Ways to Help Your Baby Settle to Sleep

Getting a baby ready for bedtime can be considered a simple process only after you know all the do’s and don’ts by heart already. The environment as much as what the baby is wearing while sleeping play a major role in ensuring comfort and safety. So, let’s look a bit more closely how all of it is done.

First of all, you should try to maintain a constant room temperature. It is widely known that 20-22°C is the optimal room temperature for a baby. Also, you should always check your baby’s body temperature. A healthy baby should have a temperature between 36 and 37.9°C. That being said, you should dress the baby accordingly to reduce the chances of discomfort or overheating. Take a look at the picture below for reference.

As you can see, the tog rating of the baby sleeping bag matters a lot regarding which one you ought to choose. A tog is a unit of measurement used to calculate the thermal resistance or warmth of a product. If it is used in winter conditions, you are going to need a sleeping bag with 3.5 tog rating. The standard rating for a sleeping bag is 2.5 togs and it is usually used all year round. If you are looking for one to use during summer, you should choose a 0.5 tog rating since it is made of a lighter material.

In addition to this, you can choose among the different types of sleeping bags.

Swaddle sacks provide versatility – they have a bottom which is a simple baby sleeping bag design. They are designed for acheiving comfortable swaddle position and can be used to hold the arms down snugly. The central part is usually secured with a zipper.

Grobags have short sleeves (even though there are some models that have long sleeves). They thoroughly cover your baby’s legs but still allow for free movement.

Split leg sleep sacks are like your average footed sleeper, but are made of a bulkier material. The split leg design allows for more movement. It is the perfect sleeping bag for your growing baby.

Another important aspect to consider is the size of the baby sleeping bag. If the bag you choose is either smaller or bigger, your baby won’t be able to sleep comfortably. Take a look at the picture below for reference.

For extra safety, you’ll also need to consider the things you shouldn’t do. For instance, for babies under 12 months, you ought to be careful not to put heavy blankets, hats, beanies or thick crib bumpers in the crib because of the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. Also, you should always put your baby down in the crib on their back, not sideways or on stomach. The baby’s face and head should be uncovered for the simple reason of not suffocating. Moreover, a smoke free environment is a must so your baby can grow healthily.

Once you’ve taken care of all of these tips and precautions, you are ready to snuggle your baby for the night. Night, night baby! Sleep tight!