There is so much information around when it comes to infant sleep. Before the baby is born we make sure that we have a safe sleep space for them, all the swaddles, the best sound machine, and the softest sheets. We research everything to try to get them to be good sleepers so that we can have some sanity. But do we ever think about what they are supposed to wear to sleep?
What to Consider
Temperature
Babies are born at various times of the year and how you dress them will most likely depend on the temperature inside your house. Some families like to keep it really cool at night, while others like it warm. Many recommendations say that newborns should sleep with temperatures between 68-72 degrees, but this is not always feasible especially if you live in a hot climate.
All Babies are Different
All babies are different and one baby might be hot in the same clothes that another baby is cold in. It is important to pay attention to how your baby feels. It is best to start with fewer layers and risk the baby being cold because overheating can increase the risk for SIDS. You can check for signs of overheating by looking to see if your baby is flushed or sweaty. Feeling the back of their neck or core will give you a better idea of if they are hot or cold than feeling their hands or feet.
Think about Yourself
When deciding what the baby should wear, think about what you might wear to sleep in this temperature. If it is hot, probably a t-shirt and shorts with a light blanket. If it is colder, maybe long sleeve pajamas under a heavy blanket. At each temperature, an infant would be wearing something similar, except that an infant should never use a blanket. The AAP recommends an empty crib until after 12 months.
Sleepsacks/Swaddles
Sleepsacks and swaddles are safe alternatives to blankets. Many babies love to be swaddled, and it is safe to swaddle your infant until they show signs of rolling. After they roll, or even if they just don’t like to be swaddled, you can use a sleepsack, which is just a wearable blanket that allows their arms to be free. I love the HALO Sleepsack Swaddle because it can be used as a swaddle or a sleepsack.
TOG Ratings
Swaddles and sleepsacks come in TOG ratings which is the Thermal Overall Grade rating. This will tell you how lightweight or heavy the sleepsack or swaddle will be, and therefore how warm or cool it will keep your baby. We recommended sleepsacks of various TOG ratings in this article, but you can check out more of our favorite sleepsacks here.
How to Dress Babies
Warm Temperatures (74-78° indoors)
Onesie + Lightweight Swaddle/Sleepsack
In this weather, you want to aim for less and lightweight. You don’t want to dress your infant in too many clothes or you may run the risk of overheating. In higher temperatures, your baby might be just fine in just a onesie like the Grow by Gerber Baby Onesie, with a lightweight swaddle or sleepsack such as the HALO 100% Cotton Muslin Sleepsack with a 0.5 TOG rating. At this temperature, look for a low TOG rating.
Swaddles tend to come in higher TOG ratings than sleepsacks, so if your baby is still swaddled, make sure to do just a lightweight onesie underneath or even just a diaper.
If your baby does not like a sleepsack or swaddle, you could just do a lightweight sleeper like the Kyte Baby Bamboo Sleeper.
Moderate Temperatures (70-74° indoors)
Sleeper + Lightweight Swaddle/Sleepsack
In this weather, it is probably best for your infant to be dressed in a cotton sleeper like the Simple Joys by Carter’s Footed Cotton Pajamas and a lightweight swaddle or sleepsack such as the aden + anais Wearable Swaddle Blanket with a 1.0 TOG rating.
If your infant does not use a swaddle or sleepsack, they will also most likely be comfortable in just the sleeper as well. In these temperatures, look for a sleepsack or swaddle with a 0.5-1.5 TOG rating. Once again, swaddles tend to come in higher TOG ratings, so you may want to stick to just an onesie under the swaddle if your baby gets warm easily.
Cooler Temperatures (65-70° indoors)
Sleeper + Heavier Swaddle/Sleepsack
At these temperatures, your infant can still wear a cotton sleeper, but they might need a heavier swaddle or sleepsack like the Burt’s Bees Baby Wearable Blanket that comes in multiple TOG ratings.
If your baby is wearing a sleeper that does not have feet, you can put socks on them to keep their feet warm. A sleepsack with a 1.0-2.0 TOG rating would be best for these temperatures. At this temperature, a baby should be fine with a footed sleeper and swaddle with a higher TOG, but make sure to assess because the swaddle will most likely keep them warmer than a sleepsack.
For the infants that do not enjoy a swaddle or sleepsack, you may want to put a onesie under their sleeper to keep them a bit warmer, or put them in just a fleece sleeper like the Carter’s Fleece Footed Sleep and Play.
Cold Temperatures (60-65° indoors)
Sleeper + Onesie + Heavy Swaddle/Sleepsack
If your infant is going to be sleeping in temperatures under 65 degrees, they will most likely need more than one layer. One option is for them to wear a onesie underneath a cotton sleeper, and a warm sleepsack or swaddle, with a 2.0-3.0 rating such as the BABYINABAG Baby Sleepsack.
Another option is to put them in a fleece sleeper under that heavier sleepsack. You can always add an onesie (check out our favorite newborn onesies here) under the fleece sleeper as well if they are feeling cold, or if they don’t like sleepsacks. If the sleeper does not have feet, you can add socks as well.
If your baby is using a swaddle, you may want to use a second swaddle over the first one to keep them warm.
FAQs about Dressing Infants for Sleep
How can I tell if my infant is hot or cold?
You can check for signs of overheating by looking to see if your baby is flushed or sweaty. If the back of their neck or tummy feels hot, they may be too hot. If their back or tummy feels cold, it may be time to add a layer. Do not rely on the temperature of the hands or feet. They tend to be cooler than the core temperature of the body. Just because their hands or feet feel cold does not mean they are cold.
Does my baby need to use a swaddle?
You do not need to use a swaddle, but many infants like to be swaddled and it can help with their sleep. Babies can be swaddled until they show signs of rolling. The swaddle will definitely keep them warmer than just a sleepsack, so make sure not to have too many layers underneath.
Does my baby need footed pajamas?
No, your baby does not need footed pajamas, but they are nice to have in warmer temperatures because baby socks can be hard to keep on. If you live in a warmer climate, you may want to opt for ones without feet to keep the baby cooler. Many pajamas for infants are sold as one-piece footed pajamas that either zip or snap up. As they grow bigger, pajamas tend to come in two-piece sets without the feet. Check out the best pajamas for kids.
Should my baby wear a hat to sleep?
No, a hat is not safe for a baby to sleep in. It could come off and become a suffocation hazard. It also will keep the baby very warm which is more likely to cause overheating. Opt for a thicker sleepsack or second swaddle instead.
Can I use a fan in my baby’s room to keep them cool?
Yes! A fan is a great way to keep your baby cool and can even reduce the risk of SIDS. It can also provide a nice white noise sound to help your baby sleep.
Wrap Up
There is no one exact answer to how to dress your infant for sleep, but there are many different options available no matter what your baby prefers or what temperature your house is at.
In higher temperatures, keep them in a onesie with a sleepsack, or just a cotton sleeper. In more moderate temperatures, a cotton sleeper with a light sleepsack works well. When it starts to get cold, look into heavier sleepsacks and fleece sleepers. Also consider adding a onesie underneath the sleeper for extra warmth.
Not all babies are the same, so in any temperature, assess your baby. You can do this by feeling their back, neck, and core. Add or take away a layer based on your assessment. Remember, adding a blanket for warmth is never ok under 12 months, and sleepsacks are a great blanket alternative. Sometimes it might take a couple of nights to find the right combination.
