It is biologically normal for your baby to appear more unsettled or restless in the second half of the night, as they have much lighter and more frequent sleep cycles 🔄. However, another factor to consider is their room temperature 🌡️ - particularly during Winter now that temperatures are dropping below 10°C overnight in Victoria ❄️
Therefore, if your baby seems to be more unsettled than usual around this time, it could* be an indication that they are feeling cold, since their core body temperature is typically at its lowest around 3:00am 🥶. Even in a temperature controlled room, keep in mind that heating systems often shut-off once they reach the desired temperature, requiring the room to cool down before heating up again 🔥
Alongside heating, we recommend investing in a TOG-rated onesie and sleeping bag to ensure that your baby is dressed appropriately for the coldest* part of the night 🌙. As a general guide, using a 3.5 TOG sleeping bag along with a 1.0 onesie and a singlet is suitable for temperatures dropping below 14°C overnight as per ergopouch’s “What to Wear Guide”.
Keep in mind that it is normal for your baby’s extremities to be slightly cooler than their body 🖐️. For a more accurate assessment of their core body temperature, feel their chest or the back of their neck to see if it is sweaty or cool to the touch.
If despite having a temperature-controlled room your baby continues to wake frequently overnight and you need support in consolidating their sleep, book a consultation or download our sleep essentials guide via our website to help restore sleep for you and your family 💫🩷🌸