How to dress your child for sleep in a 22°C room?
A room temperature of 22°C feels ideal for many people, yet it is completely understandable if you are unsure: how many layers does your baby really need at this temperature? Will they be cold? Or could they get too warm during the night? And how much can each child’s individual sense of warmth vary? Many parents ask themselves these very same questions day after day.
In this article, we will help you feel more confident: we will show you what to look out for before bedtime and during the night, and give you practical examples so you can build your baby’s evening routine with greater ease and choose the right sleepwear.
According to general recommendations, 20–22°C is considered an ideal room temperature
22°C is at the upper end of this range, which means the room may feel pleasantly, gently warm, especially if your baby is wearing thicker clothing, a baby sleeping bag or a baby blanket. Many adults also find this temperature comfortable.
Based on LiaaBébé babywear made from bamboo viscose, at 22°C there is usually no need for excessive layering. What matters more is choosing well-ventilated, temperature-regulating fabrics. This can help prevent overheating, which is often a more common concern than your baby feeling cold.
How can you check whether your baby is cold or too warm?
For a long time, many people believed that a baby’s hands or feet showed whether they were cold. We now know this is not a reliable method. It is much more accurate to touch the back of your baby’s neck or their upper back.
If their skin feels comfortably warm, lukewarm and dry, they are likely dressed just right. If their skin is sweaty or clammy, or their hair feels damp at the nape of the neck, they are probably too warm. If their skin feels cool or looks mottled, it may be worth adding one extra layer.
This is one of the simplest and most reassuring ways to respond quickly to temperature changes, for example when you come back into a warm home after a walk, or when the air cools down overnight.
Dressing newborns at 22°C
It is important to make a distinction when it comes to newborns, as they cannot yet regulate their body temperature as effectively. In the first few weeks, a slightly warmer environment, around 22–25°C, may be more suitable for them. Because their bodies are not yet mature enough to adjust fully to the outside temperature, it is our role to support them with the right room temperature and comfortable clothing. Newborns may be more prone to both getting too cold and overheating. For this reason, their outfit can usually include one light extra layer compared with an older baby.
At this stage, textiles that can adapt to both body temperature and the surrounding environment are especially helpful. They can help babies stay warm without becoming overheated. Bamboo fibre is a wonderful choice for this reason. It is breathable, yet it also helps retain warmth. In summer, it can feel gently cooling, while in colder months it helps keep your little one comfortably warm.
What problems can come up during the night?
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The temperature in the home, and therefore in the bedroom, may fluctuate
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Body temperature changes during the night
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Humidity, and therefore how warm the room feels, can also change
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Every child has individual needs
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Your baby may wriggle out from under the blanket
How can you handle these situations?
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The good news is that these situations can be managed with simple solutions. You do not need to maintain a perfectly constant room temperature, as that would be difficult in everyday life. Instead, you can adapt and adjust through the way you dress your baby. LiaaBébé recommends clothes for your little one that can respond to changes in temperature. Bamboo fabric, for example, can help your baby avoid becoming too warm, while also helping them stay comfortable if the surroundings change slightly.
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Our body temperature naturally changes during the night. It is lower in the evening as we fall asleep, then higher towards dawn and when we wake up in the morning. Just as bamboo fibre can help with changes in the air temperature, it can also help balance these natural internal fluctuations when used as a clothing fabric.
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It is also worth keeping an eye on humidity, ideally near the baby’s cot. For children, a level of around 60–70% is considered comfortable. Humidity affects how warm or cool we feel: when it is higher, the air feels warmer, and when it is lower, it can feel cooler. If needed, humidifying the air may help.
Baby sleeping bag instead of a blanket, why is it practical?
Most parents sooner or later experience their baby repeatedly kicking off the blanket during the night. This can be uncomfortable for the baby and may also lead to more night waking, as they need to be covered again and again.
A baby sleeping bag, on the other hand, stays in place throughout the night, provides even warmth and is practical. Mums who love LiaaBébé often find it one of the most useful solutions for calmer nights, not only for their little one, but for themselves too. It means they are less likely to wake up frequently to replace a blanket, and may feel more rested in the morning.
Which LiaaBébé babywear do we recommend for sleep in a 22°C room?
In a pleasant 22°C room, there is no need for too many layers. In most cases, a long-sleeved bodysuit and a suitable 1.5 TOG baby sleeping bag make a perfect choice.
You can choose from beautiful colours and patterns for both girls and boys. If you love blue, for example, you will find some of the loveliest shades on our website. If cheerful prints are your favourite, take a look at the dino polka dot or giraffe designs.
The best part is that these colours work beautifully together. The same print may appear across several pieces, making it easy to create a stylish outfit for your child.
What should an older child wear?
There are several options to choose from. If your child cannot yet cover themselves independently, a sleeping bag with legs is a great choice, as it gives them freedom of movement.
If they can already tuck themselves in confidently, then a baby blanket and comfortable two-piece pyjamas may also be cosy. At this age, your child’s own needs and habits matter more.
What have you experienced while using bamboo babywear?
We are always happy to receive your feedback, as it reassures us and gives us new ideas too. In rooms around 22°C, many of you like using tried-and-tested combinations. Pairing a bodysuit with a baby sleeping bag can greatly reduce uncertainty at night, as your little one cannot kick off the blanket and it cannot slip over their face.
Several parents have also shared that using bamboo clothing helped prevent sweating and that their babies slept more peacefully.
Overall, it seems that choosing the right material and keeping the bedtime routine simple can make nights much calmer, not only for babies, but for parents too.
Frequently asked questions
Is one layer of clothing enough at 22°C?
Usually not. A bodysuit together with a baby sleeping bag provides the comfort generally needed for night-time sleep.
What TOG value should you choose for a room around 22°C?
A 1.5 TOG option is most often recommended. If you expect the room to cool down towards dawn, it may be worth using one slightly warmer option.
What should you do if the room gets colder by morning?
A well-chosen baby sleeping bag can help, as can choosing a material that adapts to changes in temperature. You can also prepare a warmer sleeping bag nearby and move your baby into it after a night feed.
A 22°C room temperature provides a good foundation for peaceful baby sleep, but the right clothing remains essential. If you pay attention to your baby’s cues, choose layers carefully and favour natural, temperature-regulating fabrics, you can create truly balanced, calmer nights.
Written by Mónika Veres
Sources:
NHS — Baby safer sleep advice
The Lullaby Trust — Your baby’s room temperature
