Temperature Control Throughout the Year

One of the first things many parents learn about their babies is the fact that, while their infants need to be kept snug inside cots, bassinettes, and baby bedding sets, they're also prone to overheating if kept too warm for too long. This leads to a great deal of paranoia for most parents. Truth is, there are several tactics you can use to prevent your baby from overheating.

Signs of an overheated baby include heat rash (a fine, prickly rash that resembles pimples), rapid breathing, and damp or clammy skin. If your baby feels feverish or is acting agitated, even in their sleep, try to remove some layers of clothing to cool them off. You might have to remove them from their baby bedding sets entirely and lay them in a ventilated play-yard for more comfort.

Keeping Baby Cool

You might think that keeping baby comfortable without overheating is more of an issue during the summer than the winter. In fact, the opposite is true. Parents tend to bundle their babies a little too snugly into their baby bedding sets during the colder months.

The number one best rule for preventing overheating is: layer your baby's clothing. Babies already sleep in comfortable, warm baby bedding sets, designed to keep them cozy. Layering more than one set of pyjamas should only be done in extreme circumstances, and babies should be monitored to make sure they're not overwhelmed by the warmth of both their baby bedding sets and their pyjamas. If you find the baby is starting to get a little too warm, it's easy enough to remove a layer of pyjamas (or, as stated previously, remove them from their baby bedding sets entirely) and allow them a bit more "breathing room".

You should also consider removing pieces of their baby bedding sets, such as crib bumpers or comforters. During the summer months, anything more than fitted sheets and light blankets for baby bedding sets is generally considered overkill. In the winter, you should adjust your baby bedding sets depending on the pyjamas your baby will be wearing that night, taking into consideration whether or not the baby's room will also be heated.

It may sound like a minor problem - and, for an adult, it really is - but an overheated baby is at serious risk. Their hearts beat faster, they have difficulty breathing, and they can actually die. If you feel uncomfortable or uncertain about your baby's warmth, undress them a bit and try to make them comfortable. Usually, removing some of the additional bedding from baby bedding sets will enhance circulation and relieve the "stuffy" feeling of too many blankets in the cot. It's better to know they might be a bit cold but safe than to worry they're too hot and potentially at risk.