Concerns about room temperature for newborn

[Anonymous]

Hi, I am due in 3 weeks and reading up about how to reduce the risk for SIDS. The baby will be in a bassinett right next to my side of the bed for the first few months. We already co-sleep with our dog (actually he cosleeps with us), and we shut the bedroom door. The room tends to get very hot which is not an issue for DH since he doesn't wear anything to bed. It is always too hot for me and I often wake up feeling suffocated and need to open a window or sleep on the couch. This is very concerning to me. And now he wants to resume using our down comforter which leaks feathers everywhere. Between the natural dust, our dog's hot breath, and the goose feathers, I am wondering if this creates a SIDS risk. I realize I can dress the baby lightly for bed and turn down the thermostat, but I worry the air in the room is too stifling. Advice? Similar situations? Do I need to have a conversation with DH about SIDS risks and compromise?? Thanks everyone!

[HrCreuzi]

I'd suggest you not let the dog in during the night until you know how he responds to the baby. We love our two cats dearly, but have banished them from the room during the baby's sleep time.

The heat can be an issue (from my understanding of things), you may want to reach a compromise if only for your ease of mind.

I'd suggest not using the comforter.

Just my two cents.

[Anonymous]

If the baby is in the bassinet then you and DH sleeping with a down comforter shouldn't be a problem. Same with the dogs - unless you are worried about dog and feather dander.

To ease your mind, get a thermometer for the room.

Sometimes pregnancy hormones, a comforter, and dogs can make the room feel warmer (or cooler) than the actual temperature. After you deliver you will also (most likely) have heat flashes as the hormones once again rage as your milk starts to come in. Plus, you'll be sweating a lot, too, as your body sheds the excess fluids gained from pregnancy.

Also, please remember newborns have a tough time regulating body temperature. The nurse told us you can get a "feel" by placing your hand on the baby's back.

Enjoy the rest of your pregnancy.

[Anonymous]

You could also leave the door open.

[Anonymous]

I would suggest getting a thermostat for the room and keeping close to where the baby will be sleeping to get a better idea of the actual temperature - as a PP stated, your pregnant body may not be fully attuned to the actual temperature. As I recall, the books, the nurses and our ped all suggested a room temperature between 68 and 72 - for some people this feels "cool", for others "warm". We kept our room at around 72 - my husband always worried that the room felt too cold but got 2 thermostats to assure him that it was just right for the baby. Especially if you decide to swaddle the baby, you want to make sure that it is not too warm in the room...Re the dog hair and feathers, I don't think that it should be a problem unless stuff is lierally flying everywhere, inlcuding the baby's open mouth...

[Anonymous]

Just a note...one PP said to banish the dog from your room. It may not be possible for you, but if you decide to do this....do it now before the baby arrives. It can be a very difficult transition for some dogs when a baby suddenly appears and forces them out (different than for cats...who also feel the loss of attention but deal somewhat differently than dogs). Be sensitive to your dog's needs and try to ease the transition. But mostly, don't wait until the baby arrives to make a big dramatic change.

If you keep the dog in your bed, try to keep your pup closer to you hubby and keep your side as clean as possible (change sheets more often to battle dander, shedding fur, etc).

You can also buy a comforter that is not down and is less prone to allergy issues (they are all on sale now...cheap. Big January white sales and after-holiday sales). They are easier to wash too.

Also, I agree with the 68-72 degrees in the room. That's about right for most people. What is the temperature in your room? If it's your hormones making you warm...then that is beyond anyone's control.

But if your husband is keeping the room very warm (over 75) and you can't bear it, then you guys need to talk. You shouldn't have to go to another room because it is unbearable for you. Who is pregnant here?

[Anonymous]

re: the down comforter...
When our son was born we had a couch and love seat that had been my in-laws' "good" living room furniture but we'd used it everyday for about 5 years and it was getting worn (cream colored wool of all things). So it would leak feathers from time to time. Well when DS was a couple months old I was sitting on the couch with him and looked down and there was a little feather resting on that space between the upper lip and his little nose. Before I could grab it he INHALED it and it disappeared. I called the pediatrician's office and the nurse said it would be okay, the feather would probably just get swallowed and digested but it really freaked me out. We got rid of those stupid couches (I'd been wanting to anyway) FAST after that.

So I'd get a really good duvet cover or a new, synthetic comforter.

[Anonymous]

At our first visit to the ped. after DS was born I talked about this with our doctor because I was worried about the baby being too cold... my DH is an air conditioning freak! But he was in the right. The doc said to keep the temp. between 68-70. I would suggest turning the heat down and using the blanket if the baby is in the bassinet. Best of luck to you! Remember to enjoy your little one... I know I was too stressed out about EVERYTHING (including room temps.) to enjoy all the minutes