How to Cover a Newborn Baby at Night

Co-authored by Deanna Dawson-Jesus, CD (DONA)

Last Updated: March 17, 2021

Having a newborn baby is both a challenging and exciting season of life. In order to keep your baby warm and safe at night, it is important to choose the right bedding and clothing. Dress your baby in 1 layer of clothing and then wrap them in a swaddle or place them in a baby sleeping bag. To keep your baby’s airway free, avoid having any blankets, pillows, and hats in the cot. This helps to keep them safe and prevents overheating.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Choosing Appropriate Layers

1
Dress your baby in 1 layer of clothing. Babies can quickly overheat, so it is important to dress them lightly.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Deanna Dawson-Jesus, CD (DONA)
Birth & Postpartum Doula, Childbirth, & Lactation Educator
Expert Interview. 31 July 2020.} Choose just 1 layer of clothing to dress your baby in, such as a 1-piece sleeping suit or a pair of pyjamas. If possible, choose a naturally breathable fabric such as cotton, linen, or wool.^{[2]
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- Check the label of clothing items to determine the fabric.
- If it’s a cold night, choose a light but warm layer, such as merino wool.
2
Place your baby in a swaddle if they wriggle a lot.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Deanna Dawson-Jesus, CD (DONA)
Birth & Postpartum Doula, Childbirth, & Lactation Educator
Expert Interview. 31 July 2020.} Swaddle your baby in a swaddle blanket to add extra warmth and to help them to feel calm. Whilst you shouldn’t place regular blankets over a newborn, it is fine to wrap them in a swaddle blanket, as this can’t end up over their face.^{[4]
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- A swaddle is a piece of fabric that you can wrap around your baby.
- You can make swaddle blankets yourself or buy them from a store.
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3
Dress your baby in a baby sleeping bag if it's cold. If the air feels cold to you, it will likely feel the same to your baby. Place your baby inside a baby sleeping bag, position their arms inside the armholes, and then do up the zip or buttons.^{[5]
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National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
Go to source}
- These also help to promote uninterrupted sleep.
- Never use an adult or child sleeping bag. It is important to choose a purpose-made baby sleeping bag to keep your newborn safe in bed.
4
Remove a layer if your baby is sweating. Each time you check your baby, feel their skin to monitor their temperature. If they feel hot to touch or are sweating, remove 1 layer of fabric to help cool them down. This is important, as newborn babies can’t monitor their own temperature very well.^{[6]
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National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
Go to source}
- For example, if your baby is sweating, remove their swaddle or sleeping bag. Only remove 1 layer at a time to ensure that your baby doesn’t get cold.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Keeping Safe

1
Avoid sheets, quilts, duvets, pillows, and blankets. Whilst it is natural to want to put these items in your baby’s cot, they have the potential to suffocate your baby during the night. As a result, it is best to leave these bedding items out of the cot completely and to rely on the baby’s clothing and swaddle or sleeping bag to keep them warm.^{[7]
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- Keep these accessories out of your baby’s bed until they graduate to a toddlers cot. This is generally around 18-24 months.^{[8]
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2
Tuck the fitted sheet in firmly. Choose a fitted sheet that is the correct size for your cot and ensure that all the corners are tucked firmly under the mattress to prevent it from becoming a choking hazard. Avoid using a regular sheet instead of a fitted sheet, as this can come loose if your baby moves during the night.^{[9]
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- Don’t use as a top sheet, as this has been correlated with increased for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
3
Avoid socks and hats, as these can be a choking risk. Even if it is a cold night, don’t put accessories, such as hats and socks, on your baby. These items have the potential to come loose during the night and have caused choking and suffocation on occasions.^{[10]
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- If you are worried that your baby’s feet may get cold, choose a 1-piece sleeping suit that has foot compartments.

Expert Q&A

Question

Will swaddling my newborn help them sleep?

Deanna Dawson-Jesus, CD (DONA)
Birth & Postpartum Doula, Childbirth, & Lactation Educator
Deanna Dawson-Jesus is a Birth Doula, Childbirth, and Lactation Educator based in Danville, California. As the owner of Birthing Babies - A Celebration of Life, Deanna has 19 years of birth doula experience and has assisted with over 250 births. She also has over five years of postpartum doula experience and assists more than ten families. Deanna has additional extensive training in Assisted Reproductive Technologies, VBAC support, and Perinatal Loss Support. She is a Certified Birth Doula by DONA International and teaches at Blossom Birth and Family.

Deanna Dawson-Jesus, CD (DONA)

Birth & Postpartum Doula, Childbirth, & Lactation Educator

Expert Answer

Yes! Babies have a natural reflex to kick out their arms and legs when they're lying down. Doing so can actually wake them up and make it harder for them to sleep. If you swaddle them, they may be able to stay asleep longer, as the swaddle mimics the sensation of being held.

Warnings

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is rare but it does occur. To help prevent this syndrome, remove any possible choking hazards from your newborn's crib or basket.

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