Keeping your baby cool: is your baby too hot to fall asleep?
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Is your baby too hot to fall asleep? We've got a few solutions for you!
There’s pros and cons to living in a country where it’s summer, all year round. On the bright side, we’re glad that we always have sunny weather (as opposed to the dreary, overcast skies that you’ll find in London and other parts of the world). On the other hand, you have to endure nights where you’re sweating profusely even after you’ve turned your fan or air conditioning up to its maximum.
If you’re a mother, you’ll also know the pain of getting your baby to fall asleep in hot weather. How can you prevent your baby from overheating, and ensure that he or she sleeps comfortably even when temperatures are high? Read on to find out!
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Firstly, you’ll need to understand that babies don’t perspire effectively, and as a result, they become overheated far more quickly than adults do. Also, even if your baby is sleeping soundly and not fussing, it doesn’t necessarily mean that all is good. Babies sleep more deeply when they’re hot, and according to Bruce Epstein, an M.D. and pediatrician from Florida, this may make them difficult to arouse, and increase the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), a fatal sleeping disorder.
How do you avoid the above and keep your baby safe and sound whilst he or she sleeps? Keep in mind the following tips:
#1: Dress down
We get it, your baby looks super cute in the baby cape and/or costume that your friends bought, but there’s a time and place for everything. Do not put your baby down for the night whilst he or she is dressed in a costume which is overly warm, and made with thick, unbreathable fabrics.
Instead, you should be putting your baby in loose-fitting, lightweight clothes. Try and go for items which are made from natural fibres (such as cotton) - these absorb perspiration more effectively than synthetic fabrics. For sleeping attire that’s tailored to Singapore’s weather, we recommend either a lightweight onesie, or a simple t-shirt and shorts combination.
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#2: Keep the environment well ventilated
This is fairly obvious - make sure the windows are open so that the breeze can come in, and also use a fan to circulate the air in the room. You definitely want to avoid having a stuffy room!
On a somewhat related note, many parents are conflicted about whether they should be leaving their babies to sleep in an air-conditioned room. If you’re considering this, here’s what you need to know:
Most experts agree that air conditioning is fine for your baby, as long as the thermostat isn’t set too low, and the air conditioner vent isn’t pointing directly at your baby. That having been said, there are several studies (including one published in the Oxford Journal) which links air conditioning to respiratory issues in babies. If you’d rather err on the side of caution and avoid the risk of your baby developing respiratory issues such as asthma, then stick with the fan for now.
#3: Check in on your baby
Chances are that your baby goes to sleep early at night, so you’ll be able to check in on him or her several times before you turn in yourself. You’re looking out for the following warning signs: a flushed face, a quickened heartbeat, and skin that is warm to the touch. If this happens, remove your baby’s clothing and dab a cold compress on your baby until he or she cools down.
#4: Use a cooling sleep bag
What’s a sleep bag, you ask?
It’s a sleeping bag which comes with special features which ensure that your baby gets a good night’s sleep.
This particular model shown above (the Inventa 0.5 TOG Sleep Bag) is recommended for babies who sleep in rooms with temperatures of 24 degrees and above. It comes with patented Genius Cooling Vents™ made out of mesh, which allow you to moderate your baby’s temperature during sleep time without them waking up. If your baby is too warm, simply open the zips on the front and back of the sleep bag to reveal the cooling mesh vents - this can be done without interrupting your baby’s sleep.
Don’t let your baby fall victim to overheating, or worse, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). By taking the necessary precautions and following the tips that we’ve outlined above, you’ll be able to make sure that your baby sleeps well and comfortably throughout the night.
(Credits)
Firstly, you’ll need to understand that babies don’t perspire effectively, and as a result, they become overheated far more quickly than adults do. Also, even if your baby is sleeping soundly and not fussing, it doesn’t necessarily mean that all is good. Babies sleep more deeply when they’re hot, and according to Bruce Epstein, an M.D. and pediatrician from Florida, this may make them difficult to arouse, and increase the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), a fatal sleeping disorder.
How do you avoid the above and keep your baby safe and sound whilst he or she sleeps? Keep in mind the following tips:
#1: Dress down
We get it, your baby looks super cute in the baby cape and/or costume that your friends bought, but there’s a time and place for everything. Do not put your baby down for the night whilst he or she is dressed in a costume which is overly warm, and made with thick, unbreathable fabrics.
Instead, you should be putting your baby in loose-fitting, lightweight clothes. Try and go for items which are made from natural fibres (such as cotton) - these absorb perspiration more effectively than synthetic fabrics. For sleeping attire that’s tailored to Singapore’s weather, we recommend either a lightweight onesie, or a simple t-shirt and shorts combination.
(Credits)
#2: Keep the environment well ventilated
This is fairly obvious - make sure the windows are open so that the breeze can come in, and also use a fan to circulate the air in the room. You definitely want to avoid having a stuffy room!
On a somewhat related note, many parents are conflicted about whether they should be leaving their babies to sleep in an air-conditioned room. If you’re considering this, here’s what you need to know:
Most experts agree that air conditioning is fine for your baby, as long as the thermostat isn’t set too low, and the air conditioner vent isn’t pointing directly at your baby. That having been said, there are several studies (including one published in the Oxford Journal) which links air conditioning to respiratory issues in babies. If you’d rather err on the side of caution and avoid the risk of your baby developing respiratory issues such as asthma, then stick with the fan for now.
#3: Check in on your baby
Chances are that your baby goes to sleep early at night, so you’ll be able to check in on him or her several times before you turn in yourself. You’re looking out for the following warning signs: a flushed face, a quickened heartbeat, and skin that is warm to the touch. If this happens, remove your baby’s clothing and dab a cold compress on your baby until he or she cools down.
#4: Use a cooling sleep bag
What’s a sleep bag, you ask?
It’s a sleeping bag which comes with special features which ensure that your baby gets a good night’s sleep.
This particular model shown above (the Inventa 0.5 TOG Sleep Bag) is recommended for babies who sleep in rooms with temperatures of 24 degrees and above. It comes with patented Genius Cooling Vents™ made out of mesh, which allow you to moderate your baby’s temperature during sleep time without them waking up. If your baby is too warm, simply open the zips on the front and back of the sleep bag to reveal the cooling mesh vents - this can be done without interrupting your baby’s sleep.
Don’t let your baby fall victim to overheating, or worse, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). By taking the necessary precautions and following the tips that we’ve outlined above, you’ll be able to make sure that your baby sleeps well and comfortably throughout the night.