Hot and cold – helping your baby sleep comfortably
We all know how much temperature affects sleep. Too hot and you’re tossing the covers off, too cold and you’re hunting for another blanket. For babies, who are still learning to regulate both their body temperature and sleep patterns, the impact can be even greater. If they’re too warm or chilly, they might struggle to drift off – or wake more often through the night.
The good news is you can help keep your baby at a comfortable temperature with the right mix of clothing, bedding, and room adjustments, making it easier for them to settle and stay asleep.
Why temperature matters
Our bodies can regulate internal temperature, but during deep sleep, that process slows down. This means a room that’s too hot or too cold can cause night wakings. For babies, the ideal room temperature is around 18°C – it might sound cool, but a lower core temperature is linked to better sleep, while warmer conditions often mean more restlessness.
A warm bath before bed can also help. While it seems backwards, the water on your baby’s skin will cool them down after the bath, helping them start the night at a comfortable temperature.
Ways to manage temperature
Heaters, fans, air conditioning, and the right bedding can all help keep things steady through the night. If you have a thermostat, set it to 18°C and let it do the work. If not, you can buy a plug-in thermostat for your heater to help maintain consistency.
Merino – your sleep-time secret
When it comes to baby sleepwear, merino wool is a year-round winner. Naturally breathable and temperature-regulating, it helps keep your baby comfortable in both warm and cool conditions – and research shows it can even help them sleep longer.
In winter, use merino layers under a merino sleeping bag or sleepwalker. In summer, lighter cotton or merino sleepwear with a lighter weight sleeping bag is usually enough, depending on the temperature where you are. Sleeping bags are especially useful as they can’t be kicked off like blankets, keeping your baby covered all night. Choose one with a weight (or TOG rating) that suits the season.
Spotting temperature troubles
Signs your baby might be too hot:
Waking often
Sweaty neck or back
Damp hair
Rapid, shallow breathing
If you notice these, remove a layer of clothing, switch to a lighter sleeping bag, improve airflow, or lower the room temperature. If your baby seems uncomfortably hot, check for fever and use a cool, damp cloth on their forehead and back.
Signs your baby might be too cold:
Moving around the cot more than usual
Rolling onto their stomach during sleep
Frequent short naps
Early morning waking (around 5am, when body temperature naturally dips)
If this happens, add a layer, switch to a warmer sleeping bag, or adjust the room temperature.
Getting the temperature right won’t solve every sleep challenge, but it’s one piece of the puzzle that can make nights smoother for everyone.
Welcome Your Baby with Dimples' Pure, Soft, and Natural Classic Merino Collection.
Introduce your precious little one to the world in style with Dimples' timeless Classic Merino Collection.
Our Sleep Pods are crafted from 100% Merino wool, offering natural breathability and ventilation to keep your baby comfortable through the night. Soft against delicate skin and temperature-regulating by nature, merino provides peace of mind for parents and lasting comfort for little ones.
Designed especially for newborns, the Sleep Pod encourages natural movement to support healthy hip development. The clever arms-up design allows babies to self-soothe by touching their face or sucking on their hands, all while feeling snug and secure. It’s the perfect balance between freedom and comfort, helping to ease the startle reflex and promote longer, more restful sleep.
With an easy zip-up style, the Sleep Pod takes the stress out of swaddling. It creates a cozy, womb-like environment without the hassle of wrapping, making it ideal for parents who want a simple, safe, and effective sleep solution.
Welcome Your Baby with Dimples' Pure, Soft, and Natural Classic Merino Collection.
Introduce your precious little one to the world in style with Dimples' timeless Classic Merino Collection.
Our Sleep Pods are crafted from 100% Merino wool, offering natural breathability and ventilation to keep your baby comfortable through the night. Soft against delicate skin and temperature-regulating by nature, merino provides peace of mind for parents and lasting comfort for little ones.
Designed especially for newborns, the Sleep Pod encourages natural movement to support healthy hip development. The clever arms-up design allows babies to self-soothe by touching their face or sucking on their hands, all while feeling snug and secure. It’s the perfect balance between freedom and comfort, helping to ease the startle reflex and promote longer, more restful sleep.
