7 things you should never do to keep your baby warm this winter

As temperatures tumble and fuel bills soar, you may be looking for cost-effective ways to keep your child warm. But what works for you might not be safe for your baby.

Kate Holmes of The Lullaby Trust, and Ashley Martin, public health advisor for RoSPA (the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents), explain what to avoid this winter if you're trying to stay warm without whacking up the thermostat. 

We also share some of the safe ways to keep your baby comfortable in the cold and explain how to check your baby's temperature.  

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1. Don't give your baby a hot water bottle

A hot water bottle might seem like a cheap way to warm up your baby, but you run the risk of them getting too hot or even being burned.

Babies' fragile skin burns deeper, more quickly and at lower temperatures than an adult's, so even a hot water bottle with a cover might cause serious damage - never use them for babies aged under 12 months.

Avoid warming beds with wheat bags, too, as these can reach high temperatures that may result in burns. The grain could still be heating up after you've microwaved it and, if tucked under bedding, could potentially start a fire, too. 

Although some wheat bags look like plush toys, RoSPA's Ashley Martin says: 'These are more for adults and shouldn't be left where young children can come into contact with them.'

What to do instead

Dress infants properly for bed so they're already warm when you put them down to sleep. This means a vest and a sleepsuit with long legs and sleeves, followed by a baby sleeping bag, which should be chosen according to room temperature and not the outdoor temperature.

If the nursery temperature is between 14°C and 16°C, use a 2.5-tog sleeping bag with a vest and a sleepsuit, or a 3.5-tog with just a sleepsuit. If it's under 14°C, use a 3.5-tog sleeping bag with a vest and a sleepsuit.

Best bedside cribs - make nights with your newborn a little easier with our top recommendations and tips

2. Don't use a cot bumper

Cots are specifically designed for air to circulate freely to aid a baby's breathing, so even if their room is draughty resist the temptation to use a cot bumper.

Also, there have also been a number of cases in the UK and abroad where infants have become tangled in the bumper's fabric or ties, or they've fallen when pulling themselves up using a bumper. 

Even though padded, meshed or vented cot bumpers are freely available to buy in the UK, the advice from The Lullaby Trust is to not use one because 'the safest cot is a clear cot'. 

What to do instead 

If the room is draughty, insulating windows and doors, installing a draught excluder and hanging insulating curtains can all help to prevent heat loss.

Learn more about how to draughtproof your home. There are quick, simple and cost-effective ways to make a room feel warmer, as well as helping to reduce your heating bills.

Best cot mattresses - ensure your baby can sleep safely and soundly by choosing an excellent cot mattress

3. Don't use electric blankets

Electric blankets for babies under 12 months are a definite 'no' because their skin is very sensitive to heat and could be burnt by temperatures that are comfortable for an adult.

Although RoSPA isn't aware of electric blanket injuries specifically involving children over 12 months, it still suggests parents use them with caution.

Ashley Martin of RoSPA says: 'Concerns would be that children could overheat or that older and/or faulty blankets might be used that can lead to burns or fires.'

What to do instead 

Unfortunately, there is no alternative to an electric blanket for children under 12 months old. 

You should also avoid using an electric blanket with an older child if they still wet the bed or they're able to use the controls themselves, as they could turn the heat up too high.  

See the results of our electric blankets and heated throw tests and find out whether a hot water bottle or electric blanket is the best and cheapest option for adults to keep warm in bed

4. Don't leave portable heaters on at night

The NHS says all-night heating for your baby is 'rarely necessary' so aim instead for a room temperature of between 16°C and 20°C, regardless of outside temperature or the weather forecast - even if that temperature may feel cold to you. 

Take away guesswork with a thermometer. This one from The Lullaby Trust (£3.95) is an affordable way to help monitor your baby's room temperature, although many baby monitors also have built-in temperature sensors.

Some of the most-searched room thermometer retailers include Amazon, Argos, B&Q and Boots.

What to do instead 

Keep central heating on at a low temperature (around 20°C) for all or part of the night, but avoid positioning the cot next to a radiator. This is to avoid overheating or burns and because radiators are often put underneath windows where blind cords may be hanging down.

If this isn't possible, a portable heater could be used briefly to boost the room temperature to  between 16°C and 20°C before your baby is put to bed, but the heater should be switched off and removed from the room once they're in bed.

If you're really worried about them being cold, move them into the same room as you, so you can gauge for yourself whether the room temperature is too low.

Best baby monitors - we've tested audio and video baby monitors from Leapfrog, VTech, Hubble and more, to help you find a reliable monitor you can depend on 

5. Don't put a duvet on your baby

Babies can easily overheat, so avoid duvets and other bulky bedding, such as quilts, pillows, sleep positioners, weighted blankets or weighted sleeping bags when they're under 12 months of age.

