How many blankets does baby need at night

Babies are not able to regulate their own temperature, and in particular merino wool has been found to be the best option for baby's bedding. Look for light layers so you can easily add additional layers, rather than a heavy single blanket. Choose blankets of a suitable size, so you can securely tuck them into the side of the mattress. Click here for more info on making up your baby's bed safely.

It's also a good idea to choose machine washable bedding! Do not use a swaddling wrap that is lined with fleece when your baby is asleep, as your baby is too small to regulate their own temperature and can easily get too hot inside tight fitting fleece. Once you are no longer swaddling, we recommend using a sleeping bag. This means there is no loose bedding and it is easier to keep your baby at a consistent temperature all night as a sleeping bag can't be kicked off.

Choose a sleeping bag with cotton or merino against your baby's skin. We do not advise using any products either on your baby or in baby's bed that are made from polyester fleece, as they often result in sweating It's also very hard for your baby to regulate their temperature inside synthetic fabrics. We also advise not to use duvets inside your baby's cot until they are over 1 year old.

Duvets are light and easy for baby to pull over their face, not designed to be tucked in or baby can slip down underneath. They are also often made from synthetic material.

Resist the temptation to buy a cute matching duvet and bumper set for your newborn, they are just not a safe option until at least 1 year old! Feeling your baby's chest or ears is the easiest way to see if your baby is the right temperature. Red and sweaty is too hot and if they are cold to the touch then your baby is too cold!

Babies who are too hot are likely to be grizzly and unsettled, they may be sweating and their skin may look a bit mottled. If your baby has become dehydrated from being too hot, their fontanelle will have a 'dent' in it.

Your baby has immature circulation, so try not to worry if her hands or feet are chilly. This is not an accurate indicator of the rest of the body's temperature. Also use your own temperature as a guide. If you are cold and need to put on an extra layer, then your baby is likely to be cold too! We advise only using a heater to take the chill off your baby's room, as babies should not sleep in hot rooms.

Keep in mind that soft bedding is still a no-go even if you plan to place your baby on top of the blanket, rather than under it, since it could still become wrapped around her as she moves in her sleep or gets stuck in the crib corners at night.

Confused by the no-blanket policy since babies are often swaddled in a blanket? A properly wrapped swaddle blanket or a swaddle sleep sack can be used safely from birth until about 2 months of age, as this is when babies often start trying to roll over. The ideal temperature for good sleep is between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit in all seasons. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations.

Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy. The educational health content on What To Expect is reviewed by our medical review board and team of experts to be up-to-date and in line with the latest evidence-based medical information and accepted health guidelines, including the medically reviewed What to Expect books by Heidi Murkoff.

This educational content is not medical or diagnostic advice. Use of this site is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy. Registry Builder New. Medically Reviewed by Lauren Crosby, M. Increased temperature, whether due to head covering or by increasing room temperature depresses arousal responses and reduces autonomic control of heart rate.

Research has shown that babies with symptoms of a common cold are often given more bedding than they need due to care giver concerns that babies showing signs of a cold need to be kept very warm. This can be best achieved by placing them on the back to sleep with the head uncovered and removing some bedding or clothing.

If baby is overly warm to touch, or showing signs of heat stress irritability, looking unwell, floppy, drier skin, refusing to drink or having fewer wet nappies than usual then see your doctor or health professional immediately. The simple answer is — No. Red Nose recommend that rather than state how many bedclothes can be safely placed on a baby, parents can work out the amount of bedding to be used after considering these factors:.

Sleeping baby in a safe baby sleeping bag: one designed especially for baby with fitted neck and armholes and no hood, has a number of features that help baby sleep safely.