How to Keep Your Baby Warm During the Winter and in Summer When the AC is On?

When visiting my clients after the birth of their baby, I see quite some babies who are not being properly dressed. I also see babies who don’t like to sleep on their own. Parents of a newborn often don’t realize their baby is actually cold. 

Babies need energy to grow
Newborn babies have difficulties regulating their body temperature. This can take weeks, so it’s important they are properly dressed. Babies lie still, they don’t move much. They shouldn’t need to use their energy to keep their little bodies warm. They need their energy to grow.

Signs your newborn is too cold When I visit my clients I often see, feel & hear:

• A house that is too cold (feel)
• A baby who is minimally dressed (see)
• Parents who are afraid of overheating their baby (hear)
• Parents who think the umbilical cord should be uncovered (hear)
• A baby that doesn’t want to sleep on his own (hear, see)

Safety first
I’m from the Netherlands and when my daughter was born 13 years ago, we used blankets in the baby’s bed. We also used a warm water bottle in the bassinet to keep the baby warm. Especially when the baby was born during wintertime.

Nowadays these things are no longer recommended. The bassinet has to be free of anything. So no blankets and no warm water bottle. Babies are on their back.

How to keep your baby just warm enough.
You could still use a warm water bottle or electric blanket to warm the bassinet before you put the baby down. For wintertime you can also use nice and warm micro fleece swaddles. They are available in sizes starting from 6-12 lb.
You can feel if your baby is overheated by checking your little one’s  neck (Is he sweating?), his back (Is it wet? or his temperature (Is he warm?).

Check your baby’s temperature
A baby’s normal temperature is between36.5°C & 37.5 °C (or 97.7 & 99.5 F). Above 38°C (or 100.4F)? Then your baby has a fever.

Set the thermostat to the right room temperature
Daytime room temperature should be 20-22°C or 68-71 F. During nighttime: 16-18°C or 60-64.4 F

Use layers. Wrap in blanket. Swaddle
If you wear layers, they should wear layers. If you wear 2 layers, they should wear 3 layers. Especially in the winter they should wear:

• A cotton onesie. It’s okay if that covers the umbilical cord because it can still breathe.
• A shirt with pants and socks or
• A suit/pajamas covering the feet
• The head is the biggest part of the body so babies should wear a hat to keep their head warm. Both inside and outside the house. Especially the first week when they are born.
• If you do skin to skin contact, wear a fleece jacket with a zipper and tuck him in or cover him with a nice warm blanket.
• When you are holding the baby, also wrap him in a blanket, for example (that’s the 3rd layer).
• Swaddling helps your baby keep his body temperature up.

The bottom line of keeping your baby warm

• Make sure your baby is properly dressed.
• Make sure the room temperature is pleasant for the baby
• Cover your baby with a blanket while holding him (babies do not move)
• Make sure the bassinet is nice & warm before putting your baby down.
• If your baby still doesn’t want to sleep on his own, a cotton baby carrier can be a lifesaver, but babies must have a certain weight.

Nathalie Grolleman is a certified Birth & Postpartum Doula CD/PCD (DONA)