The question comes up every night, especially for new parents: is baby too hot, too cold? And what do we put them in tonight? Here's a practical guide by temperature so you never have to wonder again.
The basic rule: one layer more than you
It's the simplest starting point. Babies regulate their temperature poorly, especially before 3 months. As a general rule, dress them in one more layer than an adult sleeping in the same room.
But this rule has its limits: it doesn't account for the sleeping bag, which counts as a full layer in itself. If baby is wearing a TOG 2.5 sleeping bag, they may only need a thin bodysuit underneath.
How to dress baby at night by room temperature
The ideal temperature for a baby's room is between 18 and 20°C. Here's how to adjust the outfit to the thermometer:
Room at 15-16°C (very cold)
Long-sleeved bodysuit + warm pyjamas + TOG 3 to 3.5 sleeping bag. For young infants, a pair of socks under the sleeping bag can help.
Room at 17-18°C (cool)
Long-sleeved bodysuit + cotton or velour pyjamas + TOG 2.5 sleeping bag. This is the most common combination in winter with reasonable heating.
Room at 19-21°C (ideal temperature)
Short-sleeved bodysuit + light pyjamas + TOG 2 sleeping bag. Or long-sleeved bodysuit + TOG 2.5 sleeping bag. Both work, depending on how sensitive your baby is to the cold.
Room at 22-24°C (warm)
Bodysuit alone + TOG 1 sleeping bag. At this temperature, no pyjamas needed on top. A thin cotton bodysuit is enough under a light sleeping bag.
Room at 25°C and above (hot)
Bodysuit alone, or a TOG 0.5 cotton muslin sleeping bag with nothing underneath. At these temperatures, the risk is no longer cold but overheating.
Understanding TOG to choose the right sleeping bag
TOG is the unit that measures how warm a sleeping bag (or sleep sack) is. The higher the number, the warmer it keeps baby.
- TOG 0.5: for rooms at 25°C and above
- TOG 1: for rooms at 22-24°C
- TOG 2 to 2.5: for rooms at 18-21°C, the most versatile
- TOG 3 to 3.5: for rooms at 15-17°C
The sleeping bag replaces the blanket in the cot and removes the risk of it riding up over baby's face during the night. That's why paediatricians recommend it from birth.
How do you know if baby is too hot or too cold at night?
Touch the back of baby's neck, not the hands or feet, which are often cold even when the rest is warm. The skin should feel soft and warm, neither cold nor clammy.
Signs baby is too hot: damp neck, flushed skin, rapid breathing, restlessness. Remove a layer and cool the room down if you can.
Signs baby is too cold: cold skin at the neck, frequent waking, a slightly bluish tinge around the lips. Add a layer.
The best fabrics for baby's sleep
Cotton remains the best fabric for the night: breathable, soft, washable at 40°C. Bamboo is a good alternative for sensitive skin, more temperature-regulating than cotton. Avoid synthetic fabrics, which cause sweating and hold heat poorly.
For the sleeping bag, cotton muslin is perfect in summer. Cotton jersey or velour suit winter.
The essential safety rules for the night
A blanket in a baby's cot is not advised before 12 months, as it can slip over the face during sleep. The sleeping bag is the solution health professionals recommend.
A baby's room shouldn't exceed 20°C. Beyond that, the risk of overheating rises, particularly for infants under 3 months.
A baby who's too warm wakes more often. If your baby was sleeping through and starts waking again for no apparent reason, check the room temperature first before looking for other causes.
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