How to Keep Baby Warm in Crib According to Pediatrician?

Last Updated on May 22, 2023

There is nothing more important to a parent than the safety and well-being of their child. One of the most important things parents need to know is how to keep baby warm in crib. It’s because babies can’t control their body temperature as we adults can.

That’s why we have to make sure that our baby is not feeling too warm or too cold while sleeping in their crib.

To keep the baby warm in crib, some parents choose to use blankets, while others prefer wearable blankets or sleep sacks. No matter what you choose, it’s important to make sure that your baby is comfortable and safe.

In this blog post, we will discuss the best ways to keep your baby warm in their crib while they sleep. So, keep reading!

How To Keep Baby Warm In Crib While sleeping?

How to keep your baby warm in crib while sleeping? The most effective method to keep a baby warm while napping is to ensure that the room is held at the appropriate temperature.

However, here we’ll discuss the best ways to keep baby warm in crib:

Baby Should Wear the Right Clothes:

You have to dress your baby right to keep them warm in crib. You should dress your baby that is easy to put on and remove. Instead of using heavy or woolen clothes, you can wear him a few layers of cotton clothes that allow you to remove them during diaper changes.

Set Proper Room Temperature:

Making adjustments to the room temperature is the most effective technique to guarantee that your baby stays warm in their crib. The optimal room temperature is around 18-20 degree Celsius.

You can use a thermometer to check the room temperature. If you see the room is cold, it’s better to use an automatic room heater to keep the baby’s room cozy and comfortable, as well as keep them warm in crib.

Use Sleep Sacks:

When adults are cold at night, we may add more blankets to our beds to keep ourselves warm. However, the American Academy Of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that infants should not use any blanket to sleep in their cribs. It’s because the baby can take the blanket on their face that might lead to suffocation.

A wearable blanket, often known as a sleep sack, is a safe and comfortable sleeping solution. It has a similar appearance to a nightgown, but it has a zipper at the bottom to close it. An infant is often unable to remove their sleep sack, preventing them from accidentally concealing their face.

Also read: How to prevent baby from chewing on crib

Covering the Baby’s Hand:

Nobody is happy when their hands are cold; therefore, if you fail to cover your baby’s hands in cold weather, he may become extremely cranky. Soft, beautifully woven mittens are ideal, but a pair of your baby’s socks will suffice in a pinch. If you discover your baby has cold hands at night, you can cover them with baby mittens or even socks.

Another advantage of covering your baby’s hands is keeping them clean. It prevents them from scratching their faces and causing damage to their delicate skin. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, you can cover your baby’s hands and feet while they are sleeping. You should never put them to sleep with any form of head covering or a cap.

Use Firm Mattress:

Your infant must sleep on a firm mattress covered with a well-fitted waterproof mattress protector sheet to stay warm in the crib. Beds constructed of too soft a material might pose a suffocation threat. Plus, the cold air might enter the soft mattress, making the baby sick.

On the other hand, a firm mattress encourages the baby back to sleep, which is linked to a lower incidence of SIDS. After he learns to turn over at six months, your newborn may choose to sleep on her stomach.

Preheat the Crib with a Heating Pad:

If your home is very cold, you can preheat the crib to make your baby’s bed warm and comfortable. You can place a hot water bottle or electric blanket on the crib sheet for a few minutes. To avoid overheating and burns, make sure you remove it before placing your baby in the crib.

Do not leave the baby crib with an electric blanket. The little one might become uncomfortable because young newborns cannot control their body temperatures; you must use extreme caution.

In addition, you should also never use loose blankets in the crib to minimize the risk of SIDS.

Ideal Location:

The arrangement of your baby’s crib in the nursery has an impact on how warm they feel. When arranging furniture in his nursery, keep in mind the following elements that affect the temperature in his room.

• Drafty windows, air vents, fans, and heaters should be positioned at least several feet away from your baby crib to ensure that he does not bathe directly in cold or hot air.
• Keep your infant away from drafty windows, especially if the curtain cords are likely to move in the wind. These ropes pose a strangling risk to your infant.

Certified Crib

You must choose a certified crib that is safe for your infant. A certified crib maintains all safety standards that eventually provide enough airflow in the crib, and a certified mattress keeps the baby warm and cozy.

