Boys Toys

Baby Sleep Advice and FAQS

We know how difficult it can be to find research you can trust when it comes to your baby’s bedtime. That is why The Little Green Sheep has spent years researching and talking to leading independent bodies such as the NCT and FSID, to provide you with as much accurate information as you need. Here are a few of our most commonly asked questions. Remember if you don’t find the answers here, our advisors are ready to help and you can contact them on our free phone number 0800 028 1433.

General Sleep Advice
Sleeping environment

Based on advice from The Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (FSIDS), please see some key points on safe sleep for your baby:

  • Ensure that your mattress is clean, dry, firm, flat and well fitting
  • The safest place for your baby to sleep is on its back, in a cot, crib or moses basket in a room with you for the first 6 months. If you use a moses basket, make sure that it only has a thin lining.
  • Check your baby regularly to ensure that they do not become too hot or too cold, and keep your baby's head uncovered indoors.
  • Babies do not need especially warm rooms (around 16-20 degrees Celsius is recommended). Babies should never sleep next to a radiator or in direct sunlight.
  • Place your baby on their back, rather than on their front or side
  • Place your baby with their feet to the foot of the cot, to prevent them wriggling down under the covers, or use a baby sleep bag.
  • Never sleep with your baby on a sofa or armchair.
  • Bedding – do not use duvets, quilts or pillows if you baby is under 1 year old, instead try blankets, sheets or sleeping bags
  • It can be dangerous for your baby to sleep in your bed especially if you (or your partner):
    • Smoke
    • Have been drinking alcohol
    • Feel very tired
  • Or if your baby:
    • Was born before 37 weeks
    • Weighed less than 2.5kg (5 ½ lbs) at birth

For further information, please visit www.fsid.org.uk and click on 'Looking after your baby'.

What to wear

Selecting what your baby should wear when sleeping depends on the temperature of your baby's bedroom and weight of the sleeping bag if you are using. Every baby is different and so it is important to check your baby's body temperature regularly and to adjust their bedding if needed.

There is often confusion over what to use when it comes to bedding; sleeping bags or blankets/sheets. There are benefits to choosing either and it will often depend on what you and your baby prefer.

Blankets – Blankets make it easy for you to keep your baby at the right temperature. You can simply add or remove a layer of blanket if your baby is too hot or cold (and remember that a folded blanket counts as two blankets). Placing your baby at the foot of the cot will help prevent covers from being kicked off during the night. FSID recommend that blankets should be well tucked in and no higher than the shoulders (ensuring that the head is not covered as this can cause overheating).

Sleeping Bags – A great way to keep a consistent temperature all night long, as covers cannot be thrown off. Be sure to check that the sleeping bag is a good fit for your baby before use and that the neck hole is not too loose or too tight.

As a guide, our bedding/temperature table below offers an example of what your baby may wear in different temperatures. This will give you a basic idea of what you may need, however it will always depend on your baby, so it is important to remember that checking your baby's body temperature regularly is one of the safest ways to avoid overheating.

Room temperature

Amount of bedding

Clothing

Warm

24 degrees C / 75 degrees F

Sheet only or a 0.5 - 1 tog sleeping bag

Short-sleeved bodysuit

 

22 degrees C / 71 degrees F

1 blanket or a 1 tog sleeping bag

Long-sleeve bodysuit

 

20 degrees C / 69 degrees F

1-2 blankets or a 2.5 tog sleeping bag

Long-sleeved bodysuit or Short-sleeve bodysuit & pyjama top if using a 1 tog sleeping bag

Ideal

18 degrees C / 65 degrees F

2 blankets or a 2.5 tog sleeping bag

Long-sleeved bodysuit & pyjama top

Cool

16 degrees C / 61 degrees F

2-3 blankets or a 2.5 tog sleeping bag

Long-sleeved bodysuit & sleepsuit/pyjama set

Remember: 1 blanket doubled counts as 2 blankets

bubbleTop tip: To see if your baby is too hot/cold, check your baby's body temperature by placing your fingers on their chest (this is as babies' hands can often feel cold).

Bedtime routines

Introducing a bedtime routine helps your baby learn when to go to sleep, with your baby starting to associate certain things with going to bed; such as cuddles, etc. It is recommended to establish a good consistent pattern first and then after that has been set, only then being more flexible.