Kate Holmes says: 'We know that the colder months can be difficult for families, and we understand it can be tempting to wrap your baby up to keep them warm while they sleep. However, we know that overheating increases the chances of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and research shows that it's better for babies to be cooler rather than too hot.' 

What to do instead 

Use light layers or light blankets, which make it more difficult for your baby to overheat, plus you can easily remove them if they get too hot (don't use blankets with a baby sleeping bag).

If you're using baby blankets, remember that one blanket is the equivalent of 1 tog (a rating of how thermally insulating it is), which means that once folded it doubles the rating to 2 tog.

6. Don't choose the wrong baby sleeping bag

A baby sleeping bag may help to give your little one a comfortable night's sleep this winter, but be careful to choose one that's safe. 

If the neck opening is too wide and the bag doesn't have shoulder straps, your baby could slip down into the bag. If it has excess material or a hood, this could also increase the risk of suffocation.

If the tog rating is too high, you risk your little one overheating.

What to do instead

• Choose the correct tog. Ratings go from 1 (very light) to 4 (padded) so check the packaging or label before you buy. 
• Always look for the safety standard marking. This is BS EN 16781:2018 and it should be displayed on your baby sleeping bag. If there isn't one, don't buy it.
• Make sure they can't slip down into it. If the neck opening is too wide and the bag doesn't have shoulder straps, they could slip into the bag. 
• Check your baby's weight. Baby sleeping bags shouldn't be used until your baby weighs 4kg (8.8lbs).

How to buy the best cot or cot bed - we run through the different types of cot and cot bed, their pros and cons, and how to use them safely

7. Don't forget to stay safe when co-sleeping

If you're concerned your baby might be cold, it may feel natural to bring them to sleep with you but there are situations in which it is unsafe:

• You smoke or you're on certain medication. If you or your partner smokes (even if it's not in the bedroom) or have drunk alcohol or taken drugs or medication that may make you drowsy prior to sleeping.
• Your baby was born prematurely. If your baby was born before 37 weeks or at a low weight (2.5kg or 5.5lbs or less).
• You're sleeping with them on a sofa or armchair. This can increase the risk of SIDS by 50 times.

What to do instead

If none of the above apply to you and you're safe to co-sleep, put your little one in a baby sleeping bag rather than under your covers to avoid them overheating or having their breathing obstructed.

Don't allow older children or pets to sleep alongside young babies, as they may increase the risk of suffocation or overheating, or the baby may even get trapped, squashed or fall out of bed.

How to know if your baby is too hot or too cold

• They are struggling to sleep. If your baby isn't settling or wakes unexpectedly (for example, in the night but not when a feed is due), check if they're too cold by feeling the back of their neck or chest to see if it's cold to the touch.
• Don't go by how cool their hands or feet feel. Their circulatory system is still developing, so they often have cooler extremities than older children or grown-ups, so this isn't a reliable way of monitoring their temperature.
• Use a thermometer. If you're still unsure after checking the room temperature, you've dressed them properly for bed and you've felt the temperature of their skin, use a thermometer. The NHS says normal body temperature in babies and children is around 36.4°C (97.5F), although this can vary slightly.
• Remember, babies can get hot while they sleep. The back of their neck or their chest will feel hot and sweaty and you may notice they have flushed cheeks and are sweating around the hairline. Remove a layer of bed clothes or bedding to try and cool them down.

Best digital thermometers - our Which? Best Buy recommendations to help give you quick and accurate results

What to do if you can't afford heating

There are rules in place that mean over winter (October to March) a supplier cannot disconnect a domestic property if it has people under the age of 18 living there.

Not only that, but energy companies that are signatories to the Energy UK vulnerability commitment will not disconnect a domestic household that has children under the age of six at any time of year. There are currently 11 companies signed up, including British Gas and Octopus.

Ofgem told Which?: 'Your supplier can offer you specialised support through the Priority Services Register (PSR) if you have a young child. This includes additional support in emergencies or increased communications.'

It added that suppliers must also take reasonable steps to identify if a customer has self-disconnected and provide appropriate support. This includes support credit to customers who have self-disconnected where it is in the customer's best interest and/or where the customer is in a vulnerable situation. 

What help is available?

• If you have a young child, your supplier can offer you specialised support through the Priority Services Register (PSR), which is a free service that makes sure extra help is available to those in vulnerable situations. 
• For people living in Scotland, the Scottish government provides a Child Winter Heating Assistance benefit for parents of disabled children. 
• We've also looked into what happens if you don't pay your energy bills as well as how to get help if you're struggling to pay your bills.