With an easy zip-up style, the Sleep Pod takes the stress out of swaddling. It creates a cozy, womb-like environment without the hassle of wrapping, making it ideal for parents who want a simple, safe, and effective sleep solution.
Welcome Your Newborn into the world with Dimples' Classic Merino Baby Collection!
Dress your precious baby in the timeless elegance of Dimples' Classic Merino Collection. Crafted from pure, soft, and natural Merino wool, these garments provide year-round warmth while ensuring the utmost comfort and safety for your little one. Those first photos will capture your baby's irresistible charm, adorned with Dimples' signature hand embroidery. Elevate your baby's wardrobe with this exquisite collection - the perfect gift for your precious newborn.
Our Beanies, designed for comfort and warmth, are an essential addition to your baby's outfit. Especially tailored to meet the needs of newborns and young infants, these Beanies are expertly designed to stay securely on your baby's head, eliminating any worries about them riding up or slipping off. Trusted and beloved by parents over the years, the Dimples Beanie is a must-have accessory for every baby
How to help keep your baby safe
Entering the world of parenthood comes with its fair share of anxiety, from wondering how different your new life will be, to the worry of being responsible for a new little person. Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), previously known as ‘cot death’, is the unexplained death (typically during sleep) of a seemingly healthy baby. While SIDS is a very real threat, with a little knowledge you can reduce many known contributing factors.
Back to sleep
You’ll no doubt hear this on repeat from midwives and Plunket nurses as soon as your little babe comes along and for very good reason. Babies who sleep on their stomachs are much more at risk of SIDS. While it’s not 100% understood exactly why experts believe it could be about re-inhaling stale air. Once your baby can happily roll over by themself, you don’t need to worry about sleeping positions any more.
Make it a strictly smoke-free zone
Smoking (and exposure to second-hand smoke) during pregnancy not only puts your baby at risk of health issues but increases the risk of SIDS too. It’s thought that nicotine can wreak havoc on a mechanism in their brain which senses a lack of oxygen and triggers breathing to start (called auto-resuscitation). So make sure it’s strictly a smoke-free zone when you’re pregnant and when your little one arrives, and that your family and friends are on board too.
Welcome your new (temporary) roommate
It’s widely recommended that your new babe bunks in with you (in their own safe sleeping space) for at least the first four to six months. This isn’t always practical for light sleepers, in which case a good
breathing movement monitor
set up in their nursery will give you peace of mind.
A safe spot for slumber
While room-sharing is recommended, bed-sharing isn’t. It can be so tempting to savour that extra time snuggled up in bed with your new babe, but bulky duvets, pillows and even an adult rolling can spell danger for little ones. Setting your baby up with their own safe space (like a portable
Moses basket
) within arm’s reach is your best option.
Be prepared to be suddenly jolted awake and find yourself sitting up in bed or a nursing chair with your baby in your arms – sleep deprivation can really grab hold of you in the early days. Sleeping with a baby on a chair or sofa is very dangerous, so to avoid this as much as possible, use the middle-of-the-night feeds as opportunities to clear out and edit that day’s photos on your phone (no doubt there will be plenty!) Your phone’s blue light will help keep you alert.
Baby, it’s cold outside
It’s important to make sure the room where your baby is sleeping is at a comfortable temperature. Bundling up babies at all times is an outdated theory – overheating is another substantial SIDS risk. Higher temperatures can put babies into a deeper slumber, making it difficult for them to wake if their breathing is obstructed. The recommended room temperature for a baby is 16 to 20 degrees, with around 18 degrees being ideal. To check your baby’s temperature, feel his back or tummy – it should feel warm. A great way to check the temperature of their nursery is with a combined nightlight/temperature sensor like the
Moon Nightlight
.
Blankets (and everything else) be gone
All those cute blankets, animal-shaped pillows and snuggly little toys that create a cosy-looking cot will need to stay in storage until your baby’s first birthday. Until then, all you need is a fitted sheet and wearable bedding like a Merino Sleep Pod to keep them warm. The key is to avoid anything that may cover their face and restrict breathing.
Breastfeed if possible
Experts aren’t sure why, but breastfeeding can significantly lower the risk of SIDS. The theory is that breastfeeding promotes the sucking and swallowing action, which develops muscles that keep the airway open while boosting brain development. Breastfed babies are generally lighter sleepers, too. This might not sound like a benefit at 2 am, but anything that helps reduce SIDS is a big plus.
