Every November, parents across Pakistan notice the same troubling pattern.
Children go to bed healthy — and wake up with:
- A runny nose
- Blocked chest
- Sore throat
- Mild fever
- Unusual crankiness
The weather isn’t freezing. The heaters aren’t on full blast. So what’s going wrong?
After years of reporting on seasonal health trends and speaking with pediatricians and parents alike, one quiet culprit keeps coming up:
Wrong nightwear.
Not the lack of warmth — but too much of it, and often in the wrong fabric.
November: The Most Confusing Month for Parents
November is deceptive.
Days feel pleasant. Evenings cool down quickly. Nights can feel cold — but not consistently. This temperature swing makes parents overcompensate, especially at bedtime.
Children are often dressed as if it’s peak January, when in reality:
- Indoor temperatures remain moderate
- Kids naturally generate body heat while sleeping
- Over-layering leads to sweating
And sweating at night is one of the biggest triggers for November illnesses.
The Real Problem: Overheating, Then Sudden Chills
Here’s what commonly happens:
- A child is dressed in fleece or heavy winter nightwear
- Body heat builds up during sleep
- The child sweats — especially around the neck, chest, and back
- As the night cools down, damp clothing lowers body temperature
- The child wakes up congested or feverish
This cycle repeats night after night.
Parents often blame the “changing weather,” but it’s actually the body reacting to trapped moisture.
Cotton vs Fleece: What Happens During Sleep
Why Cotton Works Better at Night
Cotton is breathable.
It absorbs moisture and allows air circulation, which helps regulate body temperature naturally.
For kids:
- Cotton keeps the skin dry
- Prevents sudden temperature drops
- Reduces irritation and rashes
- Supports deeper, uninterrupted sleep
Cotton nightwear adjusts as the child’s body warms and cools.
Why Fleece Causes Problems in November
Fleece is designed to trap heat — which is useful outdoors, not during sleep.
At night, fleece:
- Blocks airflow
- Traps sweat
- Keeps skin damp for hours
- Increases risk of chills when temperature drops
Fleece isn’t “bad,” but it’s often used at the wrong time and in the wrong way.
Why Kids Sweat More at Night Than Parents Realize
Children’s bodies:
- Heat up faster
- Cool down slower
- Have more active sleep cycles
Even when the room feels cool to adults, a child inside fleece can overheat.
Signs your child is sweating at night:
- Damp hair or pillow
- Wet neckline of pajamas
- Cold but clammy skin in the morning
- Frequent night wakings
This sweat becomes the gateway for colds and flu.
November Illness Isn’t Always a Virus
Many November “colds” are not infections at first.
They start as:
- Temperature imbalance
- Moist skin exposed to cool air
- Irritated nasal passages
- Weakened immunity overnight
Once the body is stressed, viruses take advantage.
Correcting nightwear often reduces repeat sickness dramatically.
What Kids Should Actually Wear to Bed in November
For most cities in Pakistan — Karachi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, even Islamabad — November nights require light, breathable layering, not heavy winter gear.
Best nighttime combination:
- Soft cotton full-sleeve pajamas
- Cotton vest underneath if needed
- Light blanket instead of thick clothing
Avoid tight fits. Avoid heavy fabrics touching skin.
Special Note for Babies and Toddlers
Younger children are even more sensitive.
Babies often wake sick because:
- Parents add extra layers “just in case”
- Fleece suits trap heat during sleep
- Neck and chest stay damp all night
For babies:
- Cotton should always touch the skin
- Fleece only as a second layer, if at all
- Use sleep sacks instead of heavy clothes
Soft cotton socks and caps can help regulate warmth safely. Parents often rely on simple cotton essentials from places like Kidko.pk when building a winter sleep routine for little ones.
Common Nightwear Mistakes Parents Make in November
- Using fleece as sleepwear instead of outerwear
- Dressing kids for outdoor cold indoors
- Ignoring damp night clothes
- Believing “more layers = more protection”
- Not checking chest or back temperature
Winter sickness prevention starts at bedtime.
How to Check If Your Child Is Dressed Correctly
Use the chest test, not hands or feet.
Before sleep and in the morning:
- Chest should feel warm and dry
- Neck should not be sweaty
- Back should not feel cold
Cold hands don’t always mean a cold body. Damp skin is the real warning sign.
Why Breathable Nightwear Improves Sleep Quality
Children dressed correctly at night:
- Sleep longer
- Wake up less
- Have stronger immunity
- Get sick less often
- Handle seasonal changes better
Good sleep isn’t just about routine — it’s about the right fabric against the skin.
FAQs
Why does my child only get sick in November?
Because temperature swings + wrong nightwear cause sweating and chills.
Is fleece bad for kids?
No, but it’s better for outdoor use, not sleep.
Should kids wear cotton even in winter?
Yes — especially as a base layer or nightwear.
How many layers are enough at night?
Usually one cotton layer + light blanket.
Why does my child wake up with a blocked nose?
Overheating and night sweat can irritate airways.
Conclusion
November sickness isn’t always about weather or germs. Often, it’s about what happens quietly at night — under blankets, inside pajamas, and against the skin.
Choosing breathable cotton over heat-trapping fleece, especially for sleep, can make a noticeable difference in how often children fall sick during seasonal transitions.
Warmth is important.
But breathability is essential.
When parents get nighttime clothing right, November becomes far less stressful — and far healthier — for kids.