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How to layer your baby's sleepwear at night

How to layer your baby's sleepwear at night

Babies often wake from the cold in the early hours of the morning, but it can be hard to work out how to layer your baby at night, especially if baby's room is hot at the start of the night, but drops quickly overnight. So, if you're wondering how to layer your babe for cooler temperatures, here’s a handy guide to winter layers for your baby.  

And remember, trust your gut. You've got this. Our clothing guides are only guides - there isn't a guide which can be applied to all babies. Use your judgement - if your little one feels cold or hot and is waking more frequently, experiment with the layers - add or remove or think about moving to a different weight bag (in summer for example). Over-heating is one of the risk factors for SIDS, so it is essential parents are aware of how to ensure their baby doesn't overheat. A baby who is too hot may be crying, red and sweaty and increasingly distressed. Babies who are too hot will find it hard to settle and sleep. You may also see a heat rash. Read more about overheating here.

 

By Maria Linton, Resident Sleep Coach : Qualified Happiest Baby educator & qualified Infant and Child Sleep Consultant

Choosing the right layers of sleepwear

Layer 1: A singlet (or singlet suit)

I like to use a light organic cotton or merino sleeveless singlet or singletsuit. A singletsuit provides the added benefit of not riding up and leaving bubs with a cold tummy because of the snaps under the crotch, but either is a good base layer. Merino and cotton are both lovely on the skin and are breathable.

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Layer 2: A long sleeved bodysuit

A soft and cosy merino bodysuit is perfect for a wide temperature range as it helps to regulate body temperature. These are especially ideal for Autumn through to Spring, when the temperature can be all over the place, and there are often drops to cool temperatures in the early morning. Merino is also great for wicking moisture away from the skin so baby doesn't get all clammy and cold.

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Layer 3: Sleepsuit or Pyjama's

Time to get extra cosy! Long sleeves and long legs keep babe lovely and warm through Autumn and Winter. It’s important to know that it’s fine if your baby has cool hands – to check if baby is warm enough we would suggest feeling the top of their back - they should feel dry and warm (not hot) to the touch. If you're worried your little one is too cold, add a pair of merino socks.

 

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Layer 4: Swaddle or Sleeping Bag

The final layer is a swaddle or sleeping bag and depending on the time of year, room temperature and the age of your babe, you might be using a swaddle, a 3 seasons or midweight sleeping bag or a duvet weight/ 2.5 tog or 3.5 tog sleeping bag. You may even be swaddling over a sleeping bag (yes, you can use a Miracle Blanket swaddle & sleeping bag together, when you're transitioning a baby out of swaddling!)

 

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How to put all the layers together

Here are some examples of how to layer your baby's sleepwear for optimum cosiness! Remember - Always check on your little one. Feeling behind their neck or on their chest is a good way to get an indication that they aren't too hot or cold.  

 

Layering with a winter weight sleeping bag or swaddle (Duvet Woolbabe or 2.5/3.5 Tog Bag)

For room temperatures between 16 - 18 degrees

With a Duvet Weight Woolbabe or 2.5 Tog Sleeping Bag (such as Ergopouch or The Sleep Store), choose a Long Sleeve Bodysuit, PJ's or Onesie and Wool Socks.


For room temperatures between 18 - 20 degrees

With a Duvet Weight Woolbabe or 2.5 Tog Sleeping Bag (such as Ergopouch or Love to Dream), choose a Onesie or Zipsuit


For room temperatures between 20 - 22 degrees

With a Duvet Weight Woolbabe or 2.5 Tog Sleeping Bag (such as Ergopouch), choose a Long Sleeve Bodysuit - we love merino for it's temperature regulating properties and ability to wick moisture away from the skin.

Please note: These are guidelines only. It is important not to overheat your baby. The best guide is to consider whether the heating, bedding and clothing would add up to a comfortable sleeping temperature for you. The ideal room temperature for children is 16 to 20 degrees celsius, with 18 degrees considered perfect! Please consult your medical professional for further advice if required.


Layering with a mid weight sleeping bag or swaddle (3 Seasons Woolbabe or 1.0 Tog Bag)

For room temperatures between 24 - 26 degrees

With a 3 seasons Woolbabe or 1.0 Tog rated sleeping bag (such as Ergopouch or The Sleep Store), choose summer PJ's or a short sleeve bodysuit.


For room temperatures between 22 - 24 degrees

With a 3 seasons Woolbabe or 1.0 Tog rated sleeping bag (such as Ergopouch or The Sleep Store), choose a long sleeve bodysuit.


