Thankfully there are now very clear guidelines and advice for parents on how to dress babies at night, plus super helpful baby products such as nursery thermometers and sleeping bags. Always remove hats and extra clothing as soon as you're indoors or get into a warm car, bus or train – even if it means waking your baby. At night

When putting a baby down to sleep in cold temperatures dress them in a long sleeve and full leg sleepsuit as well as a bodysuit (a vest with short sleeves and poppers that fix over the nappy) underneath. Bodysuit – These come in both short and long-sleeved options. For sleep I always used the short sleeves and baby either wears it alone with a nappy in very hot temperatures, or underneath a sleepsuit in very cold temperatures. These usually fasten with poppers. Swaddle blanket – Many parents choose to swaddle their babies as it can help them to settle easier. You can buy pre-made swaddles that are easy to fasten around baby, or learn how to swaddle your baby in a normal baby blanket. Always use a light, cotton or muslin blanket to avoid baby overheating. or less – Sleepsuit, bodysuit (vest) and 3.5Tog sleeping bag or 2-3 blankets (one blanket folded in half to cover baby counts as two).

How to dress your baby for bed

My first child was a summer baby. On really hot nights she had a really thin sleeping bag (0.2 tog I think) with just a nappy underneath” - Experience of Mumsnet user RandomQuest Dress baby for the lowest temperature their room will hit overnight. This can help to avoid them waking because they have become cold. On warmer evenings I would put my babies down to sleep under a lightweight cellular blanket, then when I went to bed a few hours later add one more lightweight blanket to keep them warm through the night. There are various signs that your baby may be too hot during the night. These include flushed cheeks, rapid breathing or noticeably wet/damp hair or sweat on the forehead. If you can reach in to feel baby's chest (hands/feet aren't reliable), they should just feel comfortable, not too hot. Always err on the cool side, they'll let you know if they're too cold but too hot is a SIDS risk.” - Advice from Mumsnet user EyeDrops AAP. 2016b. Tips for dressing your baby. www.healthychildren.org Opens a new window [Accessed April 2017]

You can try and keep the room cool by keeping windows closed during the day, only opening them once the outdoor temperature has dropped. If using a fan, The Lullaby Trust recommend that this is constantly moving/rotating and not directly facing the cot. NHS. 2015a. How can I keep my baby safe during hot weather? NHS Choices, Common Health Questions. www.nhs.uk Opens a new window [Accessed April 2017] As parents we may also worry about our baby getting too cold, which could mean they are more likely to wake up due to discomfort. The advice is one more layer than you're wearing.” - Suggested by Mumsnet user TheLovelinessOfDemons Baby sleeping bags or swaddles This is in part because the warnings about overheating are scary. And also because you can’t have a discussion with your baby about whether they’re comfortable or not.

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This isn’t surprising. The cost of living crisis means our central heating may be on less often or lower than normal. Combined with changing seasons, heatwaves, cold snaps or even the uncharacteristically mild days we’ve experienced this autumn and winter means adjusting to the UK climate can make getting the perfect bedtime outfit less than straightforward.