baby’s preferences soon.
6. Short sleeve onesie
Summers in India can be unbearable, especially if you don’t have air conditioners. While adults are able to regulate their body temperature by hydrating themselves, babies can’t. This is where short sleeve onsies come to the rescue.
Onsies prove as great light sleepwear by ensuring that your baby remains cool during those hot nights. You can choose the short sleeves onesies so that your baby stays comfortable through the vest.
7. Sleeveless vests
Sometimes, if the baby is up at night due to the hot weather, a sleeveless vest on the top with the nappy at the bottom should suffice. Vests are comfortable to sleep in during summers and prevent your baby from ending up in a bath of sweat. If you have the fan on, make sure it is not blowing air directly on the baby. It’s always better to add a light blanket as an extra layer of protection for your baby.
8. Switch to cloth diapers
It is better to change your baby into cloth diapers at night if it’s too hot. Disposable diapers are made of synthetic fabrics and cause itchiness and rashes, especially during summer. Sweat easily collects on the waistband of the diaper which causes more discomfort for your baby.
Related Reading: Cloth Diapers Vs Disposable Diapers 8 Reasons To Choose Former
9. Remove unnecessary bedding
It is advisable not to fill your baby’s cradle or crib with toys or pillows. Pillows shouldn’t be used for babies under the age of 1. Having unnecessary toys and bedding on your baby’s bed can cause overheating of your baby’s body. Also, it is important to have tight sheets as loose sheets can cause irritation while the baby is asleep. Plus, there is always a risk of something getting on your baby’s face when they are sleeping.
While using waterproof sheets, make sure to layer them with a light linen cloth as the material of the waterproof sheets can cause rashes on the baby’s skin. Use light blanket and dohars at night. Your baby will sleep longer if covered with light fabrics.
10. Footed pyjamas
Footed pyjamas, also known as footsies, are full body pyjamas. These are one-piece nightwear suits that have padding on the baby’s foot as well. Though footed pyjamas may sound like a wintertime nightwear outfit, they also come in light fabrics which make them an ideal summer wear for Indian summers.
If your baby is asleep during air-conditioning, it is important that your baby’s entire body is covered, especially the chest cavity area. Footed pyjamas take care of this by giving your baby all-round protection.
11. Dress baby for sleep in summers in full sleeves
Dressing you baby in full sleeves obviously helps in keeping your baby snugger. However, in cases where it’s too hot or if there’s no air conditioner, it is advisable not to dress your baby in full sleeves. Full sleeves in warm climates can lead to overheating of the body, which can also make your baby feel uncomfortable.
If your baby is sleeping in air-conditioning, full sleeves will help in keeping your baby cosy at night.
Related Reading: 15 Must Have Nursery Essentials
What room temperature should baby sleep in summers?
Here are a few tips-
- When it comes to the baby’s room, parents are very careful. A room that is too hot can cause overheating, while a room too cool may result in your baby catching a cold. When babies are inside their mother’s womb, their temperature is 37.7 degree Celsius. Your baby’s temperature outside the womb should range from 36-37 degree Celsius, which results to 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit.
- When putting your baby for daytime nap during summers, keep the sun out of the room using sunlight blocking window curtains. Summers is largely an outdoor time, but nap times should not be skipped. Insist for naps even if your child fights them.
- A sudden change in the weather can be harmful for the baby if not regulated in time. The ideal temperature for a baby’s room during summer should range between 20-24 degree Celsius during the summer.
- In cases of rooms with air conditioning, it is better to set your air conditioning to a mode that avoids direct blast of cold air to blow on your baby. Your baby could catch a cold from the blast. Hence, covering your baby with a light blanket or swaddle is recommended.
- On days that are not too hot, it is better to use a fan instead of an air-conditioner. Fans help in regulating the temperature of the room and can help in creating an ideal room temperature for your baby.
However, during the initial months, it is better for the parents to sleep in the same room as their baby. This will help you regulate the room’s temperature as and when your baby feels discomfort and will also give them a sense of security. As sleep is extremely important for your baby’s growth cycle, knowing how to dress baby for sleep in summer is very essential to ensure that your baby doesn’t have sleepless nights. Now that you know the sleeping must haves for baby during summer, you can find comfort in seeing your baby sleep peacefully at night.