Baby, it's cold inside! Suggestions for cold weather sleepwear?

[Laurski]

Howdy all!

I'm looking for suggestions as to what to put on my 13 month old DD at night to keep her warm.  We live in an apartment, and the building heat hasn't yet been turned on, and with the temps as low as they've been the past few nights, our apartment is cold!  She's been waking up in the wee hours of the morning more lately, which I think is attributable to her being chilly. 

So, I'm wondering what y'all put on your little ones to keep them from getting to frosty at night.  She currently wears the following to bed (and is still cold!):

1. Short-sleeved onesie

2. Kicky Pants long sleeved PJs

3. Sweatpants

4. Short-sleeved T shirt (sometimes, depending on the temp)

I may swap out the the short sleeved onesie for a long sleeved one (same with the T shirt), but I'm wondering what other solutions you wise mamas might have.  Anyone have any specific suggestions that might help me keep my little bean warmer?

(Oh, and I realize some folks might suggest just co-sleeping as a way to keep DD warm; we've tried co-sleeping and it just doesn't work for us, b/c she won't sleep.  Such a bummer!)

Thanks everyone!

[Honey693]

Fleecy footy jammies?  You can layer onesies under them.

[sarahr]

I'm thinking of getting this for my toddler: http://www.amazon.com/HALO-SleepSack-Micro-Fleece-Wearable-Blanket/dp/B000G0JF8M/ref=pd_sim_ba4

[Anna Phor]

We do the fleece footie pjs plus the sleepsack, linked to above (although I need to get the big one with the feet).

[CookAMH]

I have, when it's been cold enough, put two pairs of fleece footed PJs on (we usually buy Carter's).  But, most winters I put a cotton pair of PJs with fleece sleeper suit overtop.

[mum5]

yay!! Thanks for the link. I had no idea what I was going to use this winter for ds. His room gets colder than the other bedrooms, and he moves alot when he sleeps, so blankets would not work that well.

Any ideas on the size? He is 32lbs and 35". I am guessing a 4T.

[andromedajulie]

We also use the Halo fleece sleepsack and it's great. Because it's sleeveless, the fleece doesn't overheat DD (14 mo). When it gets really cold, I also put her in wool pants and a cotton sweatshirt or a light wool sweater.

[Snapdragon]

I just ordered a wool sleep sack for my 18 month old- it said it is not supposed to be itchy so I am willing to try it- I think there are a few wool ones out there. For now we use pajamas and then 2 blankets (which do get tangled but he sleeps in a side carred crib so I                                                                   straighten them in the night some)

[Adaline'sMama]

We do fleece footie pjs, but they cant be reworn. They inevitably smell like pee every morning. I also have a slight feeling that they might be the cause of her current diaper rash, as they dont breathe at all. I hate them, but DD will just not tolerate a sleep sack.

[Hannah32]

I think babies that age are old enough to have blankets. My 15 month old son sleeps in fleece footies, but there are also two blankets in the crib. He very much enjoys pulling them up and over himself. IMO, sleep sacks are for the very young. 

[Beebsmom]

My Aiden-bean is almost 13 months old now, and he has ALWAYS had a blanket.  I also sew my own fleece sheets, and the blanket he sleeps with is 2-ply fleece.  He wears cotton long sleeved footy pajamas only because the fleece sheet and blanket.  I only let him use a blanket because he has always loved sleeping in one as we co-slept with one from the start and we've never had any tangling issues.  He just these past weeks started sleeping with a little pillow...and all those things combined makes for a VERY snuggly warm nest!  You may want to try some fleece or flannel sheets to help stay warm.  Maybe layer a fleece blanket under the sheet to keep heat in.  I've never been a big believer in all the hard cold ways experts want babies to sleep. I'm overly cautious about some things...but sleeping is SO important I'll do whatever I think is safe and snuggly for my little guy!  My vote is try a nice fleecy blankie!

