Baby

What should baby wear to bed in summer?

Chris Gill July 09, 2020
Woman laughing with baby

If there’s one question every parent finds themselves asking when the temperature soars, it’s ‘what should baby wear to bed in summer?’ When the air-con’s cranked up, they worry their little one will get cold, so they layer them up in blankets and layers. If they don’t have AC, they worry bub will overheat.

We’re here to dispel the myths and make it easier for you to decide what your little one should be dressed in at night during the warmer months. Tip: It’s probably less than you think.

What should a newborn wear in summer?

Keep them cool

We all know the obsession many parents have with keeping their baby warm. From the moment they’re born we’re wrapping them up in a blanket. Not long after we’ve got them in a cosy onesie, beanie and booties.

But what many parents don’t realise when they're wondering 'how should I dress my baby in hot weather?' is that babies have a limited ability to regulate their own temperature, so it’s equally as significant to keep them cool in summer as it is to keep them warm in winter.

And we all know how hot an Aussie summer gets. So it’s no surprise, really, that the season leaves first-time mums and dads fretting over what they should or shouldn’t be dressing their little one in.

Less is more

Baby in crib

Heather Turgeon, co-author of The Happy Sleeper: The Science-backed Guide to Helping Your Baby Get a Good Night's Sleep-newborn to School Age, wrote for Babble that, "One of the most common missteps we see in sleep consultations is people overdressing their babies. There’s a misconception that warmer equals sleepier, but the opposite tends to be true..."

So, on those hot and sticky summer nights, we’d suggest simply dressing bub in a lightweight onesie made from bamboo for breathability. Lose the blanket — a baby doesn’t have the expectation of needing their legs and feet covered the way we do (although, many of us don’t actually mind the cover getting kicked off when nighttime stays up in the 30s!).

If it’s a cooler night, or when autumn starts to draw closer, add a Stretch Jersey Wrap to keep bub warm and cosy.

Let them breathe

Beanies and booties are adorable accessories for bub, and are perfect for cooler days. But professional advice recommends hats coming off at night, no matter the season, for safety reasons — headwear on babies in bed can be a choking hazard. In summer, you’ll also want to lose the booties so their feet can breathe.

When asking yourself ‘what should baby wear to bed in summer?’, breathability should be top of mind. Materials like bamboo are ideal, as it provides ventilation and pulls moisture away from the body, allowing the skin to breathe. Happy baby, happy family! Baby summer clothes and newborn summer clothes are key here.

Checking bub’s temperature

Just because your baby’s hands and feet feel cold, this isn’t always a good indication of his or her temperature. To really find out how hot or cold bub is, feel his or her back or tummy. If you use a sling or carrier, remember your baby will be warmed by your body heat as well as the wraps or clothing he or she is wearing.

So what about the temperature in your baby’s room? There’s no need to monitor it. A good rule of thumb is to look at the amount of clothing you’re wearing, then add another layer. If your baby’s room is too hot, use a plug-in fan to keep them comfy. Just make sure to keep it on the opposite side of the room.

When asking ourselves ‘what should baby wear to bed in summer?’, many of us are rightfully left in a bit of a muddle. There’s so much information out there about what’s right and wrong that we end up feeling more confused once we start reading.

Just remember, your baby probably needs to wear less to bed than you thought when the temperature climbs. If you’re too hot for layers and dooners, chances are bub feels the same.

Disclaimer: Although our advice comes from research and professional sources, we always recommend checking with a baby professional when in doubt to get a second opinion.

Baby wrapping

Baby wrapping

Can’t get bub to settle? Wrapping is a great way to help calm your little one for sleep, as well as ensuring they’re kept in the safe sleeping position on their back.

When wrapping baby for sleep in the summer months, make sure to use a lightweight fabric such as bamboo. Our muslin wraps are perfect for settling bub for sleep in both the warmer and cooler months — just make sure the wrap doesn't go above bub’s shoulders or cover their head, ears or chin.

It’s also important to ensure the wrap’s not too tight and that there’s enough room for your little one to stretch.

Important note: Babies can be wrapped from birth until they begin to show signs they’re able to roll onto their tummies. This is usually around four months but does differ.