To read more about bedtime routines and associated topics please visit one of the relevant recommend links provided in the links section of the website.

Mattresses

  1. How should I care for my mattress?

    For organic wool mattresses, we recommend that you turn your mattress every 3 months. This will help provide your baby with an even sleeping surface. Unlike foam mattresses, there is no need to leave your mattress to breathe before use, since no chemicals are present. Vacuuming your mattress will also help reduce the risk of any dust mites.

  2. How should my mattress be stored?

    If you are planning on storing your baby mattress for more than 2 weeks then we recommend removing the mattress from any cardboard box it arrived in, and carefully piercing the polythene bag to allow the mattress to breathe whilst not being used. It is important to store your baby mattress in a room with a consistent temperature (e.g. so not in the loft or shed for example).

  3. Are The Little Green Sheep mattresses waterproof?

    We use a 100% organic cotton cover that this is non-removable and isn't waterproof. This is because encapsulating the entire mattress with a waterproof barrier can restrict air circulation and the breathability of your mattress. Therefore we instead recommend that you use a waterproof mattress protector, which lies flat over the top of your baby's mattress. This will help keep out dust mites and protect from any accidents, whilst still allowing the cot mattress to breathe from the sides and underneath through the bed slats.

  4. What if my mattress gets soiled?

    All our natural and organic baby mattresses are made with a tough, resistant Herringbone cotton cover that means (if soiled) the mattress can be lightly sponge using a gentle detergent. Always ensure that your mattress is completely dry before re-using.

  5. What about the breathability of my mattress?

    Whether it is natural latex or organic wool, we ensure that all the materials used in the manufacture of our mattresses are as breathable as possible to aid the circulation of air throughout the mattress. This helps control your baby's body temperature and makes for a clean, dry mattress that prevents the growth of bacteria.

  6. How can I prevent dust mites?

    Dust mites can be a nightmare for allergy sufferers, and there are a few simple things that you can do to reduce the risk. Based on advice from the NCT, we recommend that you use a waterproof mattress protector to start. This will provide a barrier for the dust mites and together with the wool (which naturally disperses moisture) will make it more difficult for dust mites to survive. It is also recommended that you vacuum your mattress regularly.

  7. Should I buy a new mattress for my baby?

    Yes. The Foundation for the Study of Infant Death (FSID) recommends buying a new mattress for every new baby. As well as for hygiene reasons this is because in some mattresses bacteria can pool over years and become a risk to babies. However, if you cannot afford a new mattress and you're buying second hand, be sure that you know the history and level of use before committing.

  8. Can natural/organic mattresses help with Eczema or Asthma?

    As natural and organic mattresses tend to use more breathable materials, it means that they can benefit children and babies who suffer from Eczema and Asthma. Studies have shown that dust mites in mattresses can cause skin to flare-up, whilst it has also been shown that spores of mould can trigger Asthma. Using breathable materials such as wool can help prevent the growth of bacteria and dust mites, through naturally dispersing moisture and creating a dry, clean environment.

  9. Is wool hygienic for my baby?

    Yes, all the wool used in natural and organic mattresses is thoroughly washed using boiling water and a natural detergent until completely clean (without using pesticides). During manufacture, each mattress is wrapped in a tough Herringbone cotton cover to securely hold all materials in place and give a clean soft support for your baby.

Bedding and Sleepwear

  1. Is all The Little Green Sheep organic bedding machine washable?

    Nearly all of our organic bedding is machine washable and tumble dryer safe (our cellular baby blankets are not tumble dryer safe). To ensure that all germs are killed in each wash, we recommend that you wash at 60°C where products allow. Please see the product care label or individual product pages for more product specific information. Once purchased, we recommend that you always wash your bedding prior to use.

  2. Do your waterproof mattress protectors have plastic in them?

    Yes. A thin membrane of polyurethane runs through the middle of the two densely woven organic cotton layers, to ensure the protectors are 100% waterproof. Polyurethane is regarded as one of the safest plastics and is widely used in baby's toys, bottles and dummies. We feel that ensuring no bacteria gets through to the mattress is important enough to allow this small concession.

  3. When should my baby move into a sleeping bag?

    Most sleeping bags do have a recommended age for use (usually around 3-4 months), however every baby is unique and it is important to ensure that your baby fits the sleeping bag well and that they cannot wriggle down inside the bag (your baby's head should not be able to pass through the neck hole).