[IngaAnne]

We have a old drafty house. Not sure how cold your place is, but in the winter our thermostat reads in the upper 60s, with a constant cold draft and sometimes ice on the inside of the windows which makes it feel colder.  My husband and I sleep under 1-2 comforters plus a fleece blanket and long pjs, so I always worry about my son being warm enough. He seemed just fine last winter. I think our room is draftier than his. ... Just sharing that info for temperature comparison.

Last winter, my son wore a onesie, cotton 2pc long pants/long sleeve pjs, socks, and fleece footed pjs every night to bed. I think the fleece is better than a regular sweatshirt at keeping in the warmth and a whole body sack (like fleece footed pjs) keep all the body's heat together which makes you warmer (like how mittens with your fingers all together keep your fingers warmer than gloves with separated fingers). I also put a flannel sheet on his crib. He absolutely refuses any sort of blanket.

[Honey693]

Originally Posted by Hannah32 

I think babies that age are old enough to have blankets. My 15 month old son sleeps in fleece footies, but there are also two blankets in the crib. He very much enjoys pulling them up and over himself. IMO, sleep sacks are for the very young. 

A  lot of kids kick blankets off though.  DD1 didn't learn how to keep her own blanket on until she was 2 months shy of 3 (so a month ago lol).  Before then she'd just wake up cold and angry.  

[Snapdragon]

I received my wool sleep sack today and am returning it- too itchy! I may try a cotton sleepsack or just stick with blankets.

[sarahr]

Originally Posted by Honey693 

A  lot of kids kick blankets off though.  DD1 didn't learn how to keep her own blanket on until she was 2 months shy of 3 (so a month ago lol).  Before then she'd just wake up cold and angry.  

Yes, same here. I'm perfectly comfortable with DS sleeping under a blanket in terms of safety, but he moves around too much for it to be effective.

[foxsmama]

DS sleeps in a pair of long sleeve, long pants cotton pajamas, socks or bootie slippers, and a fleece sweatshirt. He won't stay covered with a blanket, so I put a microplush blankie under him, and one over him. He kicks the top one off at night, but with one under he is always curled up in a warm little 'nest' by morning.

[cristeen]

The previous 2 winters, before we had heat in our house, DS spent the winter sleeping in a layer of wool next to the skin under a layer of fleece.  Usually this meant a wool tee shirt (long or short sleeved), longies (love Babyology), wool socks, and a fleece blanket sleeper (like Carter's or The Children's Place).  The wool is great under the fleece because it will absorb any sweat if he overheated (fleece is non-absorbent), and it's also an excellent insulator, but it's not a great wind (draft) breaker (which is what the fleece is for).  We installed central heat this spring, so right now he's just wearing fleece and I'm discovering he's far sweatier in just fleece.  I'm not sure I can find wool in his size anymore though. 

[Laurski]

Thanks everyone for your excellent suggestions!

I was hoping to avoid the footed fleece pjs, since DD seemed to overheat in those last winter, but maybe now that she's a bit older we'll try again.  I wish we could use sleep sacks, but I think she would freak out if her legs felt at all restricted.  Blankets are an interesting idea, but I think she may be too much of an active sleeper to keep them on.  I'm definitely going to look into wool top/pants...

Thanks again!  I really appreciate your input...

[SeattleRain]

I'm really interested in this also. I'm trying to avoid flame retardants, which are used in fleece sleepwear like the Carters footies, etc. but I'm not finding a great alternative. Last year, Daniel was in 3-6 months and 6-12 month sizes and it was easy to find thick cotton velour sleepers, but they don't make those too much for toddlers. He wears a 12-18 months and I'd love if someone had some suggestions.

[Jewels*]

I just ordered a lambskin for DD to sleep on and these cozy pjs...

http://www.greenmountainorganics.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=54_58&products_id=559

I'm hoping to keep the cold Canadian winter drafts away from her this winter.