“How to dress baby for sleep?” Oh, the anxiety that gripped me as a first-time mom! Figuring out how to dress baby for sleep was quite the mission. And undoubtedly, it’s a universal concern.
Whether you’re from the USA, Japan, or Slovakia, the question remains unchanged for parents worldwide. And for first-time moms and dads, it’s a triple dose of uncertainty and curiosity.
I know the crippling struggle. So, to help with the stress, I’ve put together a guide on how to dress baby for sleep by age. Pin it, save it, or share it with a friend!
How to Dress Baby: General Tips and Guidelines
Before diving into the specifics, let’s go over some general tips and guidelines on how to dress a baby for sleep. These suggestions are universal and apply to all ages. They are also not location-specific, so you don’t have to worry about where you live.
Look at the room temperature
First things first, consider your baby’s sleeping environment. Is the room too hot or too cold? Experts say the ideal room temperature for a sleeping baby is between 68 and 72°F (20 to 22°C).1 However, this isn’t a hard-and-fast rule.
This is because you should consider where you are. Babies living in hotter climates may need less clothing to sleep. In contrast, babies living in colder regions may require more layers.
Moreover, newborns and infants can’t regulate their body temperature as well as adults. So, pay attention to your baby’s cues—if they’re sweating or shivering, adjust their clothing accordingly. Avoid too much air conditioning and heating, too.
Babies lose heat four times as fast as adults. Moreover, a one-degree decline from their standard skin temperature of 97.7°F (36.5°C) can cause their oxygen consumption to increase by 10%.2
Choose safe and comfortable fabrics
You shouldn’t disregard fabrics when dressing your baby for sleep. Since the clothes are closest to your little bub’s skin, choose breathable and natural textiles. These include bamboo, cotton, or linen. Likewise, steer away from polyester or nylon.
In addition, avoid constricting clothing. You want movement for your munchkin, not a tight, immobile fit. Potential choking hazards like buttons, zippers, or ribbons are also a no-no. Instead, opt for loose-fitting, soft sleepwear that’s easy to put on and take off.
Don’t overdress your baby
Parents, don’t overdo it. If you’re in a tank top and shorts, don’t bundle up your little one like an Eskimo. Conversely, if it’s winter and you need a sweater, your baby may need two or three more layers. Sleepsacks are also a great alternative to blankets, which pose suffocating risks.
Again, consider where you live to determine what’s best. If you must layer them in more than one piece of clothing, consider not covering their heads, hands, and feet. These areas are essential for releasing body heat, regulating temperature, and preventing overheating.
How to Dress Newborn For Sleep (0 to 3 Months)
Depending on where you live and the season, there are many ways to dress a newborn. However, remember that they can’t regulate their temperature until six months old. As such, consider the following tips in addition to the tips above:3
- Start with a good base layer, such as a onesie or footed pajamas
- Add a sleep sack or swaddle blanket for warmth if room temperature is below 68°F (20°C)
- Monitor your little one’s comfort by feeling their back, chest, or neck to ensure they’re not sweaty or cold
- Don’t dress them in one or two layers than what the adults wear in the same area
- Don’t dress newborns more than three to five days old with a hat
- Try to regulate room temperature when it reaches or exceeds 75°F (23.9°C)
When Can Babies Sleep With A Blanket?
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, babies under 12 months old shouldn’t sleep with a blanket.4 This is because they’re linked to about 3,400 sudden unexpected infant deaths (SUID) in the U.S. due to accidental suffocation.5 Aside from blankets, other causes of the latter include stuffed toys, pillows, and loose bedding.
How to Dress Newborn in Winter
Winters can get chilly, especially at night. Therefore, the following can help keep your baby warm and cozy:
- Use thicker fabrics, such as fleece or wool
- Dress them in long-sleeved onesies or footed pajamas
- Add layers like socks, booties, and mittens for extra warmth
- Use a sleep sack or swaddle blanket to wrap them up while they sleep
- Monitor your little one’s comfort by feeling their back, chest, or neck to ensure they’re not sweaty or cold
- Ensure the room temperature is between 68 and 72°F (20-22°C) and adjust layers and heating accordingly
- Avoid dressing them in three or more layers
How to Dress Infants for Sleep (3 to 6 Months)
Bedtime styling during infancy is also critical. Thankfully, you don’t have major changes to make. They’re similar to the above tips for newborns, so revert to them if you need a refresher. However, keep these changes in mind:
- Switch to footed pajamas and long-sleeved onesies with zippers or snaps for easier diaper changes
- Avoid using hats unless necessary, as they can cause overheating
- Consider sleep sacks instead of swaddles as babies become more active and may wiggle out of the swaddle
- Check your baby’s comfort by touching their back, chest, or neck to make sure they’re not too hot or too cold
- Keep the room temperature between 68 and 72°F (20-22°C) and adjust clothing and heating as needed
- Don’t layer too much, especially if the room is already warm
How to Dress Babies For Sleep (6 to 12 Months)
I was ecstatic when my children turned one. They were more grown, and it felt like a big milestone. But with this came the need for some wardrobe changes at bedtime. Here are some adjustments you can expect at this stage:
- Opt for warmer pajamas, such as fleece or heavier cotton blends, as they become more active and generate more body heat
- Gradually introduce blankets and wean off sleep sacks
- Introduce two-piece pajamas or separate tops and bottoms for more flexibility in adjusting layers
- Check your baby’s comfort by touching their back, chest, or neck to make sure they’re not too hot or too cold
- Maintain the room temperature between 68 and 72°F (20-22°C) and adjust clothing and heating as needed
- Don’t layer too much, especially if the room is already warm
How to Dress Toddlers For Sleep (12 to 24 Months)
By this time, sleepwear attire becomes more similar to that of adults. Your toddler may be walking, talking, and becoming more independent. In most cases, they may even have preferences on what they want to wear to bed.
