Discover how to dress a baby for bedtime with Ysabel Mora

Knowing how to dress a baby for sleep is one of those questions that shows up exactly when you most need peace: at the end of the day, your little one is ready to rest, and you are wondering whether they will be comfortable, whether they will feel cold, or whether they will wake up too warm. The truth is there is no “perfect uniform” for every night, but there are a few simple principles that help you get it right: consider the room temperature, choose soft and breathable fabrics, dress in light layers, and always prioritise safe sleep. (Lullaby Trust, 2025; American Academy of Pediatrics, 2022)

At Ysabel Mora, we like to see it this way: sleepwear should support rest, not get in the way. It should feel gentle on the skin, be easy to put on, and be designed so your baby can sleep comfortably and safely, night after night. (Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust, 2024; American Academy of Pediatrics, 2022)

Quick checklist: dressing your baby for sleep in 30 seconds

• Start with the room temperature: aim for a comfortable sleep space, typically 16-20°C where possible. (Lullaby Trust, 2025; Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust, 2024)
• Choose breathable basics (cotton is a safe bet for most babies). (Lullaby Trust, 2025)
• Use light layers you can add or remove if the heating changes overnight. (Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust, 2024)
• Check comfort by feeling your baby’s chest or the back of the neck, not hands and feet. (Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust, 2024)
• Keep the sleep space clear: avoid loose bedding and anything that could cover the face. (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2022; Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust, 2024)

Why is it important to dress your baby properly for sleep?

During sleep, your baby needs to keep a stable body temperature. If they are underdressed, they can wake up uncomfortable; if they are overdressed, they may sweat, become unsettled, and overheat. The goal is not “add more just in case”, but to find the right balance. (Lullaby Trust, 2025; American Academy of Pediatrics, 2022)

A practical way to guide yourself is to look at the room temperature. If the room feels mild, babies often need fewer layers than we imagine. If the room is cool, it is better to add warmth gradually, without heavy garments or awkward accessories. (Lullaby Trust, 2025; Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust, 2024)

If you are wondering how to keep a baby warm for sleep, think light, functional layers. They make it easier to adjust if the night changes or the heating runs hotter than usual. The right clothing can also reduce wake-ups caused by rubbing seams, tight fits, or overheating, helping you keep a calmer bedtime routine. (Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust, 2024; American Academy of Pediatrics, 2022)

One key detail: to work out whether your baby feels too cold or too warm, do not rely only on hands and feet. It is more useful to gently touch their chest or the back of their neck. If the skin feels hot or sweaty, they likely have one layer too many. (Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust, 2024)

What clothing is best for newborns?

In the first months, choosing the right clothing matters even more. A newborn’s skin is delicate, and their comfort depends a lot on soft, breathable fabrics, plus designs that avoid rough seams or annoying labels. (Lullaby Trust, 2025)

To get it right when dressing a newborn for sleep, these Ysabel Mora essentials work particularly well:

• Cotton bodysuit as the first layer: a staple for both mild and colder nights. Choose a short-sleeve or long-sleeve bodysuit depending on the season and the room temperature.

  

• Soft, comfortable sleepsuit: ideal to complete the outfit without squeezing. Make sure the fabric feels gentle and allows free movement.
  

  
• Long-sleeve bodysuits: if you are thinking about how to dress a baby for sleep, long-sleeve bodysuits are one of the most practical options because they work as a soft base layer and help keep the torso temperature steadier as the room changes. They are also a simple way to adjust warmth without overdoing it: pair them with a sleepsuit or romper, then add or remove layers based on how your baby feels. For newborns, they are especially helpful because they stay in place, reduce friction, and create a comfortable, secure set-up for night-time rest. (Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust, 2024; Lullaby Trust, 2025)
  
  
  
  

• First outfit sets are a very useful solution for the first nights, when you are still learning how to dress a newborn for sleep without going too light or too heavy. Because the pieces are designed to be easy to put on and adjust, they help you build simple, functional layers that adapt better to the room temperature. If you want a practical way to dress your baby for sleep from day one, this type of set supports comfort and peace of mind, especially in the newborn stage, when everything changes fast and rest matters more than ever. (Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust, 2024; Lullaby Trust, 2025)
  

  

• Baby blankets: they can be perfect for creating a calm moment before bedtime, such as cuddling after a bath or during a feed, and they can complement the evening routine without adding more clothes. However, for overnight sleep, follow safer sleep guidance and avoid loose bedding in the cot. Use blankets as part of the pre-sleep ritual or in supervised moments, and remove them from the sleep space when it is time for your baby to sleep. (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2022; Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust, 2024)
  

  

At this stage, it is best to prioritise natural, breathable materials like cotton, as they help manage warmth and are gentler on delicate skin. (Lullaby Trust, 2025)

And because real life includes middle-of-the-night nappy changes, practicality helps: easy fastenings, fabrics that handle frequent washes, and designs that do not make the moment harder than it already is.