You may also like

Baby

Shipping

For all of New Zealand Shipping Option Delivery Time Shipping Cost Standard Shipping for orders over NZ$70 4 - 11 Business Days Free Standard Shipping for orders under NZ$70 4 - 11 Business Days NZ$11.95 Express Shipping 2 - 4 Business Days NZ$21.95

How to swaddle a baby in a muslin wrap

Baby

How to swaddle a baby in a muslin wrap

Whether you’re asking yourself ‘what are muslin wraps used for?’, ‘how to swaddle a newborn’ or ‘when to stop swaddling baby’, we’re bringing you a step by step lowdown with pictures. What are muslin wraps used for? If you’re totally new to the muslin wraps game, don’t worry. Many of us have been there. And, while you might already know about swaddling a baby, what you might not realise is there are plenty of other ways to use muslin wraps in your little one’s early days. Feeding If you’re feeding while on the go, a muslin wrap is a great cover to stop bub getting distracted. Tuck the muslin into your bra strap and place the soft fabric across bub’s cheek to keep them safe and comfy. Note: Always ensure there’s an opening to allow fresh air to flow through. Burping Aside from swaddling, burping is one of the most popular uses for the muslin wrap. The soft, thick and absorbent fabric will make sure whatever you’re wearing stays clean when you pat your little bambino gently on the back. Teething Not everyone knows this, but a muslin wrap can even be used as a teether! How does that work, we hear you ask? Simple. Just freeze a small cube of breast milk, or boiled water if your bub is a bit older, wrap it in a muslin, twist the ends to hold in place and let your little teething tot chew away. Swaddling Last but not least, muslin wraps are used to swaddle baby to sleep. Muslin wraps tend to be light and flexible, so bub doesn’t overheat, and firm enough to allow your little one to feel comfy and safe. But how exactly do you swaddle with a muslin wrap? We take a look at how to swaddle with the best swaddling technique. How to swaddle a baby with a muslin wrap Ok, so it’s time to get down to some safe swaddling. First things first, you need to lay the muslin wrap out in a diamond shape. Once you’ve done this, fold the top corner down roughly a quarter. Then, place bub on the turned corner so that the corners of the muslin spread out from bub’s arms. Next, hold your little bambino's right arm down at their side. Pull the muslin over that arm, across the body. If bub is much smaller than the muslin, roll them to the side to smooth the rest of the muslin across the back. The muslin needs to be tight, but baby should still be able to bend their waist. Note: always make sure their hips are free to move. Hold down bub’s left arm before pulling the bottom corner up and tucking it under their left shoulder. Move the right corner over your little treasure's body before finally pulling it firm by placing them on their side and wrapping the excess around the back. The results? You’ll know when bub quickly falls asleep. So, what sort of swaddle products should you be looking for? Well, bamboo is the perfect fabric for swaddling as it’s ultra soft and durable. Our feather-light muslin wraps are crafted in 100% bamboo viscose, a fabric that features an open weave for ultimate breathability. Although delicate, these bamboo swaddles can stand up to all the required laundering, while their superior absorbency makes them an essential for all new parents. Or, as pictured above, you could use our Stretch Jersey Wrap as an alternative to the muslin wrap. Double it over, wrap, pull firm, and tuck the ends in well to trap even the squirmiest of kids. It works a charm for little Houdinis! But when is it time to stop swaddling? When to stop swaddling baby It’s important to note that you can stop swaddling your baby whenever you feel it’s best. While most people use swaddling during the newborn stage, before phasing it out around three or four months, it’s also common for babies to be swaddled when they’re six to nine months old. Most babies will begin to reject swaddling at a certain age, although not all. That said, the average age to stop swaddling bub is roughly three or four months. Newborns are born with the Moro reflex — a startle reflex — and most babies don’t outgrow it until they’re four or five months old. For this reason, be careful when stopping the swaddle too early. If your baby’s Moro reflex is still strong, they may startle themselves awake at night and during nap time. If your baby is able to break free of their swaddle, this doesn’t always mean that it’s time to stop swaddling. But if bub is persistently breaking free of their swaddle each night, it’s either time to stop swaddling or switch to a safer muslin wrap. Warning: Never allow babies to sleep face down. If your baby is rolling over onto their tummy while they sleep, it’s time to stop swaddling. Safety must always be top of mind when it comes to swaddling your baby! Although swaddling for sleep is generally all good, it’s important you don’t swaddle your little one all day long. Babies also need to move freely so they can develop their gross motor skills and become stronger. How to stop swaddling baby Some babies aren’t dependent on swaddling for comfort, making them much easier to stop the process. Other babies, however, can become very dependent on swaddling to help them sleep — making weaning them away from their cosy muslin wraps much harder. If your bub has become dependent on their swaddle to sleep, it’s probably time to stop! We recommend gradually easing your little one off their swaddle. Begin by leaving one arm or leg unswaddled, before moving on to both arms or legs. Before you know it, you’ll have reached a stage where your little bambino isn’t being swaddled at all. So, there you have it, newbie parents. It’s time to start swaddling!

