Keeping your baby warm in Winter: Our 2024 Guide

Striking the balance between ensuring your baby is warm and cosy in winter without posing the risk of overheating can be tough, especially for new parents. But from clothing to bedding to ideal room temperatures, our 2024 winter guide lists the top tips and essential products that will help keep your baby warm in the chillier months, while always putting their comfort and wellbeing first.

Newborn babies are not able to regulate their body temperatures as easily as adults can, so it is important to dress them in breathable layers of clothing to ensure that they are warm enough without the risk of overheating.

• Singlets and bodysuits are great for base layers.
• Zip onesies are super convenient to go on top as they allow quick and easy access for nappy changes. Onesies often come with foldable mittens and socks, but you can also buy these as separates and use as necessary in particularly cold rooms or for the outdoors.
• Add cardigans, jumpers, and/or leggings when the weather is very cold. The great thing about layering is that you can quickly add or take away items of clothing as the temperature fluctuates throughout the day.
• Beanies are very handy for outdoor winter adventures but are not recommended for overnight sleeping or the indoors in general. This is because babies cool themselves down by releasing heat from their heads and faces. Impeding on this process, particularly during sleep, can lead to rapid overheating which is extremely dangerous for babies.

In addition to comfortable layers of a singlet and onesie, your baby will need bed clothes in order to stay warm throughout the night. We love the Ergopouch Cocoon Swaddle Bags because not only do they have a wide range of TOG ratings and are made with certified organic cotton, but they also come with a handy room thermometer and a what to wear guide. So, you will never have to guess what to dress baby in underneath! The warmer TOG rated bags eliminate the need for additional blankets, which make them a very safe sleepwear option for young babies.

If you choose to use more traditional swaddles instead, tuck sheets and baby blankets can help provide additional warmth overnight. Just make sure blankets are tucked securely into the mattress and do not rise any higher than baby’s chest.

Breathable blankets are also essential for winter walks in the pram or buggy. Even though it may be cold outside, it is still incredibly important to get daily fresh air. Your best bet is to rug up with blankies and layers of warm clothing so you and baby can be comfortably warm while enjoying the crisp winter days! Once again, continue to ensure that any loose coverings are securely tucked around baby and never cover their head or face.

Many experts say that the ideal room temperature for a baby is in the range of 16-20 degrees Celsius. However, Red Nose Australia (considered to be the country’s leading authority on safe sleep) does not recommend a specific room temperature for healthy babies. Rather, it is their recommendation to appropriately dress baby for the natural room temperature, ideally with well fitted sleep bags as opposed to bedclothes.

A reliable room thermometer can still come in handy for peace of mind overnight, as it will allow you to keep an eye on the temperature and add or remove layers from your baby as necessary.

A quick and easy way to check a baby’s body temperature is to feel their tummy or back. It should feel warm to the touch, and it is perfectly normal for their hands, feet, face, and head to feel cooler. This is because a baby’s circulation is not as efficient as an adult’s, and again, they use their head and face to release excess heat from their bodies.

Your baby may be too cold if:

• Their tummy and/or back is cool to the touch
• Their hands, feet or face are much paler or harder than the rest of their body
• Their hands, feet or face are red and very cold in comparison to the rest of their body
• They are shivering

If your baby becomes too cold, it is important to get inside as soon as possible if you have been outdoors. Resist the impulse to rub their skin, as it may cause damage in the case of low body temperature. Instead, you can hold them close, provide skin to skin contact, or use warm wash cloths to bring their body back up to a safe, regulated temperature. If using the latter method, ensure baby has been fully patted dry before dressing them in fresh clothing.

Your baby may be too warm if:

• Their face is flushed and sweaty
• Their hair and/or the back of their neck is damp
• They develop a red, bumpy rash (typically known as ‘heat rash’)
• Their tummy and/or back is very warm to the touch

Again, layers of clothing come in handy if your baby becomes too warm, because they can be removed quickly and easily, allowing them to quickly regulate back to a safe body temperature.

From clothing, to swaddles/sleeping bags, to blankets, we have all the essentials to keep your precious little ones nice and cosy this winter. And with free shipping Australia wide on all orders over $100, as well as multiple payment options including PayPal and Afterpay, it has never been easier to prepare for the cold months ahead. Our team are always on hand to answer any questions you may have. Simply contact us with your query and we will get back to you as soon as possible.