Brought to you by Inglesina Travel Systems

Navigating your baby's temperature is important for their comfort and wellbeing. Babies are more sensitive to temperature fluctuations than adults, and it's essential to keep them comfortable and safe. Here are my tips for managing your baby's temperature especially as we enter the winter months:

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Layering Outfits

Dress your baby in layers so you can easily add or remove clothing as the temperature fluctuates. Look for clothing made from natural fibres as they tend to be more breathable and comfortable against baby’s skin. Hats and gloves are a great addition if you are out and about, as your baby will lose plenty of their body heat through their head, but be sure to take hats off indoors.

Always check if your baby feels too hot or too cold and adjust their clothing accordingly. To check if your baby is too hot, feel their neck, back, or tummy, as their extremities may naturally feel cooler. Your baby's skin should feel warm but not sweaty or hot.

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Dress for the environment

You and your baby will both benefit from getting out and about and enjoying some fresh air, even if it is a bit chilly. Make sure your baby is warm enough, if you are heading out for a walk, again using layers whilst also thinking about ventilation in their travel system to ensure they don’t get too warm.

Brands like Inglesina have invested in developing products to support baby wellness that include features like the all season stroller seat on the Aptica, which has a double breathable mesh layer to promote air ventilation and a padded cover for that extra protection and warmth in the winter months. This range also has a mesh ventilation window in the hood for added air circulation.

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Watch out for overheating in the car

We all know the feeling of wearing a thick outdoor coat and then jumping into the car only to find yourself hot and sweaty moments later. Your baby is no different - it is important to remember that your baby should not be travelling in a car seat wearing a coat or snowsuit. Car seats can be warm and the added coat is not needed.

Some car seats like Inglesina’s Darwin Infant recline car seat has 149 holes to allow for airflow to keep your baby comfortable and safe. Simply dress your little one in lighter clothing and keep the car at a comfortable temperature for you and your baby. Pop a coat or blanket on, when you arrive at your destination if they are going to be outside.

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Bedtime temperature

Ensure that your baby's crib or bed is appropriately dressed for safe sleep and to avoid overheating. It is important to remember that the only thing that should be in your baby’s cot, is your baby.  Avoid cushions, pillows, soft toys and blankets that pose a safety risk and prevent airflow which is important. Choose a carrycot that uses breathable fabrics. Bamboo is a popular choice as a natural breathable fabric which is why Inglesina features a bamboo fibre lining in their travel system carrycots, and extra ventilation around the sides and on the base.

Baby sleeping bags are recommended for sleeping because they are fitted around the body so they don’t ride up, which is essential for safety. They also come with plenty of room to move about without the worry of kicking off blankets and then becoming cold. When choosing a sleeping bag, check the tog rating and ensure you are choosing a suitable tog for the season. Tog (Thermal Overall Grade) ratings measure how much insulation the sleeping bag offers.

As a guide:

0.5 tog: Suitable for very warm weather (25°C or above).

1.0 tog: Ideal for summer and warmer room temperatures (21-23°C).

2.5 tog: Suitable for most standard room temperatures (16-20°C).

3.5 tog: Designed for colder room temperatures (below 16°C).

Don’t forget, even though it is colder outside in the winter months, it can often still be warm inside so choose a tog rating suitable for where your baby will be sleeping. Most good sleeping bag companies have a rating card to help you choose the right one for your home.

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Room temperature

Keep the room where your baby sleeps at a comfortable temperature. In winter months, the temptation can be to turn up the heating but be mindful of it getting too hot. Steer clear of space heaters which can be dangerous and pose a fire hazard. The ideal room temperature for a baby is generally between 16 and 20 degrees Celsius.

Use a room thermometer to monitor the temperature and adjust the thermostat. Good ventilation is important, so don’t be afraid of opening a window for a few minutes if it feels a bit stuffy, keeping baby away from windows, vents or drafts as well as from radiators to maintain their temperature as best as possible.

If you are bringing your baby in from outside and they are asleep, it can be handy to have a carrycot that lifts from the travel system chassis that you can pop on a stand inside. Inglesina’s travel systems (Aptica, Aptica XT and Electa) all come with a carrycot and stand as standard, which is perfect for transitioning from outdoors to indoors. The carrycot ventilation system promotes airflow and the mesh window offers added air circulation. Make sure to pop your carrycot into a cooler room and remove the padded apron/cover.

As your baby gets a little older, they will become more able to regulate their own body temperature and eventually be able to let you know if they are too hot or too cold. Managing their temperature in the early days helps ensure your baby’s safety and wellness, keeping your little one as comfortable as possible, whatever the weather!

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