To add or take off a blanket... to use blankets or a sleeping bag... just how much bedding should your baby have on their bed? And how do you tell if your baby is the right temperature?
It's a tricky thing to get right, as too much bedding can cause over-heating (a risk factor for SIDS) and too little bedding means your baby wakes from the cold! Plus add in the complication that there are definitely 'warm' babies who feel the heat more and get sweaty more easily.
What type of bedding should I use for my baby?
If you're a first-time parent or even a second or third-timer, knowing what to sleep your baby in can be confusing. Whilst most would assume blankets and sheets, just like an adult bed, this may not be the safest option for a baby. However, it doesn't mean you can't use them.
The American Academy of Pediatrics and Red Nose Australia recommend a wearable blanket or sleeping bag for little babies. Using heavy blankets in particular, or duvets, can lead to suffocation and increase the risk of SUDI if the blanket rides up over baby's face or baby becomes entangled in it. Using a properly fitting sleeping bag ensures your baby stays warm all night and can't get caught up amongst any loose blankets or bedding.
If I don't use a sleeping bag, what type of bedding should I use?
If you're going to be swaddling your baby, choose wraps that are 100% natural fibre — either cotton, merino, muslin or bamboo. Do not use a swaddling wrap that's lined with fleece when your baby is asleep, as your baby is too small to regulate their own temperature and can easily get too hot inside tight fitting fleece. Overheating is another risk factor for SUDI, so it's important to be aware of the fibres you're dressing baby in and how many layers they're wearing. If you find baby is getting cold at night you could add an extra blanket over the swaddle, ensuring it's firmly tucked in under the mattress and no higher than baby's chest.
Once you are no longer swaddling, we recommend using a sleeping bag rather than traditional bedding. This means there is no loose bedding for baby to slip underneath and it is easier to keep your baby at a consistent temperature all night as a sleeping bag can't be kicked off. A sleeping bag can also be more cost effective if you choose the right style and size as you won't need so many sheets and blankets.
If you do want to stick with traditional bedding (sheets and blankets) for your baby, we strongly recommend you only use natural fibre bedding (merino or cotton) on your baby's bed. Babies are not able to regulate their own temperature and in particular, merino wool has been found to be the best option for baby's bedding due to its breathability and ability to wick moisture away.
For newborns, choose cotton or wool blankets, and 100% cotton or muslin sheets. Look for light layers so you can easily add additional layers if baby feels cold, rather than a heavy single blanket. Heavy blankets can increase the risk of SUDI if they come up over baby's head.
Choose blankets which will fit the size of the co-sleeper or cot you are using, ensuring you can securely tuck them into the side of the mattress. Read how to make up your baby's bed safely. We also recommend you place baby with their feet right at the end of the cot to stop baby from wriggling down the bed. It's also a good idea to choose machine washable bedding!
We don't recommend you use duvets inside your baby's cot until they are over 1 year old. Duvets are easy for baby to pull over their face, not designed to be tucked in securely so that baby can't slip down underneath. Duvets are also often made from synthetic material which can cause overheating. Resist the temptation to buy a cute matching duvet and bumper set for your newborn — they are just not a safe option until at least 1 year old!