If you want to look after this even more, our guide on washing and caring for newborn clothing can help. We explain how to keep garments soft and in great condition for sensitive skin: How to wash your newborn baby's clothes.

How to make sure your baby sleeps safely at night: practical tips

Safer sleep is not only about clothing, but also the environment. The goal is for your baby to rest comfortably and safely, avoiding items that can increase risk.

Practical recommendations that often help:

• Avoid too many layers: if you are choosing between “one more layer” or “one less”, adjust gradually. Overheating is a known risk factor to avoid in infant sleep. (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2022; Lullaby Trust, 2025)

• Prefer sleepwear over loose blankets: if you need extra warmth, consider a well-fitted baby sleeping bag rather than blankets that can move. (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2022; Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust, 2024)

• Choose snug but comfortable fits: not tight, not overly loose. Your baby should be able to move freely without clothing riding up or tangling.

• Prioritise soft fabrics: to reduce rubbing and prevent your baby waking up uncomfortable.

• If your baby is unwell, has a fever, or you notice anything unusual, the safest choice is to speak to your paediatrician or health professional. (Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust, 2024)

Choose sleepwear based on the season

Sleepwear changes throughout the year, and that is normal: summer nights are not the same as winter nights. The logic stays the same, though: check the room temperature and adjust layers accordingly. (Lullaby Trust, 2025; Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust, 2024)

• In summer, many nights can be as simple as a light bodysuit or a thin cotton sleepsuit, depending on the room temperature. (Lullaby Trust, 2025)

• In winter, a long-sleeve bodysuit plus a sleepsuit often works well, and if needed, a well-fitted baby sleeping bag can add warmth without loose bedding. (Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust, 2024; American Academy of Pediatrics, 2022)

If you want a more detailed guide to adjusting clothing by degrees and season, you can explore our dedicated article, designed to answer these exact questions: How to dress a baby based on temperature.

Signs your baby is uncomfortable

Sometimes the outfit looks “perfect” and your baby still wakes more than usual. That is why it helps to recognise common signs of discomfort:

Signs they may be too warm:

• Sweat at the back of the neck or damp hair. (Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust, 2024)

• Very flushed cheeks. (Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust, 2024)

• Restlessness, lots of movement, or frequent waking. (Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust, 2024)

Signs they may be too cold:

• Cool torso to the touch (chest or back). (Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust, 2024)

• Waking often and struggling to settle again. (Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust, 2024)

• Curling up or seeming uncomfortable in the cot. (Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust, 2024)

If you notice these signs, try adjusting a single layer (remove or add) and observe how your baby responds. Often, a small change makes a big difference. (Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust, 2024)

Ysabel Mora sleep essentials

If you want to keep things simple, it helps to have a small set of reliable basics that solve everyday needs. A functional night-time wardrobe is not about “having loads of clothes”, but about having pieces you happily repeat: the ones that wash well, feel soft, and make bedtime easier.

These essentials are especially useful for building a practical sleepwear rotation:

• Cotton bodysuits: a solid base layer to dress your baby and support comfort. Choose different sleeve lengths for each season.
  

  

• Soft rompers: comfortable, gentle, and designed for freedom of movement during the night.
  

  

• Easy-to-mix sets: so you can adjust layers without overthinking it, especially on nights when the temperature changes.
  

  

Dressing your baby for sleep does not have to be complicated. If you keep one idea, let it be this: check the room temperature, choose breathable fabrics, adjust in light layers, and observe your baby to find their personal “just right”. With those steps, you will answer the usual questions about how to dress a baby for sleep or how to keep a newborn warm at night with more confidence and less stress. If you want sleepwear that supports rest from the very first day, explore the bodysuits and rompers in Ysabel Mora and help your baby sleep well at night without constantly worrying about whether they are too cold or too warm. (Lullaby Trust, 2025; Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust, 2024; American Academy of Pediatrics, 2022)