A big tick for pacifiers
There tends to be negativity around using pacifiers, but they can not only be life-saving for unsettled babies during car trips, but also literally life-saving. Once again, it’s a bit of an unknown how pacifiers help, but there is a clear link – babies who use pacifiers are at lower risk of SIDS. As with breastfeeding, this could be due to more developed sucking and swallowing muscles that help keep airways open. If you’re breastfeeding, wait until this is well established (at least 4-6 weeks) before introducing a good quality
silicone pacifier
.
Do what you can to reduce the risk
While there are still a lot of unknowns with SIDS, being armed with what you can do to reduce as many risks as possible should put your mind at ease. Keep in mind that the risk of SIDS decreases after six months and is pretty rare after a baby’s first birthday.
As a parent there always seems to be something to worry about! A common concern in these cooler months is baby’s temperature and how to hit the ‘Goldilocks’ sweet spot – not too cold; not too hot!
Monitoring baby
Babies can’t regulate their own body temperature for the first six weeks, so it’s important to keep an eye on them and adjust their clothing and room temperature to suit.
First up – what is normal? Baby’s temperature should be around 37 degrees Celsius. A mild fever is a temperature higher than 38ºC and a high fever is anything over 39ºC.
A thermometer is a great addition to your home first aid kit – giving you a quick and accurate temperature reading. These will typically get used a lot throughout childhood, making them a great investment. Some great options include digital forehead thermometers for quick and contactless checks such as Oricom's Non Contact Infrared Thermometer or Nuk's Baby Flash Thermometer.
It’s a good idea to also take your baby’s temperature on a day when they’re content and well, so you can check their ‘normal’.
Babies under three months with a mild fever and babies between three and six months with a high fever (over 39ºC) should be taken to the doctor.
Another way to gauge baby’s temperature is to gently touch the back of their head or tummy – it should feel warm. (While they offer easier access, don’t go by their hands or feet, as these extremities are often cooler.)
Ideal temperature for a sleep space
It’s important to make sure the room where your baby is sleeping is at a comfortable temperature - around 18-20ºC.
If you have a heater, heat pump, or air conditioning with a thermostat, you can set it to 18ºC and it will flick on and off as the temperature changes throughout the night.
Clothing and bedding choices are key
Merino is a natural wonder that’s perfect year-round – helping with temperature regulation. It has little pockets of air that keep warmth in on cold days, and cool baby down on a hot day.
Another great natural fibre for baby is organic cotton . It can eliminate moisture build up between clothes and your baby’s skin, to keep your them comfortable and dry.
Clothes for when you’re out and about
For daytime, opt for layers so you can add or remove a layer to keep baby comfortable - again sticking with cotton and merino.
If your baby falls asleep in the pram or car - yay! But both spaces can heat up and get airless quickly – so don’t forget to monitor their temperature. Think about ways to provide shade and airflow – and don’t leave them asleep in a car alone.
Bath time
Ideal water temperature for a bath is 37°C. It should feel warm and soothing, but not too hot for delicate skin. You can test the water with the inside of your wrist, or make it super easy with a Oricom Duck Bath Thermometer or the colour-changing Pebbly.
Dressing Your Baby for Sleep – A Seasonal Guide
Knowing how to dress your baby at bedtime can feel like a bit of a guessing game – especially when the seasons start to change. Should you add another layer? Is the room too cool? Are their hands meant to be that cold?
To help take the guesswork out, we’ve put together a simple guide to dressing your little one for sleep using our Dimples sleeping bags and sleepwalkers, without any additional blankets.
A Gentle Reminder
Every baby is different, so this guide is just that – a guide. The best way to check if your baby is at a comfortable temperature is by feeling the back of their neck. It should feel warm, not hot or sweaty. Hands and feet can feel cooler and aren't always a reliable indicator.
Baby’s body temperature naturally dips during the early morning hours, so if your little one is waking more often than usual, it might be worth checking if they’re feeling a bit chilly.
And remember – when it comes to sleep, it’s safer for babies to be slightly cool rather than too warm.
Choosing the Right Layers
When dressing your baby, natural fibres like Merino wool or cotton are best. These breathable fabrics help regulate temperature and keep your baby comfortable through the night.
