Winter Guide: Can babies sleep outside in freezing temperatures in winter?

The surroundings gleam with frost, and the weather app predicts sub-zero temperatures. But what about letting babies sleep outside when winter and cold truly hit?

In this winter guide, you'll find answers to some of the questions that naturally arise when frosty weather arrives:

• Can your baby sleep outside in frost?
• When is it too cold for a child to sleep outside?
• Should you be particularly aware of anything in the cold?
• What should a baby wear to sleep in a pram in winter?
• How much clothing should the little one wear in frosty weather?

Let's start with the foundation of it all – whether it's even wise to let your little one sleep outside in the cold.

Can babies sleep outside in frosty weather?

The health authorities' advice regarding infants and frost is that it is fully justifiable to let little ones sleep outside in their pram, as long as the child is healthy and well, and the temperature does not drop below -10 degrees Celsius.

(Here you can find the Danish Health Authority's complete advice on sleeping outdoors in cold weather)

So you can safely let your baby take their usual nap outside, even if there are a few sub-zero temperatures and perhaps some snow.

However, very young children are not mature enough to indicate if they are cold. It is therefore important that the pram is positioned sensibly, that the child is wrapped up well enough to stay warm, and that you keep an eye on the little one during the nap.

What should you be aware of when your child sleeps outdoors in winter?

As always, it's important that the pram is stable and sheltered from wind, fog, and heavy precipitation.

Also, check that the pram is not placed where snow could fall from a roof or similar if it starts to thaw. Even in frosty weather, snow can slide down if the sun is shining on it.

And then it's crucial to keep an extra close eye on the little one during the nap when it's cold. The younger the child, the more often health authorities recommend checking on them. Feel the child's neck to assess if they are comfortably warm. If they seem cool, you should wrap them up better or bring the child indoors into the warmth.

Talk to your health visitor if you have any doubts.

What should a baby wear to sleep in a pram in winter?

Napping outside is not a problem in itself, even if there are a few degrees of frost. But it is of course important that the little one is bundled up and dressed appropriately for the conditions.

First and foremost, the child must be protected from the cold by lying in something that insulates both at the bottom and sides. Many prams do this. If you have an open pram, it is important to put the child in something else with an insulating effect from both underneath and the sides.

It's entirely a personal matter whether you prefer to put the little one in a warm suit, a duvet, or a sleeping bag – and if so, which one.

Of course, we recommend a Pram Bag from Sleepbag.

The advantages of a Sleepbag baby sleeping bag for napping in winter are that:

• Sleepbag's insulating material ensures the child stays warm down to -10 degrees Celsius, i.e., even on very cold days
• the sleeping bag makes it easy when the little one needs to be put to bed (and the sleepy child avoids being wrapped up and lying in stiff outerwear)
• the sleeping bag embraces the child, creating a sense of security similar to the time in the womb
• the child quickly associates the sleeping bag with going to sleep, making it easier to surrender to sleep
• Sleepbag is completely closed at the bottom on the first fold steps, so tiny feet don't slip out into the cold.

And the Sleepbag is easy to wash, so it's ready for the next nap if your little rascal spits up or has a diaper leak.

If you don't already have a Sleepbag pram bag and would like to know more, Sleepbag.Exclusive.

How much clothing should the little one wear in frosty weather?

How much clothing the little one should wear in frosty and winter weather depends on what else the child is bundled in.

If your child sleeps in a Sleepbag, our recommendation for the winter months is that your baby should be dressed in roughly the same clothes as indoors. For example, a long-sleeved bodysuit, tights, and a thick knitted cardigan – plus a hat and mittens.

Please note that there is a significant difference in the insulation level between a closed, thick-bottomed pram and an open combi-pram. Therefore, more or less clothing may be necessary, depending on the actual circumstances.

In winter, you fold the Sleepbag so that:

• the duvet in the sleeping bag is doubled
• the side wings are closed around the duvet
• the hood is up and in use.

(You can find our full seasonal guide to dressing and folding here)

A good and safe nap in the pram in winter

We hope this guide has clarified how many degrees below zero children can sleep outside in, and how to give your baby a good and safe nap outside in the pram during winter.

Let's briefly summarize the advice in the winter guide:

• Your baby can safely sleep outside in frosty weather – as long as the child is healthy and well, is well-bundled, and the temperature is not below -10 degrees Celsius.
• When the temperature is below minus 10 degrees Celsius, it is too cold to let your child sleep outside.
• Place the pram sheltered from wind and heavy precipitation - and check that no snow can fall from a roof or similar.
• Keep an extra close eye on the little one during naps in frosty weather.
• Keep the child warm with outerwear, a duvet, or a good pram/sleeping bag - we recommend a Sleepbag, which makes it super easy and is designed to keep your child perfectly warm down to -10 degrees Celsius.
• If your child sleeps in a Sleepbag, they should wear the same clothing as indoors, plus a hat, mittens, and possibly an extra jumper.

With this in mind, you can safely let your baby sleep outside in frosty weather.

If you don't already have a Sleepbag pram bag and are curious if it can make your daily life noticeably easier and more pleasant? Then you can get a feel for whether the Sleepbag baby sleeping bag is for you at Sleepbag.Exclusive.

Have a great winter!