What do newborns sleep in?

My husband and I are bringing home our newborn baby soon and I am very confused about what clothes, bedding and temperature she should be sleeping in.


When she first arrives home, she will be sleeping in our bedroom in a cot. My husband and I currently sleep with the air-conditioner on at about 24C. Does anyone know if this temperature is suitable?


Depending on temperature, what clothing is she supposed to wear (long/short sleeves) and what blankets/sheets???


Most books I have read give me advice for American and British climates ("Make sure that your baby is not too cold") which seems inappropriate for Hong Kong's climate. I am also understandably worried about SIDS and want to make sure her bedding is not too fussy and complicated.


I would be extremely grateful to hear from anyone with advice and learn what is the appropriate bedding/clothing and temperature for a sleeping newborn.

The basic rule is, as cara says, that they should wear what you wear plus one. Also, don't worry if the hands are cool. If the hands are warm baby is probably too warm, meaning uncomfortable. Cool temps in the room make for better sleep. Check the temperature around the neck instead. It should be warm. The important thing is to keep the core of the body warm. The feet should also not get too cold as this is uncomfortable..


SIDS: Apart from a sheet that should be hard to dislodge (try fasteners on the bottom of the mattress), there should be NO actual bedding during the first year. No blankets, no pillows, nothing. All to decrease the risk of SIDS. Grobags are fine and a good way of circumventing the "no bedding" rule. The mattress should be stiff and allow breathing through. Soft mattress means baby's face can get stuck in a fold.


As cara says 17-18 is hard to achieve here for most of the year. Our babies slept in pajamas and grobag (grobags rule) in the US. With the higher temps here, we keep the room at around 23-24 C plus we have a ceiling fan. Just pajamas is fine for summer, or even diaper and t-shirt if it gets really warm. In winter, grobag + pajamas.


Get pajamas with feet. Babies are expert at kicking socks off.



Finally, don't worry too much. You'll figure it out with some practice. If your baby looks all red and uncomfortable, he probably is. Don't worry about trying things out, within reason.

don't worry too much. being a mother, you'll know what's best for your baby. follow what cara and axptguy38 says, but also judge ur own intuition and common sense.

if u are attentive to your baby's cues, it's very unlikely that u can hurt your baby. so dont' be afraid to try different things until you and your babe find what's best for you and for him/her.

If you have a newborn, most books recommend swaddling the baby in a swaddling muslin or blanket to keep them snug and keep arms down. We did not use a grobag until the baby was 6 months old but they are very good once the baby is big enough.


SB2

Swaddling is all well and good, but while many babies love it, some dislike it. Ours hated it. Your results may vary.

Ours hated swaddling too, at least after the first couple of weeks. If you have yoru baby in a light sleeper or jumpsuit, and then a light swaddle, with the aircon it should be ok. My son who is over half a year now sleeps in a footed sleeper but no blanket. If his sleeper has no feet, I throw a light blanket over him. but I would stay away from any thick bedding like comforters, pillows etc.