The temperature of the bedroom is key to a safe and comfortable night sleep. The recommended ambient temperature is 16-20'C.
Babies are unable to regulate their own body temperature so overheating your baby increases their chance of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Research has shown that babies are better to be on the cooler side rather than on the hotter side so be mindful of this when dressing your baby for bed.
As a Holistic Sleep Coach and Paediatric Nurse, I would recommend purchasing a bedroom thermometer so that you can closely monitor the temperature of the room. This a really great tool (and often affordable) to ensure that you are adhering to the safe sleep guidelines. There are various bedroom thermometers on the market so you can find one that meets your budget and requirements.
With the colder weather approaching, it may be tempting to turn the heating on. If you do decide to keep the heating on overnight, then I would set the upper limit on the thermostat to 20'C so that the room does not become too hot during the night. You want to keep the bedroom a consistent temperature throughout the night if possible.
It also okay to be feeling concerned about how you are going to keep your baby warm this winter with the rise in energy bills. It is a concern for a lot of people as it can be an expensive time of year for this reason. It can be very tempting to wrap your child up in lots of layers but it is important to be aware that too many layers can be dangerous for your baby.
Of course, the temperature of the bedroom comes hand in hand with what you dress your baby in overnight!
I personally would recommend a baby sleeping bag/ sleep suit as this ensures that your baby remains a consistent temperature throughout the night and you can feel confident that if you follow the guidelines, your baby will remain safe overnight.
I have put together a chart to make this much easier for you! Save it for later so that you can refer back to it and share with other mummy and daddy friends.
Something which is important to be mindful of with sleeping bags, is you should avoid adding an extra layer on top of the sleeping bag if your baby appears cool. You can safely apply another layer underneath the sleeping bag but it is not recommended to add a blanket over the top due to the risk of overheating your baby.
How do I know if my baby is too hot?
The best way to check your baby’s temperature is to put your hand on the skin on their chest or the back of their neck. Don’t use their hands or feet as a guide as they will always feel cooler than the rest of their body. If the baby is too hot you will feel the skin is hot, slightly clammy or sweaty, and you will need to remove some layers. If your baby has a fever or you are worried about your baby you should call your GP or 111. If your baby shows signs of being significantly unwell always seek medical advice. Please visit the NHS for more information: High temperature (fever) in children – NHS (www.nhs.uk).
Ensure your baby’s cot is not positioned next to a radiator or next to a window in direct sunlight. Babies do not need to wear hats indoors nor sleep in outdoor wear such as snow suits/winter coats etc.
Happy (& safe) sleeping everyone!
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