‘What should my baby wear to bed?’ may seem a simple question for many, but for new parents it can be a minefield. Especially if we’re going through a summer heatwave or a very cold spell.

It’s normal to worry that your little one may become too hot or too cold, especially as young babies are unable to regulate their body temperature and release heat rapidly.

From knowing what tog size sleep bags to buy, to how many layers your newborn should be wearing to sleep depending on the temperature, here’s our guide to what your baby should wear at night, so both you and your baby can (hopefully) get a peaceful night’s sleep.

Check your baby’s room temperature

The temperature of your baby’s room is the biggest indicator as to what your little one should be dressed in when it’s time for bed. Your baby’s room should be kept between 16-20°C. At this temperature, your baby should wear a vest, sleep suit and have a lightweight sleeping bag.

The best way of checking your baby’s room temperature is using a baby room thermometer in your baby’s room. This will help you determine what they should wear at night. We’re huge fans of the Tommee Tippee GroEgg2, a nightlight and thermometer in one, which glows different colours according to the temperature of your baby’s bedroom.

What should my baby wear to bed?

When it comes to dressing your little one, remember that simple is safest. Babies do not need to sleep under a duvet until they are much older. Don’t overdo the blankets as little legs can kick loose blankets off, so if you can, try to avoid using them and use swaddles or sleep bags instead.

Your little one will also need more layers depending on how cold it is. Always start by dressing your little one in a vest, as this is all they would need to wear if the temperature is above 25 degrees. You can then pop them in a swaddle or sleep bag to keep them cosy.

If it’s below 20 degrees, layer up your newborn with a sleepsuit. It’s important to remember not to dress your baby in a hat or gloves for bedtime, even in cold weather, and during the summer months don’t overdress them, as this can increase the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SID).

Here’s our useful temperature guide to help you dress your baby safely for bed in different temperatures.

As you’ve probably gathered by now, a baby sleeping bag is a real essential. 

How to dress your baby in hot temperatures

• Take away any layers – one layer should be enough for your baby.

• Look for thinner fabrics like a thinner sleep bag or vest.

• During the day, make sure your baby’s head is covered, they’re kept out of direct sun and that they wear a pair of sunglasses if possible to avoid overheating.

How to dress your baby in cold temperatures

• Layer up with cotton layers, like a vest, sleep suit and sleep bag as heat will be trapped between these layers.

• In the day, make sure they are wearing mittens, gloves, hat if needed.

• Don’t forget about blankets on your daily walks.

How do I know if my baby is too hot?

To check if your baby is too hot, put your hand on the skin on their chest or the back of their neck.

Other signs your baby is too hot are:

• Damp hair

• Flushed cheeks

• Rapid breathing

• Heat rash

If your little one feels hot to touch, start by taking a layer off of them and check them again in 10 minutes. You can always open a window slightly to help air circulate, too. When checking to see how hot your baby is, remember not to check their hands or feet as these are often a lot cooler than the rest of their body.

Above all else use your intuition as a parent, if your baby feels too hot or too cold, either remove or add a layer and then re-check!