When it comes to dressing your baby, many questions may arise. But do not worry, the answers are much simpler than you may think. The important things to keep in mind are that you should handle them with care, and that the clothes should be warm enough, comfortable and made with a fabric that is gentle on their skin.
How should I dress my baby?
Picture this, you have just arrived from the hospital with your baby. You are settling in, putting things into place, then a sudden realisation hits you and your partner. It is all up to you now. You are no longer at the hospital with the assistance of midwives, nurses and doctors at hand. It is time to change your baby into fresh clothes, what do you do? It is always helpful to start by taking a deep breath, you got his. When dressing your baby, have in mind:
- Prepare anything you may need before starting to dress your baby
- Gently place them on a soft surface
- Make sure you are supporting their head properly
- Stretch the neckline before pulling it over their head
- Carefully pull their arms through the sleeves, do it slowly with no rush
- Most important of all, do not leave your baby unattended while changing them.
How should I dress my baby for sleep?
As a new parent, you do not get to sleep as much as you used to. You have already learned by now that you will sleep as much as your baby does. Your baby will sleep better if the temperature is right for them. Clothes alone should be responsible for keeping your baby warm, there should be no need for blankets.
- Dress your baby in layers, that way you can add or remove items as you feel the temperature requires.
- Your baby should not wear a hat to bed. Hats can put your baby at risk of choking and even suffocating. But most of all, babies release heat from their heads, they can easily overheat when they sleep wearing a hat.
- If you still believe you need to add a blanket, make sure to attach it to the mattress so there’s no risk for it to move over the child’s face during sleep.
How will I know if my baby is too hot or too cold?
Is there a way to know if your baby is wearing enough layers? Can you tell when they are feeling cold? It will take a couple of years for your baby to start telling you when the temperature is uncomfortable for them, and since you cannot rely on words, you can feel it. The temperature on their hands and feet is not a good representation of it, you can instead feel their neck to get their real temperature.
When dressing your baby, remember to always favour function (and comfort) over fit. Your baby should feel comfortable, warm and safe.
References:
- Dressing babies for bed. (2020b, June 4). Raising Children Network.
- Dressing a newborn. (2020, December 9). Raising Children Network.
- Tips for Dressing Your Baby. (2016, June 17). HealthyChildren.Org.