To dress your baby for bed safely and comfortably, the key is to consider the room temperature and avoid overdressing or using loose bedding.

Recommended Sleepwear for Babies

• Sleepsuits (Onesies): These are the preferred base layer for babies to sleep in. Choose soft, breathable fabrics like cotton that keep your baby warm without overheating and allow freedom of movement

• Sleeping Bags (Wearable Blankets): Baby sleeping bags are safer alternatives to loose blankets, providing warmth without the risk of covering the baby's head. Select a sleeping bag with a tog rating appropriate for the room temperature (tog measures warmth)

• Blankets: If you use blankets, they should be lightweight and firmly tucked in below the baby's shoulders to prevent them from slipping over the head, but generally, sleeping bags are safer

Layering Based on Room Temperature

• Below 16°C: Dress baby in a vest, sleepsuit, and a 2.5 tog sleeping bag

• 17°C to 20°C: Sleepsuit with a 2.5 tog sleeping bag

• 20°C to 22°C: Sleepsuit with a 1 tog sleeping bag

• 22°C to 24°C: Sleepsuit alone is usually sufficient

• 24°C to 27°C: Vest with an optional 0.5 tog sleeping bag or just a sleepsuit depending on comfort

• Above 27°C: Baby can sleep in just a nappy, no additional layers needed

Additional Tips

• Dress your baby in one more layer than you would wear yourself to be comfortable

• Avoid hats or beanies during sleep as babies release heat through their heads and head coverings can cause overheating or suffocation risk

• Keep the room temperature ideally between 20-22°C (68-72°F) to reduce risks of overheating or cold

• Check your baby’s temperature by feeling their neck or tummy; adjust layers accordingly to avoid overheating or chilling

• For newborns, swaddles or SleepSack swaddles can help with startle reflex but stop swaddling once the baby shows signs of rolling over

In summary, a good approach is a comfortable cotton sleepsuit paired with a tog-appropriate sleeping bag, adjusting layers based on room temperature to keep your baby cozy but not overheated during sleep