How to dress a baby for sleep (all year round)

Dressing your baby for sleep can sometimes feel like a puzzle, especially when trying to balance comfort and safety. It’s not just about keeping them cosy—overheating can be a real concern, so finding that perfect middle ground between warmth and breathability is important.

Getting your little one snug, but not too warm, is key. So, let’s look at the main things to remember when dressing your baby for a peaceful night’s sleep.

When dressing your baby for sleep, it’s key to strike the right balance between comfort and safety.

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Dressing your baby for sleep across seasons

1. Summer: Keep it Light and Breezy

During the summer months, those warm nights call for a lighter approach to dressing your baby for sleep. With temperatures climbing above 24°C, preventing overheating is key, so it’s best to keep things minimal and breathable.

A simple short-sleeve bodysuit or even just a nappy might be all your baby needs to stay comfy in the heat. Less really is more when the room is warm, as it helps your little one stay cool without unnecessary layers that could cause discomfort.

If you feel an extra layer is needed, try a 0.5 TOG Clever Sleeping Bag. It's light and breathable, offering just a hint of warmth without trapping heat, so your baby can stay cosy without overheating during those warmer nights.

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2. Spring & Autumn: Layer Up for Flexibility

The weather can be quite unpredictable during spring and autumn, so it’s important to layer your baby’s sleepwear to keep them comfortable all night long. Room temperatures typically range between 15 °C and 21°C, so it’s best to be ready for any changes in warmth.

Start with a good base layer, like the MORI Long Sleeve Bodysuit, made from soft, breathable bamboo fabric. It’s gentle on your baby’s skin and provides just the right amount of warmth without the risk of overheating, which is ideal for those cooler evenings.

Layer the bodysuit with a 1.5 TOG Clever Sleeping Bag for extra comfort and flexibility. This lightweight sleeping bag helps keep your baby at a cosy, consistent temperature, even as the room temperature shifts overnight.

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3. Winter: Layer Up for Warmth

During colder nights, you’ll want to layer up a bit more to keep your baby warm and comfortable. When room temperatures fall below 20°C, it’s important to dress your little one in layers that provide warmth without restricting their movement.

Start with a cosy base layer, like the MORI Long Sleeve Bodysuit or a footed sleepsuit, both made from warm yet breathable fabrics. These pieces offer the perfect balance of warmth and airflow, helping to prevent overheating while keeping your baby snug.

For added warmth, pop them into a 2.5 TOG Clever Sleeping Bag, which gives that extra layer of cosiness. If it gets even chillier, you can easily add a sleep shirt or another layer on top of the bodysuit to make sure your baby stays toasty throughout the night.

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4. Transitioning Between Seasons: Stay Adaptable

In those in-between seasons like late spring to early summer or late autumn to early winter, temperatures can be a bit unpredictable, so it’s important to dress your baby in flexible layers. With room temperatures ranging from 15-24°C, aim to keep your little one comfortable without the risk of overheating or being underdressed.

Start with a Long Sleeve Bodysuit, which offers gentle warmth while staying breathable. Pair this with a 1.5 TOG Clever Sleeping Bag, giving you a versatile layer that works perfectly for fluctuating temperatures. This combo will keep your baby snug, even if the temperature changes during the night.

For quick adjustments, it’s handy to keep a lightweight blanket or extra layer nearby. If the room cools down, you can easily add a layer without needing to completely redress your baby, ensuring they stay comfortable all night long.

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Dressing your baby for sleep at every age

How to dress newborns for sleep

The Newborn Swaddle Bag, combined with a Long Sleeve Bodysuit, helps your baby feel snug and secure, perfect for those early days.

As your baby grows and wiggles more, transitioning to a sleepsuit and a sleeping bag like the Clever Sleeping Bag gives them more freedom to move around while staying comfortably warm. It’s all about keeping them snug without restricting their natural movements!

How to dress older babies for sleep

As your baby becomes more mobile, fewer layers tend to work best. A long-sleeve onesie or footed sleepsuit paired with a sleeping bag is usually all you need.

The bamboo zip-up sleepsuit, combined with the MORI 1.5 TOG Clever Sleeping Bag, perfectly balances warmth and freedom of movement for most temperatures.

The great thing about this combo is that the sleeping bag's secure design means your baby can’t kick it off during the night—ideal for active little ones who love to wriggle around in their sleep! It keeps them cosy and comfy without needing constant adjustments.

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Safety Tips for Dressing Your Baby for Sleep

While keeping your baby comfortable is important, safety always comes first. Overheating is a known risk factor for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), so it’s crucial to dress your little one appropriately for sleep. Here are a few tips to help:

1. Check the room temperature – Aim for a room temperature between 16-20°C, which is considered the safest range for babies.

2. Dress in light layers – Use breathable, natural fabrics like cotton or bamboo, and avoid heavy layers that could trap heat.

3. Use a sleeping bag instead of blankets – sleeping bags are a great way to keep your baby warm without the risk of loose blankets that could cover their face.

4. Feel their neck, not their hands or feet – To check if your baby is too warm, feel the back of their neck. Hands and feet can often feel cooler, so they’re not the best indicators.

5. Avoid hats indoors - Babies lose heat through their heads, so they should avoid wearing hats when indoors to help regulate their body temperature.

6. Keep the cot clear - Remove pillows, soft toys, and any other loose items from the cot. A fitted sheet and a sleeping bag are all your baby needs.

Lay baby on their back: Always place your baby on their back to sleep, as recommended by the NHS and other health experts. This is the safest sleeping position for your little one.

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