Seasonal Baby Nursery Tips: What Changes to Make Through the Year
As the year goes by and the seasons change, there are certain things in your baby's nursery that'll also need adjusting. Bed sheets, sleeping bags, room temperature, and more are all things we talk about in our seasonal baby nursery tips guide.
A Little Summary…
- Keep your baby's room at a consistent 16-20°C year-round to promote safe, comfortable sleep.
- Use 2.5 tog sleeping bags in winter and 1.0 tog in summer, adjusting clothing layers based on the room temperature.
- Choose breathable, natural bedding materials like organic cotton and linen for all seasons.
- Update nursery decor and layers with the seasons. Opt for fleece blankets and warm tones in autumn/winter, and lighter cellular blankets and neutrals in spring/summer.
- Avoid placing beds near heaters or windows, and never overdress your baby to prevent overheating or SIDS risk.
If you're anything like us, there's nothing quite like a home reset as the seasons change. And with a little one in the mix, this reset is even more important.
From summer to winter, here's what you need to know to keep your little one comfortable and safe in their nursery, depending on the time of year…
In This Guide:
Winter Nursery Tips
We'll start off with winter, since most of the time in the UK, we're dealing with cold and rainy weather.
The UK's winter temperature averages between 2-7°C [1], with our homes’ temperature around 18-20°C [2], but that, of course, is determined by factors like insulation and heating.
Keeping your little one and their nursery at a safe, comfortable temperature through this season is important for their health and well-being, so here's what we recommend doing to keep your baby warm and prepare their nursery for winter:
Maintain a Comfortable Room Temp (16-20°C)
According to the NHS, "about 16 to 20C is ideal" for a baby's room temperature.
Even though it's winter and you might be tempted to keep the heating running on high all through the night (or day), this is actually an example of what not to do.
Again, the NHS states, "Babies do not need hot rooms. All-night heating is rarely necessary.". The only case where you may need to use additional heating in your baby's room is if they are in a poorly insulated or draughty room.
We advise placing a room thermometer in the nursery to ensure the temperature is between 16-20°C, which will allow you to adjust the heating accordingly, such as setting timers or adjusting the thermostat.
It's also important to note that you shouldn't place your baby's Moses basket, crib, cot, or bed directly next to a heater. While you may be tempted to do so for added warmth, this can actually cause your baby to overheat and increase the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Other tips include:
- Use door draft excluders to prevent cold air from entering the room.
- If your windows are not double-glazed, use insulation window film to keep the heat in.
- Avoid using a thermal heater if you can help it. If you do need to use one, make sure it is placed far away from the bed and not near any nursery furniture or bedding.
- Thermal or blackout curtains can help to keep the warmth in the room.
What Should a Baby Wear to Bed in Winter?
Never bundle your baby up in clothing or blankets during the winter – this is a big suffocation and SIDS risk.
Instead, dress them in appropriate clothing layers and use a 2.5 tog sleeping bag.
We have a great guide on choosing the best sleep bag for your baby, but the key point you need to know is 2.5 tog sleeping bags are suited for room temperatures between 16-20°C (which is the optimal room temperature we've discussed above).
The graphic below is helpful for showing what layers your baby should wear under their sleep bag:
- 16°C – long-sleeved sleepsuit
- 17-19°C (approx) – long-sleeved romper
- 20°C – short-sleeved romper
Winter-Appropriate Baby Bedding
As part of your winter nursery reset, switch out any bedding that may not be appropriate.
If your child is old enough to be using a duvet (between 1 and 2 years old), you may wish to change to a winter-weight duvet.
Alternatively, provide them with a blanket for an extra layer. Baby blankets with a fleece underside are even more perfect.
Loose bedding, such as duvets, pillows, and blankets, should not be used for children under the age of 1.
You might also wish to change up the aesthetics of your baby's bedding to match the winter season. Slightly darker colours, like navy blue and brown, are simply stunning for this time of year.
Winter Nursery Safety Advice
There are also some key safety tips to bear in mind as you transition your baby's nursery into winter mode. Some of these we've lightly touched on, but here's a reminder plus some additional ones:
- Don't place your child's bed next to a heater or radiator, as this can cause the temperature to rise too high.
- Don't use electrical blankets or hot water bottles in your child's bed. Instead, opt for organic fleece blankets or warm sleep bags.
- Make sure that any radiators are covered with a guard or barrier to prevent your child from touching them and getting burned.
- Overdressing your child can also be a hazard, as it can cause them to overheat and potentially lead to SIDS.
- Check on your baby regularly through the night or as they nap. Touch the back of their neck or chest, or use a thermometer, to see if they are too hot. If they feel sweaty or clammy, it's a sign they’re too warm, and you should remove some layers.
- Don't clutter the bassinet or crib with toys, blankets or other objects that could potentially suffocate your child. The safest sleep environment is an empty crib.
- If you do put your baby to bed with a blanket, never leave them unattended, and only use one lightweight cellular blanket.
Summer Nursery Tips
Summer is just as significant a month for altering your baby's nursery as winter.
Summer in the UK can wildly fluctuate, averaging about 9-18°C, according to The British Council [1], but sometimes reaching the low 30°C temperatures.
Indoors, the average house temperature rises to around 20-22°C [2] during the warmest days.