I recall how my little boys’ wardrobe was a treasure trove of cute pajamas at this stage. It definitely made bedtime routines more fun. So, for this milestone, here are some things to remember:
- Consider introducing a toddler pillow and soft bedding if you’re not already using them
- Let them choose what they want to wear, but always ensure they’re dressed appropriately for the room temperature
- Consider dressing them in two-piece pajamas with elastic waistbands for easier bathroom trips
- Slowly introduce using thin, short blankets when they turn a year old
Additional Safety Tips for Dressing Babies and Toddlers for Sleep
In addition to sleepwear styling, be mindful of the following when putting your little one to sleep:
- Place them on a firm and flat surface, especially when they can already roll on their tummy
- Don’t place stuffed toys, loose bedding, pillows, and blankets in their crib until they’re at least a year old
- Put them on their backs, not their tummy or side, when putting them to sleep
- Keep cords, strings, and other potentially hazardous objects out of reach of your little one’s sleeping area
- Share a room (not a bed) for the first few months per the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation
- Don’t use scented detergents to wash baby clothes
- Consider using a fan for hot room temperature
Talk to your pediatrician for the best recommendation and advice for other sleeping-related concerns. Likewise, adjust as you go along. Your munchkin’s needs and milestones will constantly change, so make sure their sleepwear and sleeping environment change, too.
Wrapping up
How to dress baby for sleep is crucial, especially in the first few months of life. Follow the tips above for safety and comfort. Sweet dreams to your little one, and happy parenting!
What other tips do you have for dressing babies and toddlers for sleep? Share your thoughts below!
- Tsogt et al. “Thermoregulatory effects of swaddling in Mongolia: a randomised controlled study.” Archives of Disease in Childhood, 2016. ↩︎
- “Keeping Your Baby Warm.” University of Rochester Medical Center. ↩︎
- Moon et al. “Sleep-Related Infant Deaths: Updated 2022 Recommendations for Reducing Infant Deaths in the Sleep Environment.” American Academy of Pediatrics, 2022.
↩︎ - Moon, R. “How to Keep Your Sleeping Baby Safe: AAP Policy Explained.” Healthy Children.org, 2023. ↩︎
- Sudden Unexpected Infant Death and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023.
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![Parenting a strong-willed, sensitive child is challenging. We want to preserve their spirit while effectively parenting them. This is how to work with your child's temperament and improve cooperation. My first strong-willed, sensitive child was my daughter. Shortly after she was born, many described my baby girl as an old soul. As an infant, her eyes were wide with curiosity. With a serious expression on her face, it was as if she was analyzing everything. As an infant, she was a happy baby. However, she got overstimulated easily and was quick to let me know when I needed to take her out of a crowded room. Her first day of preschool was another example of how her personality plays out. She had her backpack ready days before the first day of school. Once she was packed, she was furious she couldn't go to school that instant. When the first day of school came, she lept with joy. When we pulled into the parking lot, she told me to wait in the car and let her walk in on her own. Considering the fact she was three and not thirteen, the answer to that demand has a hard no. I did my best to keep with my two-year-old son on my hip as my little girl burst through the rusty red school doors. In the classroom, her whirlwind of excitement came to a screeching halt as she saw another girl crying. My daughter's desire to leave me in the dust tapered. Her big brown eyes got even darker as the empathy she felt for the girl washed over her. "She's sad, Mama." My daughter didn't know how to reconcile the dissonant emotions. She was excited to leave me while another child was brokenhearted that her mom had left. Thankfully, this situation acted as an opportunity for both girls to make a friend before class started. (They felt the cloakroom holding hands and were best friends for the rest of the school year.) This example of the juxtaposition of my daughter's strong-will and sensitivity is one of many. But my son is also highly sensitive and willful. Because of this, our days are punctuated by headstrong and emotional reactions. For example, when a soccer game got too rough, my son made his way to the sidelines, crossed his arms, and refused to get back on the field. And, the other day, decided to set up a lemonade stand, they went toe-to-toe over whether or not a lemonade stand can carry drinks other than lemonade. They argued about the best place to set up the stand. And, when no one came to their sale, they were both crestfallen. Related reading: Parenting a Strong-Willed Child? These are the best books to increase cooperation Parenting a strong-willed, sensitive child is challenging. If you can relate to examples like these, chances are you find parenting your child to be dynamic and, at times, exhausting. There is no autopilot for parenting these precocious and emotional souls. This is because strong-willed children take nothing at face value. They are forever trying to determine what the boundaries are and will