Do Babies Sleep Better in Cold or Warm Rooms?

What is the Best Room Temperature for Babies?

New moms have a lot to worry about when their new baby comes home. Whether it be making sure a nursing baby is getting enough to eat to trying to figure out what a baby is trying to tell you when she is crying to making sure that baby is safe and healthy, it can be a bit overwhelming.

But one of the biggest questions that new moms often have relates to the baby’s room temperature. And it’s quite normal to wonder if babies sleep better in cold or warm rooms.

Creating a Safe and Comfortable Sleeping Environment for Your Baby

Parents want to create a comfortable sleeping environment for their baby. The better a baby sleeps, the better mom and dad sleep, which is essential for everyone. Unfortunately, however, the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is often top of mind for parents. Room temperature can play a role in preventing such an unfortunate and tragic occurrence.

One of the best ways to provide a safe and comfortable sleeping space for your baby is to keep the temperature between 68° and 72°F (20° to 22.2°C). Most adults and babies find that a temperature within this range is comfortable, especially when appropriately dressed.

5 Tips to Keep Your Sleeping Baby Comfortable

The first thing to do to ensure that your baby stays comfortable and that she is sleeping in a room of the proper temperature is to use a portable, indoor thermometer if the baby’s room does not have a thermostat. This will provide you some peace of mind that your baby is as safe as possible. And, you may be surprised to realize that your baby will be most comfortable at the same temperature that you sleep at, provided that you sleep at a temperature within the recommended range of 68° and 72°F.

Once you have the temperature set, and under control, you might wish to try some of these tips to help your baby go to sleep and stay asleep throughout the night.

1. Be on the lookout for overheating.

Even though you might have the room temperature under control, as parents, we tend to bundle up our babies when we put them to sleep. Though this might seem like it makes your baby cozier and more comfortable, it could also mean that she has on too many layers. So, if you think your baby might be too warm, try placing your hands on her head or stomach to see if she feels warm. Be sure to look for flushed cheeks, rashes, sweating, damp hair, and rapid breathing, indicating that she is too hot.

2. Don’t over bundle your baby.

Though swaddling is a common way to soothe your baby if she is in distress, a burrito baby that is wrapped too tightly might be at risk of SIDS. Though babies need a lot of blankets, it is often best to consider a light sleep sack to keep her cozy and warm enough at night time. A heavier sleep sack should be reserved for when the weather is cold.

3. Keep cribs free from clutter.

While we hate to mention SIDS repeatedly, parents need to understand that it is a serious risk for babies, especially those under six months of age. Avoid pillows, toys, and stuffed animals that your baby could roll onto during her sleep, thus making it harder for her to breathe. And, understand when your baby can have a blanket at bed time. As a rule of thumb, you should not give your baby a blanket at bed time for the first year.

4. Let your baby sleep in your room for the first few months.

Many pediatricians will recommend that your baby should sleep in a bassinet, crib, or co-sleeper in your room for the first three to six months of life. Though this can occasionally make it harder for mom and dad to fall asleep, parents will get used to the sounds their baby makes when sleeping soundly and safely over time.

5. Use a fan to circulate oxygen in the baby’s room.

Though a room fan doesn’t necessarily decrease the room temperature, it does indeed help circulate oxygen. This can freshen up the air in the room, give your baby better airflow, and help keep them from breathing stagnant air.

Always Check with Your Pediatrician if You Have Questions About Safe Sleeping for Your Baby

If you have questions about the right room temperature for your baby or if you need more guidance on how to help your baby to sleep safely through the night, your pediatrician is the best possible resource.

Though we are in the business of baby blankets and the fantastic memories that personalized blankets can provide for a child, we are not a substitute for your child’s physician. At My Story Blankets, we put love in every stitch and want your baby to sleep safely through the night, every night.