by maipham

May 2, 2020

How to dress baby for sleep in 70 degree room

This post may contain affiliate links so I earn a commission. Please read my disclosure for more info.

Having a newborn in the house is not something you can just simply say “awww” and then do something else.

It means you, as a parent, have to look after that tiny human, taking care of him from his sleep to his food. 

No matter how much you read and prepare in advance, when holding your baby in your arms, your mind started going wild.

“OMG, I hope my baby is comfortable”

“Am I holding him too tight?”

“Is he sleeping, is he still breathing?”

“Is he hungry, when was the last time he ate? Do I need to wake him up and feed him?”

“Is his diaper dirty? Should I change him now? Can I wake him up?”

When your baby is safe in your arms, you feel ok. But when you have to put him down to his crib, then your mind goes wild again.

“Is it too hot, is it too cold, is his clothes warm enough?”

And you have a good reason to wonder. According to Healthlinkbc, an overheated baby has a higher risk of SIDS. You have to make sure how to keep your baby warm but not hot.

In this article, I will show you exactly how to dress a baby for sleep in a 70 degree room, which is in the safe temperature range.

How to dress baby for sleep by temperature: recommended room temperature for babies

“Hey, my baby was comfortable inside my belly for 9 months, with the temperature of 98 degree Fahrenheit, or 37 degrees Celsius. Then I should create a similar environment for him!”

A lot of people think that, but it is not the case. 

Think deeper for a moment, our body temperature is 37 degrees Celsius or 98 degrees Fahrenheit, then we should be very comfortable when the environment around us has the same temperature, yes? Then why do we stay inside an air-conditioned room when it is only 80 degree F or 27 degree C?

Same thing for babies. Trust me, they don’t sleep well in an overheated room.

Luckily, there’s a range, so you don’t have to keep your home at one exact temperature. In general, experts recommend temperatures between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the equivalent of 18 to 21 degrees Celsius.

It sounds too cold, doesn’t it? Even for adults.

But as a baby’s temperature is usually higher than adults, they can deal with a cooler room.

Don’t let your baby’s cool hands and feets fool you and add more covers and blankets for him. He is most comfortable when his neck is warm (not hot, not sweaty) and his hands and feets are cool (sometimes cold). This is because they are often exposed and thus will naturally carry a lower temperature. If the hands and feet are cold, this doesn’t mean that your baby is too cold!

How to dress baby for sleep by temperature: how do I know if my baby is too hot?

The easiest way to tell if your baby is too hot or too cold is by feeling the nape of the neck to see if it’s sweaty or cold to the touch. Moreover, there are a few more signs of overheating:

  • They feel warm to the touch
  • Your baby’s skin is red
  • They have a rapid heartbeat
  • They have a fever but aren’t sweating
  • Your baby is lethargic or unresponsive
  • Your baby is vomiting
  • Your baby seems dizzy or confused

How to dress baby for sleep by temperature: how do I know if my baby is too cold?

This is quite unlikely in a room temperature, but if the weather is too cold, you will have to check if your baby is warm enough. Here’s a few signs to check if your baby is too cold.

  • The nape of his neck, belly and torso are cold
  • Your baby is unresponsive
  • Your baby’s skin is pale, even purple

What are the risks of the baby becoming either overheated or too cold?

Babies who are overheated can be irritable and restless, and can even develop a fever. In extreme cases, overheating can also cause heat stroke.

If your baby feels overheated, start to remove layers gradually and offer cool, but not cold, water. If his condition does not improve rapidly, call your pediatrician.

When babies are too cold, they can become less responsive. If your baby seems cool to the touch as well as lethargic or unresponsive, you should talk to your pediatrician or health care provider immediately.

I don’t have a thermostat, can I look at the temperature in the air conditioner remote control?

I still recommend getting a thermostat to check your room temperature, but if you can’t, using some phone apps or air conditioner as preferences to dress your baby. Then frequently check your baby and adjust your baby’s clothes if needed.

What is TOG?

TOG stands for ‘Thermal Overall Grade’, which is a unit of measurement used to calculate the thermal insulation of a product, usually in the textile industry.

To help parents understand which TOG values are right for differing room temperatures, a set of guidelines has been established as per below:

0.2 TOG – ideal for room temperatures between 24°C and 27°C

1.0 TOG – ideal for room temperatures between 20°C to 24°C

2.5 TOG – ideal for room temperatures between 16°C to 20°C

3.5 TOG – ideal for room temperatures below 16°C

The ultimate guide on how to dress baby for sleep by temperature

how to dress baby for sleep in 70 degree room

How to dress a baby for sleep in a 70 degree room?

Because the ideal room temperature seems too cold for babies, many parents try to put the room in the higher safe range, from 70 to 72 degree Fahrenheit which is equivalent to 21 to 21 degree Celsius. So according to the guide above, you wonder exactly how to dress a baby for sleep in a 70 degree room.

You will need:

- Short sleeve bodysuit

– Pyjamas

– Sleeping bag (TOG 1) - or swaddle

Here’s an example:

Here’s another example:

How to dress a baby for sleep in a 75 degree room?

You will need:

– Pyjamas

– Sleeping bag (TOG 1) - or swaddle

Here’s an example:

Final thought

Now you’ve known how to dress your baby for sleep in a 70 degree room safely and comfortably. Although there should be no issue (assume that your baby is healthy and there are no unusual conditions), you still have to check your baby often and adjust your baby’s clothes accordingly.

Every baby is different. There are always some babies who do not follow any norms. Maybe your baby is one of them. 

It’s a good thing. And it’s ok. Because your baby is meant to be unique.

Have a good night babies!

About the author 

Mai Pham

Mai Pham discovered her passion for writing a few years ago and she never stop thinking about it ever since. She finally took the leap and created Live a Worthy Life to brag about her smart ass (mainly just for fun). Enjoyed the fun writing brings, now with her new interest in everything-baby-related, she created Mommy Instinct, to tell mamas that it's ok that they mess up, that they don't know what the hell they are doing, and that it's okay to sit back and relax for a while.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked

{"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}

RELATED ARTICLES