Bringing a new baby home comes with many new challenges and considerations. From baby-proofing the stairs to covering electrical outlets, new parents have a long list of changes to make their home ideal for a baby.
One overlooked factor, however, is the temperature of the baby’s room. The heat in your home could contribute to poor health in your newborn; if the room is too warm, the baby could overheat in their sleep. Newborn overheating has tentative links to SIDS, the condition in which babies unexpectedly die in their sleep.
Read on to learn more about how to find the ideal temperature to keep your baby comfortable.
How to Determine the Best Baby Room Temperature
The best way to gauge the ideal conditions for your baby’s room is to use yourself as a tester. Adults typically sleep best in cooler rooms where they can be under blankets without getting so warm they sweat in their sleep.
However, blankets and other wraps may increase the risks of SIDS due to accidental strangulation when babies become tangled in the sheets.
Remember not to overdress your baby for sleep. To keep your baby comfortable, create an environment where your baby can feel warm wearing only a onesie or simple pajamas.
How to Maintain Your Baby’s Room Temperature
The thermostat in your home controls the temperature for the entire house, but many factors can affect the temperatures in individual rooms. Problems with ductwork and poor insulation can cause certain rooms to feel cooler or warmer than the rest of the house.
Getting an indoor thermometer can help you accurately determine the temperature inside your baby’s room. If the temperature is too high, opening windows or using fans can help make the room more comfortable. If the baby’s room is too cold, using a space heater can help warm up the space in the wintertime.
In an emergency situation where the power goes out, especially in the winter, it is vital to ensure the temperature of your baby’s room.
How to Tell if Your Baby Is Comfortable
After the effort put into maintaining the ideal temperature, it can be tough to tell whether your baby is comfortable or not.
If your baby is breathing heavily and sweating, even if the temperature feels comfortable to you, it may mean your baby is too warm. You can touch the back of your baby’s head to see if they feel overly warm or cold and adjust the room temperature if needed.
If you’re taking your baby in an RV, a camper, or a boat, you can always use an Xtreme Heater to warm the cabin. Then watch for these signs to ensure your baby is happy.
If you keep these aspects of temperature control in mind, you can ensure that your baby stays comfortable and sleeps soundly through the night.