Merino in particular is a year-round superstar – its clever fibres trap warm air on cooler nights and allow heat to escape on warmer ones, making it ideal for all seasons. At Dimples, all of our garments are designed especially for keeping little ones cosy and safe.
We recommend having at least two sleeping bags or sleepwalkers on hand for each season, so you’re always prepared for the inevitable midnight messes.
Ideal Room Temperature
The ideal temperature for a baby’s room is between 16–20°C.
If you’re using a heater or heat pump, setting the thermostat to 18°C will help maintain a steady climate through the night without overheating.
Monitoring the Room
Many baby monitors display room temperature, which can be a helpful reference.Alternatively, something like the Shnuggle Moon Nightlight can be used to keep an eye on the room temperature. It uses a handy colour display to show whether the room is sitting within the ideal range.
Signs Your Baby May Be Too Warm
Waking more frequently than usual
Sweaty back or neck
Damp hair
Shallow or rapid breathing
If you notice these signs, try removing a layer or adjusting the room temperature. A cool, damp cloth on the back of their neck can help if they’re feeling very warm – and always check for fever if you’re concerned.
Signs Your Baby May Be Too Cold
Restless sleep or unusual movement around the cot
Rolling onto their stomach
Catnapping during the day
Waking around 5am
If any of these sound familiar, consider adding a layer, using a warmer sleeping bag, or gently warming the room.
Dressing your baby for sleep doesn’t have to be stressful. With a few key pieces and a little trial and error, you’ll find the sweet spot that keeps them cosy and safe – all night long 😴
Explore our full sleepwear range to find breathable, natural fibre options for every season.And if you’re ever unsure, we’re here to help.
Breastfeeding Made Easier: Tips for Common Challenges
Before your baby arrives, it's easy to imagine that breastfeeding will happen instinctively. While that can be true for some families, it's perfectly normal if it takes a little longer to find your rhythm.
Many new mums experience challenges like sore nipples, engorgement, latch difficulties or concerns about milk supply in those first few weeks. If that sounds familiar, you're certainly not alone.
At Dimples, one of the things we hear most often is, "I thought breastfeeding would just come naturally." The reality is that for many mums, it takes a little time, plenty of patience, and the right support.
Thankfully, many breastfeeding challenges are only temporary, and with the right guidance they often become much easier to manage.
If you decide to supplement or switch to formula, that's okay too. A fed baby and a supported mum are what matter most. But if breastfeeding is something you'd like to continue, know that many mums find things improve with time, patience and the right support.
You've got this.
Here’s a gentle guide to some of the common hurdles and how to help overcome them:
1. Engorged Breasts
A few days after giving birth, you may notice your breasts suddenly feel hard, heavy, warm, and tender as your milk comes in. Although it can feel quite uncomfortable, this is a completely normal part of your body adjusting to your baby's feeding needs.
The good news is that engorgement is usually temporary. As your milk supply begins to regulate and your baby establishes a regular feeding pattern, the fullness will often settle.
What can help
Feed your baby regularly, even if it's only for a short time.
If your breasts are too full for your baby to latch comfortably, try hand expressing a small amount of milk first to soften the breast.
A cold compress after feeds and gentle massage can also help relieve discomfort.
💛 A favourite with our team: Many mums find the Bare Mum Hot + Cold Breast Therapy Packs incredibly soothing. Warm them before feeding to help encourage milk flow, or chill them afterwards to reduce swelling and ease discomfort.
And here's a little old-school wisdom that's been passed between mums for generations: chilled cabbage leaves tucked inside your bra between feeds have long been used to help soothe engorgement. It might sound unusual, but plenty of mums still swear by it!
2. Latch Issues
A little tenderness during the first few days of breastfeeding is common, but ongoing or severe pain isn't something you should simply put up with. A painful feed is often a sign that your baby isn't latching deeply enough, making feeding uncomfortable for you and less effective for them.
What can help
Try encouraging your baby to open their mouth wide by gently brushing your nipple against their upper lip. Position them with their nose level with your nipple and bring your baby to your breast, rather than leaning towards them. A good latch usually means your baby's mouth is wide open, their chin is pressed into your breast, and your nipple sits comfortably towards the back of their mouth.
