Newborns can't automatically regulate their body temperature upon being birthed, they rely on their parents and their environment. While other parents focus on keeping their babies covered up so they can heat up, others overdo it. Most parents do not know how room temperature affects their newborns and, therefore, most of them normally find it hard to put their babies to bed or calm their baby during their awake time.

Properly regulating the temperature of their environment can aid in the quality and length of a baby's sleep and their overall holistic development. Which is why it is with much importance that parents understand multiple factors that can affect their baby's sleep. 

Why Does Room Temperature Matters for Newborn Sleep

Babies can get too hot or cold easily, and a change in the environment's temperature can cause them to get fussy and irritable. When babies wake up at night crying, we don't think that it's about the temperature right away, we consider a lot of things, but we often overlook temperature. Now, the "just right" temperature for them ranges from 20°C to 22°C, it's not too hot or too cold.

When the baby is awake, equipment such as a nursing pillow for tummy time can be used to keep them comfortable since babies feel hot if they are always lying on their back. Keeping your child comfortable during their wakeful times can be an element that contributes to whether your baby will sleep well at night.

Avoiding Overheating Your Babies: What You Shouldn't Do

Overheating can be problematic and turn into a critical issue, particularly for newborns. As parents always sense that their babies are pretty cold, they dress them up too much or in thick blankets, which may even cause more harm than good.

Here are some helpful tips to get started with making your child more comfortable:

• Using cotton pajamas is a good place to start; they are more breathable and softer than other types of garments.
• Babies release most of their body heat through their heads, which is why wearing hats and beanies indoors isn't the best idea.
• Sleep sacks or blankets are more advisable to use than a loose blanket.

Aside from their head, babies release heat and sweat more around the area on the back of their necks. Often check this area if they are sweaty, as it could be a sign of overheating.

A parent knowing these things can assist in keeping their child comfortable. Dressing is important in keeping a child comfortable and regulating their temperature. A comfortable baby is more easily put to bed and would have longer sleep than those that are not comfortable with their clothing and their environment.

Signs That Your Baby May Be Too Hot or Too Cold

Babies do not communicate in words but talk to us in cues and sounds. These inform us if they are comfortable or not.

These are some signs your baby may be too warm:

• Red skin or flushed cheeks
• Damp hair or sweaty neck
• Heat Rash
• Fast Breathing

Now, here are some signs that your baby might be too cold:

• Pale or blotchy skin
• Cold hands and feet (maybe normal for some newborns, but check their chest or tummy for a better reading)
• Fussiness that winds down when held or warmed

When a baby is sleeping within the ideal sleeping temperature for newborns, they have a warm but not too hot skin, visible relaxed posture and a calm breathing pattern.

Helpful Tips for Adjusting the Nursery Based on Season

Your baby's sleeping area will only need a slight change or adjustments as each season changes to maintain the ideal sleeping temperature for newborns all year round.

During summertime:

• Dress your baby in single-layer or lighter clothing
• Keep the blinds or curtains closed during the day to help block heat.
• Use a fan, avoid pointing it directly at the baby, just to circulate the air

During winter:

• Check for drafts near the crib
• Avoid placing heaters too close to the crib; it is advisable to use central heating or a safer, room-wide solution.
• Dress your baby in a warm sleep sack or footed pajamas.

When you're having the baby eat or simply staying in the nursery, you can use your nursing pillow for floor tummy time. It's useful during the colder months because you can have your baby positioned away from cold breezes but have that support in their body and neck.

Tools That Can Help: Thermometers, Fans, and Monitors

Technology makes our lives easier overall, but this can also help in maintaining the ideal sleeping temperature for our newborns so much easier. Things like room thermometers, fans, humidifiers and smart baby monitors are a few. But you don't really need expensive gadgets to keep your baby warm and safe, but a good reliable room thermometer goes a long way in making quick adjustments.

Conclusion

The room where your baby would be spending his/her resting time should be the most comfortable room for them. Keeping the ideal sleeping temperature for newborns is the simplest but most important part of making them comfortable alongside dressing them appropriately, and watching for any sign of discomfort, you can greatly improve the quality of their rest.

Remember that comfort doesn't only apply to when your baby is sleeping. Helpful tools like a nursing pillow for tummy time can improve your baby's comfortability in their wakeful hours, supporting their physical development while keeping them cozy.

The same goal is that of every parent: a happy, well-rested and safe baby. This is why we learn all about their needs, what tools they utilize and adapt to what works best for us and our babies. When we become more aware of these needs and be more knowledgeable about what we could do for them, we give them the best life we can, helping them thrive day and night.