Article: what should my baby wear to sleep? the maison elle guide
what should my baby wear to sleep? the maison elle guide
parents often search for clear answers about baby sleepwear, room temperature and how many layers their baby needs overnight
the difficulty is that there is no single combination that suits every baby, room or season
this guide offers a simple approach based on breathable natural fibres, responsive layering and checking the baby in front of you rather than relying on one rigid temperature chart
a simple starting point
dress your baby in light breathable layers suited to the room temperature
warm nights call for fewer layers while cooler nights may require additional warmth
there is no single room temperature that is right for every baby and every home
the aim is for your baby to feel comfortably warm rather than hot sweaty or clammy
check your baby’s chest tummy or back rather than their hands and feet which can naturally feel cooler
understanding room temperature
the temperature close to the cot may differ slightly from the reading on your household thermostat
you may place a room thermometer near the cot while checking the temperature then remove it from the sleep space once the reading has settled
use the temperature as a guide rather than a fixed dressing rule
the fabric weight of each garment the tog of the sleeping bag your baby’s age and how your baby responds to warmth all need to be considered
newborn to around 8 weeks
during the early newborn stage focus on light breathable layers that can be adjusted according to the room
depending on the conditions this may include
a sleeveless cotton under-bodysuit with clips at the bottom
a breathable long-sleeve organic cotton growsuit
a single lightweight bamboo and cotton or cotton stretch wrap for traditional swaddling
a lightweight cellular cotton blanket where blankets are being used
these pieces should not automatically be worn together as one fixed combination
begin with simple layers check your baby’s chest tummy or back and adjust as needed
swaddling a newborn
maison elle prefers traditional swaddling with a single lightweight bamboo and cotton or cotton stretch wrap
the wrap should feel secure without restricting the baby’s chest hips or natural leg movement
your baby should always be placed on their back with their head and face completely uncovered
stop swaddling as soon as your baby begins showing signs of attempting to roll
once swaddling stops transition to a correctly fitted infant sleeping bag with the arms free
hats bonnets beanies and hooded clothing should not be worn during sleep
from around 8 weeks
as babies grow and move more freely their sleepwear needs may change
breathable layers remain important while a properly fitted sleeping bag may provide consistent warmth without relying on loose bedding
depending on the room temperature this may include
a sleeveless or short-sleeve cotton under-bodysuit
a breathable long-sleeve organic cotton growsuit or organic cotton pyjamas
a correctly fitted sleeping bag with an appropriate tog rating
a lightweight cellular cotton blanket where blankets are being used
continue checking your baby’s chest tummy or back and adjust one light layer at a time
a note from tanya
for my three children during winter i begin with a sleeveless organic cotton underlayer
my two eldest wear organic cotton pyjamas while my youngest wears an organic cotton growsuit
all three currently wear sleeping bag samples from the maison elle range
the warmth of each sleeping bag and blanket varies so i check each child’s chest or back and adjust their layers according to the individual child and the room
when I use a blanket I choose a lightweight cellular design and keep it below the arms and away from the face and head
maison elle cellular cotton blankets are currently in development and I already use the samples at home
until they are ready I use and genuinely recommend bemboka bamboo and cotton cot blankets
this is not a paid partnership or affiliation they are simply the blankets I personally use and love
this founder note reflects what I use in my own home rather than a universal dressing recommendation
choosing the right layers
underlayers
choose a lightweight breathable underlayer such as organic cotton or bamboo
it should fit comfortably without becoming tight or bulky beneath the main sleepwear
main sleepwear
a breathable long-sleeve organic cotton growsuit can provide gentle warmth without relying on thick or heavy clothing
a zip opening may also make overnight changes simpler and less disruptive
older babies and toddlers may wear breathable organic cotton pyjamas instead
swaddles
choose one lightweight bamboo and cotton or cotton stretch wrap during the early newborn stage
avoid heavy weighted or bulky wraps
the fabric should remain clear of the face and allow natural movement through the hips and legs
stop swaddling as soon as your baby begins attempting to roll
sleeping bags
choose the sleeping bag according to your baby’s size the room temperature and the clothing worn underneath
a safe sleeping bag should
fit securely across the neck and chest
have fitted neck and arm openings
leave the arms free
have no hood
be the correct size for your baby
have a tog rating appropriate for the room
always follow the manufacturer’s dressing guide because the warmth sizing and construction vary between products
blankets and breathable layering
maison elle prefers lightweight cellular cotton blankets using organic cotton where possible
their open cellular construction allows airflow and makes it easier to adjust warmth through light layers rather than relying on one heavy blanket
red nose australia advises placing the baby with their feet at the bottom of the cot keeping lightweight blankets no higher than chest level and firmly tucking them beneath the mattress on three sides