If breastfeeding is still painful after the first week or two, or your baby continues to struggle with latching, it's worth reaching out to your midwife or a lactation consultant. Sometimes a simple adjustment, or identifying something like a tongue tie, can make all the difference.
3. Cracked or Bleeding Nipples
Sore or cracked nipples are very common in the early weeks of breastfeeding. They can be caused by a shallow latch, frequent feeding while your skin adjusts to this new rhythm, or even overuse of your breast pump.
What can help
Applying a nourishing nipple balm after every feed can help soothe and protect the skin, while hydrogel pads can provide instant cooling relief for particularly sore nipples.
One combination our team often recommends is Pure Mama Nipple Butter together with Silverette Cups. The nipple butter helps moisturise and soothe damaged skin, while the Silverette Cups protect sensitive nipples between feeds, allowing them to heal naturally.
If your nipples aren't improving after several days, it's important to have your baby's latch assessed, as treating the cause is just as important as treating the symptoms.
4. Low Milk Supply
Worrying about milk supply is incredibly common, especially during the first few weeks when your baby may seem to want to feed constantly. The reassuring news is that frequent feeding, cluster feeding and night waking are all normal behaviours and don't usually mean you're not producing enough milk.
True low milk supply is less common, but if your baby isn't gaining weight well or has very few wet nappies, it's important to speak with your midwife, GP or lactation consultant.
What can help
If your healthcare provider is happy that everything is progressing normally but you'd like to naturally support your milk supply, try feeding frequently, pumping between feeds if appropriate, drinking plenty of water and eating a balanced diet.
Many mums also enjoy adding lactation cookies or a lactation blend to their daily routine. While they're not a guaranteed way to increase milk supply, many mums enjoy them as part of their breastfeeding routine alongside regular feeding, good hydration and a balanced diet.
Shop our lactation support range here
5. Inverted or Flat Nipples
You may never have paid much attention to the shape of your nipples before breastfeeding, but flat or inverted nipples can sometimes make it more difficult for your baby to latch.
The good news is that many mums with flat or inverted nipples go on to breastfeed successfully.
What can help
Speak with your midwife or a lactation consultant, who may recommend using a nipple shield or expressing a small amount of milk before feeding to gently draw the nipple out.
6. Blocked Ducts
A blocked milk duct often feels like a tender lump beneath the skin and usually occurs when milk isn't draining effectively. This can happen if you've missed a feed, your bra is too tight, or your breast hasn't emptied fully.
What can help
Continue feeding regularly, particularly on the affected side, to help keep milk moving. Applying warmth before feeding and gently massaging the area towards the nipple can also help encourage the blockage to clear. Most blocked ducts resolve within a day or two but if you are experiencing alot of pain and unable to breastfeed, please see your GP.
7. Mastitis
Sometimes a blocked duct can develop into mastitis, or bacteria can enter through cracked skin, leading to a breast infection. Mastitis often causes flu-like symptoms, including fever, chills and body aches, along with a painful, red area on the breast.
What can help
If you think you may have mastitis, it's important to see your GP promptly, as antibiotics are often needed.
Although feeding may feel uncomfortable or sore, continuing to breastfeed or express milk can actually help speed up recovery by keeping the breast well drained. Warm or cool compresses between feeds may also provide some relief.
💛 Don't try to push through - Many mums think they can "tough it out", but mastitis really needs medical treatment. The sooner you seek help, the quicker you'll usually recover.
You Are Not Alone - and You're Doing an Amazing Job
If there's one thing we'd love every new mum to know, it's this: asking for help is a strength, not a weakness!
For over 30 years, we've had the privilege of supporting hundreds of New Zealand families through pregnancy, newborn life and beyond, and we've learned that almost every breastfeeding journey is different, and has its own ups and downs.
And if, despite your best efforts, breastfeeding doesn't work out the way you'd hoped, that's okay too. Whether you breastfeed, formula feed or combine the two, what matters most is that your baby is fed, loved and thriving.
Be kind to yourself, trust your instincts, and don't be afraid to lean on your midwife, GP, lactation consultant or the people around you. Sometimes the right support is all it takes to help you find your confidence.
❤️
Shop our full range of breastfeeding support and essential items here