How to cope with a new baby during COVID-19

Baby

How to cope with a new baby during COVID-19

Bringing your baby home from the hospital can be a surreal experience. There is a great deal of tears (from baby and parents), laughter, cooing, and chaos. But you don’t have to do it all by yourself – there are often family members and friends lining up to help you. At least, this was the case until 2020. With Victoria currently locked down and the threat of the second wave of the pandemic looming over the rest of Australia, isolation has become more important than ever. Of course, if you have a new baby at home, this can be easier said than done. In addition to handling your responsibilities as a new parent, you are also having to cope with the realities of parenting during COVID-19.  This can leave new parents feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. Even if you have older children (which brings with it different challenges such as what’s being posted across social media), the idea of bringing up younger children during a pandemic is enough to put pressure on any parent. If parenting during COVID-19 is something that you’re struggling to do, here are some top tips to help you out during this difficult time.  Make sure you’re splitting duties  Before the outbreak, it was easy to get help from willing family members and friends. At the very least, you had a grandparent or two willing to hold the baby while you took a shower or ran some errands. Unfortunately, this isn’t possible anymore – new parents are on their own. Needless to say, this can lead to you feeling overwhelmed, since you have to juggle quite a bit more. So, how can you cope in this instance? Here, it is all about the division of labour. You and your partner should be equally sharing responsibilities. This way, the work gets cut in half. Not to mention, you will have a lot more time to spend together as well.  Take care of yourself  Whether it is the demands of being a new parent or the worries regarding COVID-19, it can be easy to stop taking care of yourself. You may not eat proper meals or fail to exercise on a regular basis. Not only can these bad habits compromise your health, but it can also have a negative impact on your mental health.  So, start by planning out your meals a little better. Not in the mood to cook? Look for healthy foods that you can whip up quickly, maybe even without turning your stove on. Keep the processed foods to a minimum and load up on fruits and vegetables instead.  If you can get some fresh air and exercise, do try to manage this. Take the proper precautions to wear a mask and ensure that your baby is well-protected to. Carry hand sanitiser and check that no one comes to close to you and your little one. You should also exercise indoors as well. Take a portable bed or cot and keep your little one beside you. Then, workout as needed. It will make you feel a whole lot better.  Look for online healthcare support It is natural to freak out about how your baby is doing as a new parent. Every sneeze or too-long cry can seem suspicious. To ensure that your baby is in peak health, accumulate a number of online healthcare contacts. This could be a paediatrician, pediatric nurse, or even a doula.  Just have someone that you can call or message if you have any questions. This way, you will be able to put your mind at ease and take some of the stress out of being a new baby. Remember that if you have serious concerns, though, it is best to take your baby to a hospital.  Social distancing doesn’t mean an end to socialising  The main problem with isolating during the pandemic is the feelings of isolation that come along with it! This can increase when you have a new baby. After all, this was supposed to be a time for you to show off your little one to family members and friends. Thus, you may feel especially removed from those closest to you, particularly your parents. Well, just because you need to partake in social distancing doesn’t mean that the socialising has to come to a total stop. Use technology to keep you with the people in your life. This is particularly important for new grandparents. They can often feel like they are missing out and may feel rather down about it. Video calls on a regular basis, however, can make them feel more involved.  These calls can be detrimental for your sanity as well. Talking to people – especially ones that haven’t thrown up on you that day – can act as a stress reliever. You can voice concerns, talk about any issues you may be facing, or simply gossip!  These are all the ways that you can cope as a new parent during the pandemic. It will be tough, but this is definitely something that you will be able to manage and get through.  Written by Chathurika Kahavita