Safer sleep in winter
Winter can be a challenging time for families. With the cost of living crisis and worries about heating our homes, it’s understandable to worry about keeping your baby warm. The recommended room temperature for a baby’s sleep space is 16 – 20°C. This can be harder to maintain when it’s cold outside.
While it can be tempting to wrap your baby up to keep them warm and cosy, it’s important to remember that it’s possible for them to overheat, and this increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). In fact, research has shown that babies are safer when they’re a little bit cooler, rather than too hot.
Use these guidelines for safer sleep for your baby in winter.
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Bedding for cots and Moses baskets
- Sleep your baby in the feet-to-foot position, with their feet right at the bottom of the cot, so they can’t wriggle down under the bedding. Tuck in sheets and blankets securely and make sure they’re no higher than your baby’s shoulders. This helps avoid your baby’s head getting covered by loose bedding.
- Go for lightweight sheets or blankets, if you use them, and avoid thick, fleecy or padded blankets or duvets. If you think your baby is cold, add an extra lightweight blanket or layer of clothing.
- If you’re using a baby sleeping bag, don’t add extra blankets on top. Add an extra layer of clothing or choose a higher tog sleeping bag if you feel the sleeping bag is not enough. You can choose different togs for different seasons to help keep your baby at the right temperature. Make sure the sleeping bag is well fitted, so the baby can’t wriggle down inside. Most are fitted by weight, not age, so always check the manufacturer’s guidelines.
- Remove hats indoors. Babies lose heat through their heads, so if their heads are covered, the baby can overheat. Take off any hats when your baby is indoors.
Bedding and bedsharing
The safest place for a baby to sleep is in their own clear, flat, separate sleep space, such as a cot or Moses basket. However, many parents find themselves bedsharing, sometimes without meaning to, so follow these guidelines to make your bed a safer place for baby to fall asleep.
- Keep all adult bedding away from the baby as it could cover their heads or face and block their breathing, or cause overheating. Keep the bedding at your own waist height, and put on extra clothes if you get cold. Don’t put your baby under adult bedding to keep them warm, even though it seems cosy. Many infants who die from SIDS are found with their head covered by loose bedding.
- A baby sleeping bag is a safer option if you choose to bedshare. As there is no loose fabric that could cover their face.
- Remember your body heat will make the bed warmer. Adjust the bedding or your baby’s clothing so they don’t get too hot.
- Never fall asleep on a sofa or armchair with your baby. This can increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) by 50 times, so if you feel like you might drift off, place your baby on a firm, flat sleep surface first.
Follow all our other safer sleep advice for bedsharing
Put babies on their back for every sleep, day or night. They should be in a flat, sleep space with a firm mattress, clear of items such as toys. This will help reduce the risk of SIDS.
When to avoid bed sharing completely
There are some circumstances that make bedsharing very dangerous. Never bedshare with your baby if:
- You or anyone in the bed smokes or the baby was exposed to smoking in pregnancy.
- Either you or anyone in the bed has drunk alcohol or taken drugs or medicines (including medications that may make you drowsy).
- Your baby was born premature (before 37 weeks).
- Your baby was born at a low weight (2.5kg or 5.5 pounds or less).
It’s best to have another adult on hand to help with baby if you’re not well, have drunk alcohol or taken drugs or medicines that make you less aware than normal.
What we don't recommend
Avoid the following in your baby’s sleep space to lower the risk of accidents and overheating.
Hot water bottles – Don’t use hot water bottles in any baby sleep space (cot, crib, Moses basket or adult bed) as they can make your baby too hot.
Weighted blankets – Weighted swaddles, blankets and sleeping bags are not recommended for babies under 1 year as there is a risk of overheating and head covering.
Sleeping in hats, hoods or outdoor clothing – Babies lose heat though their heads, so remove your baby’s hats or hoods when indoors or in a car so they don’t get too hot. When they’re sleeping indoors, remove any outdoor clothes.
Placing baby’s cot near a radiator – Make sure your baby’s cot is away from any radiators and other heat sources. If you’re using another heat source like a portable heater, direct it away from your baby. Babies can’t regulate their own temperature so they could get too hot.
Cot bumpers – Cot bumpers can pose the risk of accidents to babies and toddlers. Some infants have become tangled in the ties and material, or fallen after pulling themselves up on the bumpers. While they might seem cosy, they come with a risk, so we don’t recommend them.
How can I check if my baby is too hot?
We recommend checking your baby’s chest or the back of their neck to check their temperature. It’s fine if they feel warm, but if they are sweaty or clammy it means they are too hot, so remove a layer of bedding or clothing. Their hands and feet will always feel cold, so check their chest and back instead.
If your baby is unwell
Always seek medical advice if you are worried about your baby. We have a Baby Check app which lets you know if your baby needs to see a doctor or other health professional. The app features 17 simple checks to do if your baby has symptoms, then works out a score to let you know if it’s time to seek help. Learn more about the Baby Check app.
You can also see our advice on how to help prevent infections in babies, and the signs and symptoms to look out for.
Trust your instincts and if you are very worried, dial NHS 111 or 999, or visit an emergency department.
Frequently asked questions
If you’re worried about how you will pay your bills or buy food, do seek help as there are organisations who are there to support you.
- National debt helpline. They have a team of expert debt advisers who will help you to take control of your debts.
- Stepchange. Stepchange support people to become debt free and can guide you if you need help with energy bills.
- Trussell. Trussell are an anti-poverty charity and community of food banks. They provide food and practical support to people left without enough money to live on.
- There may also be local initiatives or community groups near you who can help with clothing and equipment for babies, such as Baby Banks. Others may help with school uniform for older children.
The recommended room temperature for a baby’s sleep space is 16 – 20°C. A baby sleep bag or a lightweight sheet/blanket should be all you need for your baby.
Research shows that babies are safer being cooler than being too hot, as overheating increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Don’t be tempted to overwrap your baby. But if your room temperature is slightly colder than 16 – 20°C, consider:
- If you use lightweight sheets and/or blankets, add an extra lightweight blanket or layer of clothing to your baby.
- If you are using a baby sleeping bag, add an extra layer of clothing. Or, choose a sleeping bag with a higher tog.
Remember
As it gets colder outside, you will want to keep your baby warm without overheating. The ideal room temperature is 16 – 20°C. Use lightweight bedding or a baby sleeping bag for winter, remove hats and outdoor clothes, and follow safer sleep advice.
While it’s tempting to bundle them up so they’re snuggly, it’s possible for babies to overheat and it’s better to be a little cold rather than too hot. Check their chest or the back of their neck so you can be confident they’re a comfortable temperature so you can all have a safe night’s sleep.
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