What Should My Baby Wear to Sleep in Winter?

Summary 

Keeping your baby comfortable and safe through the colder months starts with the right sleepwear and a consistent bedtime routine. When your little one feels cozy and secure, they’re more likely to settle and stay asleep. With soothing light, sound, and expert-backed guidance, Hatch Baby helps you build healthy sleep habits that last all season and beyond.

Dressing your baby for sleep in winter can feel tricky — you want them warm enough, but not too hot. Like a lot of things related to baby sleep, there’s no one right way to keep your baby comfortable on chilly nights. How to dress a baby for winter sleep ultimately depends on factors like their age, stage, and the temperature of their sleep space. 

The important thing, no matter the season, is to prioritize safe sleep and create a routine that sets baby up for healthy sleep routines at any age. Here’s how to keep your baby cozy and safe all winter long — and how Hatch Baby can help you create a soothing sleep routine to support healthy baby sleep all year round.

Table of contents

1. Why Winter Sleepwear Matters for Babies
2. What to Dress Your Baby in by Age and Stage
3. Baby Winter Sleep: Clothes Help, But Routine Is Key
4. Key Takeaways
5. FAQs
6. References 

Why Winter Sleepwear Matters for Babies

Part of helping baby sleep is creating a comfortable environment in their sleep space — which may change from season to season. Colder temperatures, if too chilly, can make it hard for a baby to fall and stay asleep — but overheating with heavy PJs or using blankets in the crib can pose a safety risk. 

Finding that just-right balance is key. Layers and weather-appropriate fabrics can help keep babies safe and comfortable through the night, supporting healthy sleep patterns, reducing wake-ups, and helping your little one rest soundly as they grow.

Safe Sleep Guidelines to Keep in Mind 

Before addressing sleepwear, a quick reminder of safe sleep guidelines for all babies: 

• Aim for a temperature of 68-72° F when possible. 
• Always place baby on their back in a crib or bassinets with no loose blankets or pillows. 
• Use wearable blankets or sleep sacks instead of blankets. 
• When baby starts to roll or shows signs of rolling over, transition from swaddle blankets to sleep sacks.

What to Dress Your Baby in by Age and Stage

When it gets cold outside, you’ll already be swapping baby’s warm weather clothes for cooler-weather alternatives. Now’s a great time to switch out baby’s sleepwear, too. What your baby should wear to bed when it’s cold depends on their age and stage. 

Newborns

Layer cotton footie pajamas with a swaddle or newborn sleep sack. It’s lightweight, but still snug to prevent baby from getting chilly at night. If they get warm — typically, you’ll see sweaty hair or flushed cheeks — just remove the extra layer.

Infants

When baby is 3-6 months old, layer cotton or fleece pajamas with a medium-weight sleep sack (especially important when baby starts rolling). Again, you can always take off the extra layer if you think it’s too warm at any point in the night. 

Older Babies

For babies 6-12 months and older, go for breathable, long-sleeved pajamas and a medium sleep sack for warmth. Look for soft, moisture-wicking fabrics that keep your little one cozy without overheating, and remove layers as needed. 

Baby Sleep in the Winter: Clothes Help, But Routine Is Key

Dressing baby comfortably in weather-appropriate clothes is an important part of healthy sleep — but in the long-run, a consistent routine is key. Everything you do leading up to bedtime — from feeding and bath to lullabies and rocking — helps soothe baby for rest while forming important associations with sleep. These cues help form and balance baby’s brand-new circadian rhythm, so they’ll release melatonin and drift off when it’s time to go to bed. 

Hatch Baby can help you build baby sleep routines that stick with dreamy night lights, soothing pink noise, and lullabies to get through fussy moments. For the first six months after purchasing Hatch Baby, you’ll also have access to one-on-one chats with our expert Sleep Consultants (where you can ask, among other things, “What should my baby wear to sleep in winter?”). 

As for the PJs? You can include putting on a fresh diaper, PJs, and swaddling or zipping up the sleep sack in your routine — over time, baby will link these cues with sleep, making it easier to wind down for bed. 

Key Takeaways

• Creating a cozy, safe environment is an important component of baby sleep no matter their age or stage.
• Appropriate winter sleepwear can help your baby stay comfortable in the chillier months. 
• Hatch Baby can help your family build healthy baby sleep routines, so everyone gets more sleep.

Help your little one stay cozy, safe, and sound all winter long. Discover how Hatch Baby supports better sleep — every night, in every season.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the ideal room temperature for a baby in winter?

Experts recommend keeping the nursery between 68-72°F. Use a room thermometer to monitor conditions and dress baby in layers that match the environment.

Should babies wear hats or mittens to bed in winter?

No. Hats, mittens, and any loose accessories can pose safety risks. Instead, opt for warm pajamas and sleep sacks designed for safe infant sleep.

Are fleece pajamas safe for babies to wear at night?

Yes, fleece pajamas are safe when paired with a breathable sleep sack and a room kept at the right temperature. Always check your baby’s chest or back (not hands or feet) to ensure they’re comfortably warm, not overheated.

References

1. American Academy of Pediatrics. (2022). How to keep your sleeping baby safe: AAP policy explained. HealthyChildren.org. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/sleep/Pages/a-parents-guide-to-safe-sleep.aspx
2. Mindell, J. A., & Williamson, A. A. (2018). Benefits of a bedtime routine in young children: Sleep, development, and beyond. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 40, 93–108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smrv.2017.10.007