The bars should not be too thin or broad since this might trap any of the baby’s body parts, and there should be no hanging objects that could cause strangling or choking.

• When purchasing a crib, look for a Children’s Product Certificate (CPC) and only buy second-hand cribs that have this certificate. According to the new rules, cribs sold in stores after 2011 must conform with the new federal crib safety standard.
• The cribs should also be sturdy and have a firm sleeping pad that allows the child to sleep with his or her back supported.
• Newborn can sleep in a crib in your bedroom, but not on your bed with you, because this increases the risk of suffocating and overheating, which is dangerous your baby. Plus, you can accidentally put your hand on baby’s face.

Experts Opinion About Baby Sleeping

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is the number one concern of every parent. Experts suggest that parents should monitor their children’s respiration throughout the night. While no one can eliminate the danger of SIDS, all parents should make efforts to reduce the risk. Following the CDC’s safe sleep habits can help lower the risk of sleep-related fatalities, such as SIDS.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, Bedsharing is not recommended due to the increased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). But they encourage room sharing throughout the first year of life. It means that bringing a bassinet or crib into your bedroom. If something goes wrong, Mom and Dad are close.

The AAP advises that infants should sleep in the same room as their parents but on a different surface specifically built for infant sleep such as a crib or a bassinet for at least the first six month or until the baby is 1 year old.

For the most comfort, babies should always be laid on their backs for naps and at bedtime. It is the most secure position for infants under 12 months.

Infants who can roll in both directions should always start the night on their backs. If they roll over in the middle of the night, you are not required to put them back on their back legs.

Also read: How long can a baby use a mini crib

Keep your Baby from Becoming Overheated

If your infant overheats and sweats excessively, he may get dehydrated. A higher risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is also connected with too much heat.

• Overheating in newborns has been connected to certain SIDS instances. Keep checking your baby’s temperature to ensure that it does not increase beyond 99.5°F (37.5 °C).
• Maintain control over the warmth in your baby’s room and keep an eye on the signs of overheating, such as sweat on his chest or on his forehead.
• Do not over-bundle your kid or hide their face with a blanket. It is recommended that infants should not wear more than cloth as they have almost the same temperature as adults.
• Your infant may require a simple onesie or maybe a diaper in warm weather.

Signs Your Baby is Cold

Chilly children are more likely to wake up throughout the night and be fussy than those who are not. In light of this, keep an eye out for the following indicators:

• Nose discomfort
• Their hands and feet are freezing.
• Pale skin
• Fussy

Although it is unlikely to happen in a climate-controlled environment, you do not want a newborn to become hypothermic. If you believe your infant is too chilly, you should take action to keep her warm.

Signs Your Baby is too Warm

After you have succeeded in making your kid feel warm, you may find that you have done an excessively fantastic job. The following are a few indications that your kid is overheated and that the temperature has risen too high:

• Skin that has been flushed
• The rapid heartbeat
• Anxious
• Sweating

As overheating is a risk factor for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, it is always best to cool down a hot infant. A mild bath, removing a layer of clothes, or even relocating the infant away from the heated room are all options for dealing with heat exhaustion.

FAQs

What’s the ideal room temperature for a baby’s bedroom?

The ideal room temperature for a baby’s bedroom is between 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit. It really depends on the baby’s age, activity level, and whether or not they are wearing clothes.

If your baby is sweaty when everyone else is comfortable, dress him in one layer less than you usually do. If he gets cold, add an extra layer.

Is It Better for a Baby to Sleep in a Cold Room?

A baby should sleep at the ideal room temperature that we’ve mentioned above. It’s because newborns can’t regulate their own body temperature well yet. So if the room is too cold, they may develop hypothermia.

Wrapping up:

Thanks for reading the complete guide on how to keep baby warm in crib. We hope you’ve found this article helpful and informative.

To sum up, we just want to mention that you want to do everything possible to ensure that your baby is comfortable and safe as a parent. This includes making sure that they are warm enough in the crib but not too warm.

The best way to achieve this is by maintaining a comfortable room temperature and keeping an eye on your baby for signs of discomfort.

If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’re always happy to help!

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