Babies sleep a lot, especially at the newborn stage (0-3 months). So learning how to dress your baby for sleep is important for every new parent. This might sound easy, but

In this article, you'll learn how to dress your baby for sleep time.

The best baby clothing for sleeping: onesies

If you want to keep your baby warm and cozy during sleep time, there is one layer of clothing that is essential: baby onesies, also known as baby grows, baby pajamas, or footies.

Baby onesie pajamas are the most versatile option for the baby's sleep time since some babies do not tolerate baby sacks or even blankets. For each case, you can buy a lighter or thicker baby onesie.

To swaddle or not to swaddle?

Newborns love being swaddled because it makes them feel as safe and soothed as they were in the womb. Your baby might like to wear a onesie and a lightweight swaddle for the most comfort.

Be sure the swaddle is not able to come loose and cover the baby's head, face, or neck. Since the baby's face needs to be free to breathe easily.

However, once your baby starts to roll over, you should stop swaddling the baby, as it is no longer safe. In this scenario, consider a sleep sack or a thicker onesie.

You may also consider buying a wearable blanket, also known as a sleep sack or sleeping bag. However, your baby will probably outgrow it and you'll need to buy a new sleep sack. On the other hand, regular swaddle blankets are more versatile with the age of the baby than sleep sacks.

When you buy sleep sacks or swaddle blankets, look for the thermal overall grade (TOG). This is a rating that tells you how warm they might be.

Ensure your baby's comfort

Make sure to let your baby sleep in clothes made with the softest fabric. This will protect the baby's delicate skin during short naps and night sleep.

The softest cotton on earth is Pima cotton, just perfect to be in contact with your baby's skin. This is why baby onesies made from this fabric are the best option available on the market since they are in direct contact with the baby's skin from the chest to the little feet.

You should dress your baby in one additional layer than what you’d be comfortable wearing at night in their room. This is the easiest way to keep the baby comfortable on warm nights or cooler weather.

Check if your baby is in a safe sleeping environment

The main reason for looking at how to dress a baby for sleep is to keep them safe. You may have heard of sudden infant death syndrome or other sleep-related infant deaths.

They are surely tragic and it is important to prevent those by ensuring a safe environment for your baby to sleep in.

The room's temperature

According to most sources, the ideal room temperature should be between 20° and 22°C (68° and 72°F), so if the baby's room gets cooler or warmer, consider changing the thermostat, or adding or removing a layer.

However, the room temperature is secondary to the baby's temperature, so check it regularly.

The baby's temperature

The way you dress baby boys and girls will influence their body temperature.

Too cold

If your baby starts shivering, or his extremities, hands, feet, and/or face are cold and red or have turned pale and hard, your baby is probably struggling with too much cold, also named frosting.

If this happens, you shouldn't rub the cold area to rewarm it, as this could damage the cold skin. Instead, use warm washcloths to gently reheat the skin, then put on warm and dry clothes. If he doesn't improve in a few minutes, call your doctor.

Too hot

Babies can overheat if they have too many warm clothes on top of them. Signs of baby overheating include flushed skin, sweating (not always), fussiness, elevated heart rate, dizziness, and/or vomiting.

If your baby overheats, you could move him to a cooler space, remove excess layers of clothing, give him a tepid or lukewarm bath, or place a cool washcloth on their skin and/or breastfeed or hydrate him with extra formula feeds.

It can be hard to tell if your baby is overheating or has a fever. When in doubt, call your pediatrician.

Always remember to contact a certified pediatric sleep consultant in case of any emergency related to baby sleeping.

If you are looking to buy the best Peruvian Pima cotton onesies and blankets for your baby, check Lydababy's online store.