Warm and cosy
Published
With winter weather at its peak, parents will be looking for ways to keep their children warm and comfy at night. Children under five years are still developing the ability to regulate their body temperature, so it's not quite as simple as choosing a higher tog duvet or adding a hot water bottle.
Chris Tattersall, sleep expert and managing director of natural sleep brand Woolroom, shares his top tips to help your little ones get the best sleep possible in the colder months.
Newborns: birth - 1 year
Babies under a year old lack the ability to adapt to temperature change due to an underdeveloped thermo regulation system. Their large surface area compared to their weight means they can lose heat rapidly – up to four times faster than adults. This creates a challenge in winter as they need to be kept cosy without overheating.
• Maintain a comfortable room temperature: The optimal room temperature for newborns is between 16-20 degrees celsius. Check your baby to ensure they are a comfortable temperature when you put them down to sleep by placing your hand on their bare chest – they should feel warm to the touch rather than cold or clammy.
• Opt for a light tog sleeping bag: Baby sleeping bags are considered the safest option for newborns to avoid them getting tangled in bedding, blocking airways or covering their heads. Choose a 2.5 tog option in winter, and if your little one still feels hot or cold, the easiest and safest way to regulate this is to add or remove layers of clothing. If you choose to use blankets, avoid thick, fleecy or padded material and remember that folding fabric over is equivalent to two blankets.
• Be firm on mattresses: A firm mattress allows heat to escape more efficiently, which helps to prevent overheating. You can further improve this temperature regulation by opting for a mattress made from natural materials, such as wool. Wool mattresses offer good breathability and moisture control and are also constructed to support healthy spinal development.
Toddlers: 1-3 years
Toddlers are likely to move to a ‘big kid bed’, either a cot bed or full-sized single, and this usually marks the transition to your child’s first duvet. Children are still unable to regulate their internal temperature until the age of seven or eight, so even in the winter they may be prone to night sweats, which can cause waking and disruption to sleep routines.
• Consider bed positioning: To keep your little one at a consistent temperature, it can be a good idea to keep the bed away from external walls and windows. You can also use blackout blinds, curtains and draft excluders to retain warmth without using a direct heat source.
• Keep their extremities warm: If they tend to get cold at night, it’s helpful to keep their extremities warm. Try dressing them in footed pyjamas or socks. If they are still getting cold at night, consider layering up with a blanket.
• `Look for natural bedding fibres: Choosing breathable, natural bedding materials such as wool, linen and organic cotton for your child’s pillows and duvet is a game changer. Wool regulates the sleeper’s temperature by drawing heat and moisture away from the body, keeping children warm in the winter months and cool in the summer. Choose a light 2.5 tog duvet year-round at this age.
School age children: 4 years+
At this stage, proper sleep habits will help your little ones with all-important concentration, cognitive development, mental and physical health and so much more.
• Practice good sleep hygiene: A warm bath or shower is a great way to remove the chill after outdoor play and mark the start of a consistent bedtime routine. Not only is the bath itself comforting and relaxing, but the gentle raising and cooling of body temperature is helpful to trigger tiredness.
• Safety and certifications: Ensure any extra blankets or thicker duvets comply with safety standards, particularly regarding flammability, harmful substances and chemicals. Look for OEKO-TEX certification.
• Make sure it’s washable! Bedwetting is common until age 10, so make sure you’re prepared for extra washing! Polyester and feather and down duvets and mattress toppers aren’t always designed for frequent 60 degree washing due to the breakdown of fibres, so double check the instructions and ensure your child’s bedding is made of resilient, durable materials. It can also help to add a natural mattress protector to avoid as much damage to the mattress as possible.
Visit: www.thewoolroom.com
