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How To Swaddle Your Baby Without Overheating Them
Swaddling is a must-know skill for parents of newborns and young babies. It keeps them warm, secures them without always being held, and eases their startle reflex. But worrying about your baby's temperature when you swaddle them is one of the top concerns on most new parent's minds. Learning how to swaddle your baby without overheating them is an important skill to master, so you're not up at night worrying about your baby's temperature.
No matter what the temperature is outside, your baby can still get too hot or too cold very easily. According to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, a baby's ability to regulate their body temperatures is immature when they're small, so it's up to parents to ensure they stay warm (or cool) enough. Don't let it stress you out though, because there are plenty of easy ways to make sure your baby won't get too hot at night.
Swaddling is one of the oldest tricks in the book, and when applied safely and properly, can ensure your baby gets a full (or at least mostly full) night of sleep. And once you know the best tips for keeping them at an optimum temperature, you'll be able to rest easy too.
1Choose A Lightweight Blanket
Using a blanket that's specifically designed for swaddling is one of the best ways to make sure it's not too thick, which can be too warm for babies. A swaddle like the SwaddleMe ($19) from Amazon is lightweight and simple to use.
2Avoid Thick Pajamas
The blanket isn't the only thing you need to pay attention to. If you're planning to swaddle your baby, choose clothes underneath that are lightweight and breathable. If it's colder in their room or outside, make sure they're feet are covered as well, since the swaddle may not be enough to keep them totally warm.
3Set Their Room To A Cooler Temperature
According to New Kid's Health Center, your house should be at different temperatures at different times of the year. But in the colder months, keeping your house set between 68 to 74 degrees will be a comfortable temperature for your baby.
4Check The Back Of Their Neck Or Back
When you lie your baby down in a swaddle, it's hard to tell if they are really warm enough in there. Baby Center suggested feeling your baby's back or neck with a few fingers to make sure their temperature doesn't feel too high.
