5 Tips For Keeping Your Baby Warm On Cold Nights
One of the most common challenges faced by all mothers is to keep their little ones warm and safe during the cold days and nights. According to Stanford Children’s Health, babies are not as adaptable as adults to temperature change and can lose heat rapidly, as much as four times more
Thermoregulation is a process that allows your baby to maintain ideal internal temperature. Premature and low-birthweight babies usually have little body fat and may be too immature to regulate their own temperature. Even full-term and healthy newborns may not be able to maintain their body temperature if the environment is too cold.
As the winter season approaches, temperature regulation becomes difficult, which makes babies more vulnerable to cough, cold and flu. When they are cold-stressed, they use energy and oxygen to generate warmth. By keeping babies at optimal temperatures, neither too hot or too cold, they can conserve energy and build up reserves.
It’s very important to be knowledgeable about how you can help your baby maintain a consistent body temperature during the holidays and wintertime, especially at night. Use these tips to keep your baby cozy and safe.
- Dress Baby for the Weather. In the winter, What to Expect recommends dressing your little one in layers that are easy to remove. Adding or eliminating layers is the best way to warm baby up or cool them down. Babies may need an extra layer or two when it’s cold outside; just make sure you’re quick to remove extra layers when you come back in so that baby doesn’t overheat.
- Use a Firm Mattress. To keep your baby’s crib warm from underside, use a firm crib mattress covered with a high-quality, fitted and waterproof mattress cover. Soft mattresses can increase the chance of suffocation and put your little one at risk. Babies should always sleep on their backs to reduce the risk of SIDS.
- Use a Sleep Sack Instead of a Blanket. Soft bedding and loose blankets have been responsible for the suffocation of many babies. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), using a sleep sack keeps the baby warm while sleeping without having the risk of loose blankets that might smother baby. Overheating has been implicated in SIDS, as well. A sleep sack keeps babies warm without overheating them.
- Set the Room Temperature Right. To make sure your baby doesn’t feel too hot or too cold, What to Expect recommends keeping their room at a comfortable temperature between 68° and 72°F (20° to 22.2°C). Use a room thermometer to check whether or not your baby’s room stays at a safe, comfortable temperature. Ideally, the room temperature should feel cozy to a lightly clothed adult.
- Preheat the Crib Before Putting Baby Down. If there is too much cold in your house, BabyCenter.com says to consider preheating the crib to create a warm sleeping space for your baby. To do this, place a hot water bottle or heating pad over the crib sheet for 30 minutes before you put your little one to sleep in the crib. Most importantly, remove it before laying your baby down to avoid any overheating or burns.
The Colgate Mattress zenBaby® Hybrid 2-in-1 is an infant-to-toddler transition crib mattress that features KulKote®, a groundbreaking water-based temperature-regulating technology that creates a tranquil and safe environment for baby. In keeping safety first, our crib mattresses are engineered to provide the ideal firmness to promote the most peaceful rest possible.
As parents, we will do anything to protect and bring comfort to our new bundle of joy. That’s why Colgate Mattress created DREAM SAFE. Through practical tips and expert advice, our goal is to educate and encourage caregivers to adopt lifesaving safe sleep practices. Together, we can ensure both you and baby enjoy sweet dreams.
Remember! The coldest time of day is usually overnight from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., so plan accordingly.