at home I do not firmly tuck blankets beneath the mattress
instead I gently nestle a lightweight cellular cotton blanket around the shape of my baby keeping it below the arms low on the body and away from the face and head
this is my personal parenting practice and differs from official red nose australia guidance
speak with your trusted midwife doctor or child and family health nurse about the safest bedding arrangement for your baby’s age development and individual sleep environment
for parents who do not wish to use firmly tucked blankets a correctly fitted infant sleeping bag without additional loose bedding is the option consistent with current red nose australia guidance
when using blankets
choose lightweight cellular cotton blankets using organic cotton where possible
always place your baby on their back to sleep
position your baby with their feet at the bottom of the cot
keep blankets below the arms and no higher than chest level
keep your baby’s head face and neck completely uncovered
avoid heavy blankets doonas quilts pillows weighted bedding and bulky layers
review the bedding arrangement as your baby becomes more mobile and seek guidance from your trusted child health professional where needed
how to tell if your baby is too warm
check your baby’s chest tummy or back
signs they may be too warm include
skin that feels hot sweaty or clammy
damp hair or clothing
a noticeably hot torso
remove one light layer and check again
your baby’s head and face should remain completely uncovered throughout sleep
how to tell if your baby may need another layer
your baby’s chest tummy or back may feel cooler than comfortably warm
add one light breathable layer then check again
cool hands and feet do not necessarily mean your baby is cold and are not the most reliable way to assess their core warmth
why responsive layering matters
room temperature may change throughout the night and between seasons
babies may also respond differently to the same clothing and bedding
maison elle focuses on breathable materials lightweight layers and calm adjustments according to the room and the baby in front of you
the goal is not to memorise one perfect combination
it is to create a comfortable sleep environment check your baby regularly and make small changes when needed
maison elle sleepwear in development
our organic cotton growsuits lightweight bamboo and cotton wraps cellular cotton blankets and carefully designed sleeping bags are currently in development
each piece is being considered as part of a breathable understated sleep environment with natural fibres practical layering and the quieter rituals of bedtime in mind
frequently asked questions
how many layers should my baby wear
the number of layers depends on the room temperature your baby’s age the warmth of each garment and the tog rating of the sleeping bag
begin with light breathable clothing and add or remove one layer according to how your baby’s chest tummy or back feels
do not rely on one fixed number for every baby or every night
should I use cellular blankets
maison elle prefers lightweight cellular cotton blankets because their open construction supports airflow and allows warmth to be adjusted gradually
choose cotton using organic cotton where possible and avoid heavy bulky or weighted bedding
are organic cotton blankets better
maison elle prefers organic cotton because it feels breathable comfortable against the skin and easy to layer
this is a material preference rather than a substitute for correct sleep positioning and safe bedding guidance
should I avoid synthetic blankets
maison elle prefers breathable natural fibres such as cotton rather than polyester or acrylic for overnight bedding
lightweight natural layers allow warmth to be adjusted without relying on one heavy item
which tog rating should I choose
choose a lower tog for warmer conditions and a higher tog for cooler conditions
always follow the dressing guide supplied with the specific sleeping bag and consider every layer your baby is wearing underneath
do newborns need hats for sleep
no
remove hats bonnets beanies and other head coverings before sleep so your baby’s head and face remain completely uncovered
when should I stop swaddling
stop swaddling as soon as your baby begins showing signs of attempting to roll
transition to a correctly fitted infant sleeping bag with the arms free
can I place blankets over a sleeping bag
red nose australia recommends using a correctly fitted sleeping bag without additional bedding
the sleeping bag should have fitted neck and arm openings leave the arms free have no hood and be appropriate for the room temperature
my personal use of lightweight cellular blankets with sleeping bags is explained in the founder note above
this differs from official red nose australia guidance and should not be treated as a universal recommendation
how do I know whether my baby is warm enough
check your baby’s chest tummy or back
they should feel comfortably warm rather than hot sweaty or clammy
hands and feet can naturally feel cooler and are not the most reliable guide
related reading
signs your baby is overtired and how to reset
dream feed: what it is and whether it actually helps
how to create a calm bedtime ritual for your baby
how to set up a safe cot
how to help your baby sleep longer at night
find the guide for your baby’s stage
sources used for the safety check
Red Nose advises that there is no single recommended safe room temperature and that a baby’s back or tummy is a better warmth check than their hands or feet
Its current guidance also covers head coverings back sleeping firmly tucked lightweight blankets safe sleeping bags and stopping wrapping once a baby begins attempting to roll
signs your baby is overtired and how to reset
dream feed: what it is and whether it actually helps
how to create a calm bedtime ritual for your baby