For room temperatures between 20 - 22 degrees

With a 3 seasons Woolbabe or 1.0 Tog rated sleeping bag (such as Ergopouch or The Sleep Store), choose a zipsuit (or onesie).


For room temperatures between 18 - 20 degrees

With a 3 seasons Woolbabe or 1.0 Tog rated sleeping bag (such as Ergopouch or The Sleep Store), choose a long sleeve bodysuit and a onesie or PJ's.

Note: These videos are a guide only. It is important not to overheat your baby. The best guide is to consider whether the heating, bedding and clothing would add up to a comfortable sleeping temperature for you. The ideal room temperature for children is 16 to 20 degrees Celsius, with 18 degrees considered perfect! Please consult your medical professional for further advice if required.


Extra helpful tips!

1. To keep little feet warm in winter add a pair of wool socks.  Lamington merino socks are our favourite!

2. Use a room thermometer - we love the Gro Egg. As well as having a room temperature display, it is colour coded so you can gauge the room temperature at a glance - perfect when us parents are busy with the bath, story, bed routine!

How to layer baby sleepwear with a Woolbabe Duvet Sleeping Bag for room temps of 16 - 18 Degrees

Layering baby clothing for a cosy overnight sleep can be hard, especially when baby's room is warm at the beginning of the night and drops quickly in the early hours of the morning. Babies often wake from cold in the early hours of the morning. Keeping bubs toasty warm at room temperatures between 16 and 18 degrees is easy with our layering guide. Dress baby in a long sleeve bodysuit, PJ's (or zip suit) and wool socks and you can be sure they'll be toasty all night. The merino component of a Woolbabe Duvet Weight Sleeping Bag will help regulate baby's temperature all night long and we suggest using a merino bodysuit as the base layer. You could also use this layering guide with a 2.5 tog or 3.5 tog bag. Remember, it's important not to overheat your baby and these suggestions are a guide only - you know your baby best.

https://i3.ytimg.com/vi/QM0YWMLZ6t4/maxresdefault.jpg

2021-05-06

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The Sleep Store

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https://youtu.be/QM0YWMLZ6t4

How to layer baby sleepwear with a Woolbabe Duvet Sleeping Bag for room temps of 18-20 degrees

Layering baby clothing for a cosy overnight sleep can be hard, especially when baby's room temperature can fluctuate in the shoulder seasons, starting the night warm and dropping quickly in the early hours of the morning, when babies often wake up cold. Keeping bubs cosy, but not too hot at room temperatures between 18 and 20 degrees is easy with our layering guide. Dress baby in a zip suit (or onesie) with the Woolbabe Duvet Weight sleeping bag. The merino component of a Woolbabe will help regulate baby's temperature all night long and we suggest using a merino bodysuit as the base layer for it's temperature regulating properties. You could also use this layering guide with a 2.5 tog sleeping bag. Remember, it's important not to overheat your baby and these suggestions are a guide only - you know your baby best.

https://i3.ytimg.com/vi/TwgyFOyEcpk/maxresdefault.jpg

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwgyFOyEcpk&list=TLGGsAiXz04AsOgxNjA2MjAyMg

How to layer baby sleepwear with a Woolbabe Duvet Sleeping Bag for room temps of 20-22 degrees

Layering baby clothing for overnight sleep can be hard, especially if baby's room is warm during the warmer months of the year. Keeping bubs cosy, but not too hot at room temperatures between 20 and 22 degrees is easy with our layering guide. Dress baby in a long sleeve bodysuit with the Woolbabe Duvet Weight sleeping bag to help keep them the right temperature all night. The merino component of a Woolbabe will help regulate baby's temperature and if combining with a merino bodysuit, the merino will wick moisture away from the skin if baby gets too hot. You could also use this layering guide with a 2.5 tog sleeping bag. Remember, it's important not to overheat your baby and these suggestions are a guide only - you know your baby best.

https://i3.ytimg.com/vi/af0KLnsx2YQ/maxresdefault.jpg

2021-05-06

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The Sleep Store

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=af0KLnsx2YQ&list=TLGG60YqaSKxCY4xNjA2MjAyMg

How to layer baby sleepwear with a Woolbabe 3 Seasons sleeping bag for room temps of 24-26 degrees