always try to negotiate. Furthermore, these children are acutely aware of changes in their environment, have big hearts, and equally big emotional reactions. So often, children of this nature pick battles or are devastated over things like: being served big carrots you cut for them instead of mini carrots, you suggesting they wear a pair of pants that "feel funny," a change in plans, like having to wait to go to the aquarium because the baby hasn't woken from his nap. The good news. Strong-willed, sensitive children are naturally equipped with some of the greatest predictors of lifelong success. For one, they are naturally tenacious. When a strong-willed child doesn't get her way, she brainstorms, negotiates, and presses the issue. For instance, when their lemonade stand failed, my children eventually decided to add more items, a price list, and find a higher traffic location (they set up right near a construction site.) As a result, they both came home happy, clenching about $3 in change each. In addition to grit, these children are more inclined to be leaders and stand up for what's right. Laura Markham, clinical psychologist at Columbia University explains, [Strong-willed children] are usually self-motivated and inner-directed, and often grow into leaders as adults. They are more impervious to peer pressure and go after what they want with more gusto. They want to “learn things for themselves rather than accepting what others say, so they test the limits over and over,” and this relates to relationships as well. Such discernment involves not only when they cut their hair, eat vegetables, or choose to wear a coat, but also in whom they decide to trust and in whom they choose to follow or who they allow themselves to be influenced by. Finally, emotionally intelligent people tend to have better job performance (1). And, highly sensitive people tend to be empathetic, smart, and contentious (2). How do you know you have a strong-willed, sensitive child? Children who have strong-willed temperaments tend to: be prone to power struggles, question authority and rules, be bright and persistent, frequently test authority figures (parents, babysitters, substitute teachers, extended family) to see determine what the boundaries are, protest readily when expectations seem unfair, carry arguments on for longer and farther than one would anticipate (3). Children who are highly sensitive tend to: be very intuitive, learn better with gentle correction rather than harsh punishment, notice when others are bothered or upset, feel emotions deeply, picks up on subtle changes (such as the "slightest unusual odour") asks a lot of questions, is very sensitive to pain. You can take the Highly Sensitive Child test, developed based Dr Elaine Aron's research, here. As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. 5 key strategies that make parenting a strong-willed, sensitive child easier. Frame your child's behaviour. By understanding your strong-willed, sensitive child, you have context for your child's behaviour and are better equipped to coach it. Work with your child's personality by establishing the family rules together. Call a family meeting and discuss problems as well as goals. Prompt your children to talk about what rules they think are reasonable as well as how they should be reminded when mistakes are made. In this situation, you are still the parent and you are guiding the discussion while collaborating to accomplish peace and cooperation in your household. Frontload as often as possible. This means to look for every chance to give your child a heads-up before disappointment strikes, plans change, or the going gets tough. This will make it so much easier for her to be resilient when she feels challenged. Make boundaries firm and discipline gentle. Strong-willed children need to know what rules are non-negotiable. This minimizes power struggles and also facilitates confidence in a child. Research shows that sensitive children feel the most vulnerable when boundaries aren't clear (3). Equally, discipline must be calm and gentle. Studies on sensitive children show that they hold themselves highly accountable for their mistakes (4). In cases of misbehaviour, the best approach is a subtle reminder or in more extreme cases a timeout where you're with your child. When appropriate and with your child's permission, explain your child's temperament to others. Some may mistakenly think your child is intentionally being too sensitive or strong-willed. Others may not know how to make sense of your child's nature. By giving context to who your child is, the adults in your child's life will be better equipped to take care of and guide him. A final note on sensitive and strong-willed children Strong-willed, sensitive children require patience and consideration. They aren't easy to raise, but their temperament gives them the innate capacity to become compassionate and meaningful leaders. The key is to work with their personality while increasing cooperation. To do so, the adults in their lives must work with them instead of against them, be clear with their expectations but gentle with their discipline, and act as their advocate where appropriate. In doing so, adults are able to guide the child in a way that celebrates who she is. This then gives the child to truly become the person she is meant to be.](https://parentfromheart.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/strong-willed-child-upset.jpg)
