How to Dress a Baby for Sleep

Sleeper? Nightgown? Swaddled? There are so many options for what a baby could wear to bed. Here's how to decide what's best for your baby.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Sleepwear
• A blanket for swaddling

How to Dress a Baby for Sleep

1. Dress your baby similar to what you're wearing. There's no need to pile on the layers at night, and overheating can increase the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
2. Determine what works best for you during late-night diaper changes. Do you prefer the ease of nightgowns? Are the buttons and snaps on sleepers no big deal?
3. If your baby likes to be swaddled, make sure the swaddle is tight so the loose blanket doesn't end up over the baby's face. Consider using a swaddling blanket rather than a receiving blanket.
4. If your baby doesn't like to be swaddled, but your house gets chilly at night, dress the baby in a wearable sleep sack.
5. If you co-sleep with your baby, take into account the extra body heat you generate and dress your baby lighter than you would if she were sleeping in a crib.
6. If your house doesn't have air conditioning in the sweltering heat of summer, there's nothing wrong with putting your baby to bed in just a diaper.

Tips & Warnings

• If you choose to give your baby a blanket, tuck the blanket under the crib's mattress so it can't reach higher than your baby's shoulders.
• Don't forget to put socks on your baby if the pajamas don't have feet.