To help your baby sleep, you have to lower their body temperature. However, babies are not capable of regulating themselves as they are too young so our blog gives you some tips for a good night’s sleep for your baby.
Refresh the room before putting them to bed. Ideally the temperature of your baby’s bedroom should be 19 degrees. "Ideally," because it’s complicated to achieve such a temperature when it's 30 degrees outside. Close the shutters and windows in the morning when the outside temperature starts to rise. At night, if the outside air is more breathable, open the windows and ventilate. Otherwise, place a bottle of ice water in front of a fan.
Avoid air conditioning and fan. Although this cools the air, it dries the air and mucous membranes leaving the air dry and babies need moist air to breathe correctly. However avoid running the fan all night, even at low intensity because it’s easy for children to feel the cold and will end up catching a cold.
Use a spray water or mister. This will lower the body temperature of your child. Preferably use a spray water from a distance, and on his body rather than his head. You can also slightly dampen a washcloth (not soak) and place it on their legs, arms and neck to cool them down.
Use a muslin cotton sleeping bag. At Slumbersac we offer a range of muslin cotton sleeping bags. These sleeping bags are light and breathable and reduce the risk of overheating as it allows air to flow and absorbs perspiration. It regulates your baby’s temperature all night leaving them with a peaceful night’s sleep.
Give milk at room temperature. If you are not breastfeeding, do not heat the milk bottle and instead give your baby their milk at room temperature. Thus, the body temperature will not increase.
After six months, you can wake them to nurse them. In the case of hot weather and if your child is over six months, you can wake them up in the night to nurse them and avoid dehydration. However, if they are below six months, the baby does not drink liquids other than milk. If you give them water during the day, make sure it’s always either in very small quantities. Otherwise, they will feel full and will eat less.
