Keeping your sleeping baby cool in hot weather

It’s important to make sure your baby doesn’t overheat when the weather is hot. As you yourself will know from experience it’s pretty uncomfortable to get too hot at night, and waking up with a dry mouth and a headache thanks to a badly ventilated room is an unpleasant experience.

On a more serious note, extremes of temperature have been linked to SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome, also known as crib death).

In order to ensure your baby’s comfort, the room temperature where she’s sleeping should be set at around 65-68 degrees – keep a thermometer in your baby's room so you can monitor the temperature. Ensure there’s no possibility of her head becoming covered up by her covers by placing her in the feet-to-foot position, with her feet at the end of her crib. Alternately, dress her in a baby sleeping bag and do without covers altogether. If it’s particularly hot, your baby will only need to sleep in a diaper and onesie, covered with a cotton sheet.

Don’t position your baby’s crib near to a heat source (or a draughty window) as this could cause her to overheat rapidly. If the room is stuffy, some ventilation is advisable – obviously, this doesn’t mean an Arctic wind, but some fresh air is good as long as the room temperature can be maintained and your baby isn’t in a draught.

Hot tip Do make sure your baby doesn’t overheat if she falls asleep in a car seat or stroller. If she does fall asleep in these places, it’s best to remove her and put her somewhere more suitable.

Check out our video on keeping your baby cool in hot weather or have a look at our article, how to keep your baby cool.

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The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.