The fluctuation in temperature can make it challenging to find the right balance for your baby's nursery, but here are some tips to keep in mind while setting up their summer sleep space:
Keeping the Nursery Space Cool
You need to aim to keep the nursery at the optimum 16-20°C temperature for your baby to sleep comfortably, so you'll need to control the temperature in the room.
- Encourage air flow through the room by opening the door and a window (if it's safe to do this).
- Use blackout curtains or blinds and keep them shut during the day to block out the sun's heat.
- Consider using a fan in the room, but ensure it's not directly aimed at your baby or their bed. This should just be to get the air moving around the room.
- Use a room thermometer to monitor the temperature and adjust accordingly.
- Open windows on all sides of your house to create a cross-breeze and ventilate the room.
What Do Babies Wear to Bed in the Summer?
Along with creating a comfortable and cool sleeping environment, you will need to dress your baby appropriately for the warmer temperatures.
A 1.0 tog sleeping bag is advised for sleeping in temperatures between 21-23°C.
As for layering underneath the 1.0 tog sleep sack:
- 21°C – long-sleeved romper
- 22°C – short-sleeved romper
- 23°C – vest
Depending on how warm your home gets, you can adjust the layers accordingly, but always make sure your baby is not too hot or too cold.
In some cases, a single layer, such as a lightweight short-sleeved sleepsuit, may be sufficient enough.
Summer Baby Bedding
For your baby's bedding during, some parents may opt for a lighter-weight duvet or even just a thin sheet or blanket.
The material of the bedding is important, too, as it needs to be breathable and light, rather than heavy and stifling. Natural materials like cotton or linen are great options for summer bedding, as they allow for air circulation and are gentle on your baby's skin.
The quality of material we use for our baby bedding is exactly the sort of thing you should be looking for. We use a luxurious blend of organic cotton and linen to create our fitted sheets and bedding, ensuring your baby is sleeping on the softest, most comfortable bedding possible.
In summer, this is excellent news, as these materials are great at helping regulate your baby's body temperature while they sleep.
If you're also looking to introduce some feel-good summery colours into your nursery design, we've got plenty for you to choose from.
We especially love our Honey colourway, which brings a golden, sunny warmth.
Or, our White and Linen colourway for a naturally bright look.
Summer Nursery Safety Tips
Alongside making sure your baby is comfortable and cool in their nursery, it's also important to consider safety measures during the summer months, particularly as you make changes to their room and throughout your house. Here's some of the most important:
- Don't point fans directly at your baby, especially overnight.
- If using fans in your child or toddler's room, place them securely on a flat surface and keep them out of reach to prevent tipping or cord entanglement.
- Don't place your baby or child's bed right next to a window – although it's tempting to let the fresh air get to them easier, it's important to keep them away from potential hazards like falling blinds or curtains.
- Use window child locks or guards if you live in a high-rise building or have windows above ground level.
- Regularly check the fan's cords, blades, and other parts for any signs of damage or wear. Replace immediately if you do notice damage.
- Never leave your child unattended in a room with a fan running. Keep an eye on them at all times to ensure their safety.
- Be aware of the signs of overheating in babies.
Transseasonal Nursery Tips
With the transitional months of spring and autumn, there won't be as dramatic changes required in your little one's nursery, but there are still certainly some things to keep in mind.
As always, maintaining a safe, temperate environment is the goal.
Climate and outside temperatures can really fluctuate during these two seasons, so you may need to be more adaptive to the changing weather.
Here's what we recommend:
Nursery Room Updates for Spring
- Swap winter bedding for lighter layers: Replace duvets or fleece blankets with lighter cellular blankets and bedding.
- Introduce pastel tones and fresh nursery decor: Light greens, yellows, and white can brighten your nursery space. We love our White Rice and Dove Rice bedding colours for spring!
- Let in natural light: Clean windows and consider using sheer net curtains to allow more daylight.
- Declutter and deep clean: Spring is a great time to sanitise toys, wipe down surfaces, and reorganise nursery storage.
- Check for allergens: Spring pollen can cause irritations. Keep windows closed on high pollen count days.
- Switch to lighter sleepwear: Opt for short-sleeved bodysuits or lighter sleeping bags (1.0 tog) to suit warmer nights.
Nursery Room Updates for Autumn
- Layer up bedding: Introduce warmer options like fleece blankets or 2.5 tog sleeping bags to prepare for cooler nights.
- Introduce autumnal colours: Warm neutrals, rust, ochre, and forest greens can create a snug and seasonal look. Our Juniper and Terracotta bedding colourways are must-haves for a fall-themed nursery.
- Check heating safety: Ensure radiators or heaters are out of your child's reach and that room temperatures stay around 16-20°C.
- Boost ventilation: As windows stay closed more often, you could consider an air purifier to maintain air quality.
Conclusion
So, there you have it, a season-by-season guide to help you adapt your baby's nursery for different times of year and temperatures.
The overriding message is that your baby's safety and comfort should be the main priority.
Keep the room they sleep in at 16-20°C, dress them appropriately for the temperature, and always check their temperature to influence you as to how you best care for them.
Should you ever be concerned about your baby's temperature, always seek medical advice and do what's best for your little one.
Read more from our Journal…
For more conversations on baby sleep and nurseries, head to our Journal blog. We have tons of tips, advice, ideas, and more to guide you through this exciting stage in your baby's life.
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[1] https://study-uk.britishcouncil.org/why-study/about-uk/weather
[2] https://www.doubleglazingnetwork.com/blog/average-house-temperature/
