how to keep bub warm (but not too warm) this winter

[Butterfly_Kisses]

I am alarmed at how many of you are over dressing your children!. Be really careful about over heating ladies, its a leading factor in SIDS. The UK has a much higher SIDS rate because too many babies are over dressed in winter for bed, when they dont need to be.

The idea of using a sleeping bag is to replace blankets. Dont use a blanket over the top of one, its very dangerous. Its also perfectly normal for their hands to get cold in the night, as well as their faces. I wouldnt advice putting a beanie on them in bed either, they need to be able to regulate their temperature through their heads...

You can download the SIDS FAQ brochure here http://www.sidsandkids.org/documents/FAQSept2005.doc which will answer your questions on keeping your baby warm but safe in winter.

Edited to add these quotes from the SIDS FAQ:

17. How much clothing should a baby sleep in?

A useful guide is to dress baby as you would dress yourself – to be comfortably warm, not hot. Overheating is a risk factor for SIDS. Babies mainly keep themselves cool through their head, in particular the face. So make sure baby’s face and head remains uncovered and baby will be able to stay comfortably warm. Remove hats or bonnets from baby as soon as you come indoors or enter a warm car, bus or train, even if it means waking the baby.

18. In a very cold climate how much bedding does a baby need?

Current research suggests that if baby becomes either too hot or too cold the risk of SIDS increases. To prevent this you need to use your own judgment, depending on where you live, whether you have home heating and whether it is summer or winter. A useful guide is to dress baby as you would dress yourself – to be comfortably warm, not hot or cold.