Layering baby clothing for overnight sleep can be hard, especially if baby's room is warm during the warmer months of the year. Keeping bubs cosy, but not too hot at room temperatures between 24 and 26 degrees is easy with our layering guide. Dress baby in a summer pyjama's or a short sleeve bodysuit with the Woolbabe 3 Seasons sleeping bag to help keep them the right temperature all night. The merino component of a Woolbabe will help regulate baby's temperature and wick moisture away from the skin. You could also use this layering guide with a 1.0 tog sleeping bag. Remember, it's important not to overheat your baby and these suggestions are a guide only - you know your baby best.

https://i3.ytimg.com/vi/Xk35ihbbJ_Y/maxresdefault.jpg

2021-05-06

PT0M21S

The Sleep Store

https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-ejs8jv4vgh/images/stencil/239x52/logo-small_1582001262__84777.original.jpg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xk35ihbbJ_Y&list=TLGG8Y4-ESkwlnAxNjA2MjAyMg

How to layer baby sleepwear with a Woolbabe 3 Seasons sleeping bag for room temps of 22-24 degrees

Layering baby clothing for a cosy overnight sleep can be hard, especially when baby's room is warm at the beginning of the night and drops quickly in the early hours of the morning. Babies often wake from cold in the early hours of the morning. Keeping bubs cosy, but not too hot at room temperatures between 22 and 24 degrees is easy with our layering guide. Dress baby in a long sleeve bodysuit with the Woolbabe 3 Seasons sleeping bag. The merino component of a Woolbabe will help regulate baby's temperature all night long and we suggest using a merino bodysuit as the base layer. You could also use this layering guide with a 1.0 tog sleeping bag. Remember, it's important not to overheat your baby and these suggestions are a guide only - you know your baby best.

https://i3.ytimg.com/vi/0QRq8X6rq_Y/maxresdefault.jpg

2021-05-06

PT0M16S

The Sleep Store

https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-ejs8jv4vgh/images/stencil/239x52/logo-small_1582001262__84777.original.jpg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QRq8X6rq_Y&list=TLGG7TTaR5urJtoxNjA2MjAyMg

How to layer baby sleepwear with a Woolbabe 3 Seasons sleeping bag for room temps of 20-22 degrees

Layering baby clothing for a cosy overnight sleep can be hard, especially when baby's room temperature can fluctuate in the shoulder seasons. Babies often wake from cold in the early hours of the morning, so dressing them correctly can help them sleep better. Keeping bubs the cosy, but not too hot at room temperatures between 20 and 22 degrees celsius is easy with our layering guide. Dress baby in a long sleeve zip suit (or onesie) with the Woolbabe 3 Seasons sleeping bag. The merino component of a Woolbabe will help regulate baby's temperature all night long. We suggest using a merino base layer, which will not only help regulate baby's temperature, but also wick moisture away from the skin. You could also use this layering guide with a 1.0 tog sleeping bag. Remember, it's important not to overheat your baby and these suggestions are a guide only - you know your baby best.

https://i3.ytimg.com/vi/dlRvhcnSr7k/maxresdefault.jpg

2021-05-06

PT0M20S

The Sleep Store

https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-ejs8jv4vgh/images/stencil/239x52/logo-small_1582001262__84777.original.jpg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlRvhcnSr7k&list=TLGGBZlelqVf0AYxNjA2MjAyMg

How to layer baby sleepwear with a Woolbabe 3 Seasons sleeping bag for room temps of 18-20 degrees

Layering baby clothing for a cosy overnight sleep can be hard, especially when baby's room temperature can fluctuate in the shoulder seasons. Babies often wake from cold in the early hours of the morning, so dressing them correctly can help them sleep better. Keeping bubs cosy, but not too hot at room temperatures between 18 and 20 degrees is easy with our layering guide. Dress baby in a long sleeve bodysuit and a zip suit (or onesie) with the Woolbabe 3 Seasons sleeping bag. The merino component of a Woolbabe will help regulate baby's temperature all night long and we suggest using a merino bodysuit as the base layer for it's temperature regulating properties. You could also use this layering guide with a 1.0 tog sleeping bag. Remember, it's important not to overheat your baby and these suggestions are a guide only - you know your baby best.

https://i3.ytimg.com/vi/dspkpXkJpf0/maxresdefault.jpg

2021-05-06

PT0M32S

The Sleep Store

https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-ejs8jv4vgh/images/stencil/239x52/logo-small_1582001262__84777.original.jpg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dspkpXkJpf0&list=TLGGLgKoMz2SdPMxNjA2MjAyMg