MIL not sleeping over our house being too cold

[lilseb]

We have a 5mo baby. We've just moved into our property which has an EPC C and insulated/double glazing, but since the weather's turned cold we've found our bedroom is far too cold, unsure why and we want to get a specialist in. We are a bit sparse with heating but we put it on morning and evening to heat house up to 16c, we top up in the day if its especially cold and use heaters/fireplace in certain rooms we use more so they're warmer than the 16c (including said bedroom but this was not effective). The rest of the house is fine except this one room. Me and baby are now sleeping in spare room which is much warmer. Baby is in recommended vest sleepsuit and 2.5-3.5 tog sleeping bag for the weather.

MIL is convinced the issue is we don't put the heating on enough and having arguments with my husband about it. She's said its not good enough that we're using our dyson for heating or that me and baby have switched room and we need to have the heating on more, and she thinks 16c is too cold. She has told me and my husband separately that she is so worried about our house she's not sleeping, citing worries for my husband's asthma and our child's health. The latter has upset me because I'm trying to follow the recommended advice for temperature and I wouldn't risk my child's welfare. Husband says I'm being over sensitive, and I know she probably doesn't mean to imply it, but I do think she should be thinking through what she says.

Husband is a tightarse and I frequently ignore his moaning and switch heating on anyway - however we both feel that the issue with the bedroom is not the heating, and that we think 16c is a reasonable temperature that will keep us healthy and should keep house in good condition. I don't know if I get especially warm but I woke up last night feeling too hot and room temperature was 17c. My husband similarly is ok with cooler temperatures.

My view is its our house and our baby and MIL has said her piece so now needs to reign it in. AIBU? I know she's grandmother and I can't stop her worrying but we're already navigating a new house and new baby and could do without her rattling me. I had a conversation with her earlier which was pleasant and constructive enough and I'm hoping will nip some of this in the bud, but I don't know whether to be tougher if there's a next time.

They have a young baby. Guidance is 18 minimum (with 16 in babies room for sleeping) to keep them all healthy but especially the baby. MIL sounds sensibly concerned.

I’d freeze at those temperatures even as an adult.

We spent a fortune on heating when our two eldest early spring born babies were newborns, I had the heating blasting and plenty of air coming in. The thought of a damp house scares me far worse than an electricity bill I’d have to pay off in instalments.

What works for an adult does not work for a baby.

Equipment is meant to be kept cold. People are meant to be kept warm. Those who work in server rooms are issued with fleeces and PPE.
I can't imagine functioning in this temperature.

Got to agree with mother in law. Just been through this with my daughter who is tight with her heating. You also mention your tight arse partner, so you realise there's possibly an issue. The heating should be at least 18 degrees, 16 degrees is not even comfortable for an adult who feels the heat in colder weather. I've spent too many days doing child care in a freezing house having to inappropriately over dress babies and toddlers just to keep them comfortably warm. As for people saying we were used to freezing houses years ago, yes we were before central heating but only because we had no choice and relied on fire risk free standing heaters, coal fires in bedrooms etc where we could. If you have central heating what's the point of keeping it down too low and having to rely on extra heating sources? It's probably more uneconomical to do that anyway. In the past babies were in their cots with loads of clothing, cardigans, hats and blankets often swaddled or on their sides or tummies. It's different nowadays when they sleep on their backs with light layers and a light sleeping bag. That's fine for summer or mild weather but even most adults would find pj's and a summer weight quilt too cold in the winter in a cold room.

I'm an outdoorsy person, i never wear more than a tshirt and jumper at the stables unless it's raining, but 16 degrees inside a house is freezing!!

Ours sits at 22 when it's on

Your MIL is right and you're being stingy. Put your heating on and budget for it.

At 16'c you'll feel cold and its not warm enough to heat the house. You need it at about 18.5 id say. But its important to heat the house or you can get damp and frozen pipes. Also its bloody cold

At 16'c you'll feel cold and its not warm enough to heat the house. You need it at about 18.5 id say. But its important to heat the house or you can get damp and frozen pipes. Also its bloody cold

The egg won’t go blue until below 16