It's kind of the unspoken rule about moms — they all constantly worry about their kids being cold. I always thought I would be more laid back about this, but one touch of my daughter's cold feet in the morning and I'm scrambling for her to put on some socks. In her bedroom, I constantly worried she's kicked off her blankets and is freezing, but I also panic about her being over heated and uncomfortable. With cooler months on the way, it's easy to wonder what temperature should your baby's room be in winter. Do you have to make some changes to your thermostat or will an extra blanket and some footed pajamas do the job?
Depending on your baby's age, you may want to hold off on introducing a blanket. According to the National Sleep Foundation, soft, loose bedding, like blankets, can increase the risk of SIDS. Popular options for parents include dressing your little one in warm pajamas or using a sleep sack or swaddle to keep them warm.
But, you can also keep the temperature in your baby's room at a comfortable level. Parents noted that the room should be warm enough for an adult in light clothing. For you, that might mean turning your thermostat up a little higher than usual, but you'll be able to keep your baby warm and comfortable throughout the night without using any loose blankets or a potentially dangerous item like a space heater.
If it's still feeling like your baby would get cold, consider the layers they are wearing to bed. According to The Baby Sleep Site, overheating your baby can be very dangerous as it also increases the risk of SIDS. The website noted that anywhere from 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit has been suggested, but the temperature will vary from family to family. If you're worried about it getting stuffy in your child's room, turn on a fan. The Baby Sleep Site noted that a fan can reduce the risk of SIDS by 72 percent.
Play with the temperature and your baby's clothing to find the perfect solution. If your child is swaddled or in a sleep sack, they probably don't need to wear fleece pajamas, too. A onesie or light cotton pants in a sleep sack is probably fine or just go for the fleece pajamas if your baby won't have any other layer. Remember, the room just needs to be warm enough for an adult dressed in light clothing, so don't feel like you have to jack up the thermostat just to keep your baby nice and toasty. Parents noted that everyone seems to sleep better when it's a little cooler, so I would lean more toward keeping it a degree or two lower than what you originally thought to make sure your baby's not overheated.
