Kate Holmes of The Lullaby Trust, and Ashley Martin, public health advisor for RoSPA (the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents), explain what to avoid this winter if you're trying to stay warm without whacking up the thermostat.
We also share some of the safe ways to keep your baby comfortable in the cold and explain how to check your baby's temperature.
For ways to keep your family living costs down, and kids of all ages happy,1. Don't give your baby a hot water bottle
A hot water bottle might seem like a cheap way to warm up your baby, but you run the risk of them getting too hot or even being burned.
Babies' fragile skin burns deeper, more quickly and at lower temperatures than an adult's, so even a hot water bottle with a cover might cause serious damage - never use them for babies aged under 12 months.
Avoid warming beds with wheat bags, too, as these can reach high temperatures that may result in burns. The grain could still be heating up after you've microwaved it and, if tucked under bedding, could potentially start a fire, too.
Although some wheat bags look like plush toys, RoSPA's Ashley Martin says: 'These are more for adults and shouldn't be left where young children can come into contact with them.'
What to do instead
notIf the nursery temperature is between 14°C and 16°C, use a 2.5-tog sleeping bag with a vest and a sleepsuit, or a 3.5-tog with just a sleepsuit. If it's under 14°C, use a 3.5-tog sleeping bag with a vest and a sleepsuit.
- make nights with your newborn a little easier with our top recommendations and tips2. Don't use a cot bumper
Cots are specifically designed for air to circulate freely to aid a baby's breathing, so even if their room is draughty resist the temptation to use a cot bumper.
Also, there have also been a number of cases in the UK and abroad where infants have become tangled in the bumper's fabric or ties, or they've fallen when pulling themselves up using a bumper.
Even though padded, meshed or vented cot bumpers are freely available to buy in the UK, the advice from The Lullaby Trust is to not use one because 'the safest cot is a clear cot'.
What to do instead
If the room is draughty, insulating windows and doors, installing a draught excluder and hanging insulating curtains can all help to prevent heat loss.
- ensure your baby can sleep safely and soundly by choosing an excellent cot mattress3. Don't use electric blankets
Electric blankets for babies under 12 months are a definite 'no' because their skin is very sensitive to heat and could be burnt by temperatures that are comfortable for an adult.
Although RoSPA isn't aware of electric blanket injuries specifically involving children over 12 months, it still suggests parents use them with caution.
Ashley Martin of RoSPA says: 'Concerns would be that children could overheat or that older and/or faulty blankets might be used that can lead to burns or fires.'
What to do instead
Unfortunately, there is no alternative to an electric blanket for children under 12 months old.
You should also avoid using an electric blanket with an older child if they still wet the bed or they're able to use the controls themselves, as they could turn the heat up too high.
See the results of our4. Don't leave portable heaters on at night
The NHS says all-night heating for your baby is 'rarely necessary' so aim instead for a room temperature of between 16°C and 20°C, regardless of outside temperature or the weather forecast - even if that temperature may feel cold to you.
What to do instead
Keep central heating on at a low temperature (around 20°C) for all or part of the night, but avoid positioning the cot next to a radiator. This is to avoid overheating or burns and because radiators are often put underneath windows where blind cords may be hanging down.
If this isn't possible, a portable heater could be used briefly to boost the room temperature to between 16°C and 20°C before your baby is put to bed, but the heater should be switched off and removed from the room once they're in bed.
If you're really worried about them being cold, move them into the same room as you, so you can gauge for yourself whether the room temperature is too low.
- we've tested audio and video baby monitors from Leapfrog, VTech, Hubble and more, to help you find a reliable monitor you can depend on5. Don't put a duvet on your baby
Babies can easily overheat, so avoid duvets and other bulky bedding, such as quilts, pillows, sleep positioners, weighted blankets or weighted sleeping bags when they're under 12 months of age.
Kate Holmes says: 'We know that the colder months can be difficult for families, and we understand it can be tempting to wrap your baby up to keep them warm while they sleep. However, we know that overheating increases the chances of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and research shows that it's better for babies to be cooler rather than too hot.'
What to do instead
Use light layers or light blankets, which make it more difficult for your baby to overheat, plus you can easily remove them if they get too hot (don't use blankets with a baby sleeping bag).
If you're using baby blankets, remember that one blanket is the equivalent of 1 tog (a rating of how thermally insulating it is), which means that once folded it doubles the rating to 2 tog.
– tips on what you need to know, from the safest place for a cot bed to what kind of cot mattress is best6. Don't choose the wrong baby sleeping bag
A baby sleeping bag may help to give your little one a comfortable night's sleep this winter, but be careful to choose one that's safe.
If the neck opening is too wide and the bag doesn't have shoulder straps, your baby could slip down into the bag. If it has excess material or a hood, this could also increase the risk of suffocation.
If the tog rating is too high, you risk your little one overheating.
What to do instead
Choose the correct tog. Always look for the safety standard marking. BS EN 16781:2018Make sure they can't slip down into it.Check your baby's weight. - we've quizzed parents on big-name brands, including Ikea, John Lewis and Mamas & Papas, to uncover the most popular7. Don't forget to stay safe when co-sleeping
If you're concerned your baby might be cold, it may feel natural to bring them to sleep with you but there are situations in which it is unsafe:
You smoke or you're on certain medication.Your baby was born prematurely.lbs or less).You're sleeping with them on a sofa or armchair.What to do instead
If none of the above apply to you and you're safe to co-sleep, put your little one in a baby sleeping bag rather than under your covers to avoid them overheating or having their breathing obstructed.
Don't allow older children or pets to sleep alongside young babies, as they may increase the risk of suffocation or overheating, or the baby may even get trapped, squashed or fall out of bed.
How to know if your baby is too hot or too cold
They are struggling to sleep. Don't go by how cool their hands or feet feel. Use a thermometer.Remember, babies can get hot while they sleep.
What to do if you can't afford heating
There are rules in place that mean over winter (October to March) a supplier cannot disconnect a domestic property if it has people under the age of 18 living there.
Ofgem told Which?: 'Your supplier can offer you specialised support through the Priority Services Register (PSR) if you have a young child. This includes additional support in emergencies or increased communications.'
It added that suppliers must also take reasonable steps to identify if a customer has self-disconnected and provide appropriate support. This includes support credit to customers who have self-disconnected where it is in the customer's best interest and/or where the customer is in a vulnerable situation.
What help is available?
source https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/7-things-you-should-never-do-to-keep-your-baby-warm-this-winter-arGGm5d9brAW