Your baby's room temperature

We appreciate how difficult it can be to keep a room at 16 – 20⁰C (the ideal baby room temperature) in the warmer months, knowing that overheating can pose a risk. If the room where the baby sleeps is difficult to cool, follow the ‘summer rules’ of lighter bedding and clothing and open the bedroom door and a window, if it’s safe to do so. 

You could also use a fan to cool the room, but don’t aim it directly towards the baby. 

When the weather is hot, it’s important to make sure that your baby has plenty of fluids. Fully breastfed babies don’t need any extra water until they start eating solid food but during hot weather they may want to breastfeed more than usual. If you’re bottle feeding, as well as their usual milk feeds, the NHS recommends giving your baby a little cooled boiled water.

It’s rarely necessary to keep your heating on all night, and adding an extra layer will usually help if you can’t get the room to the recommended room temperature for babies.

Remember not to put a hat on your baby when they are indoors, as babies maintain their body temperature by releasing heat through their head. Wearing a hat can mean they get too hot. Ensure your baby’s cot or Moses basket isn’t placed near a heat source, such as a radiator, heater or in direct sunlight.

If you do feel your home is too cold and you want to leave the heating on all night, make sure it is set at a low temperature, and certainly no higher than 20⁰C.

When babies feel unwell with a cold or high temperature (fever), they may be warmer than usual. Your baby should be dressed for their environment – it’s important not to feel tempted to wrap an unwell baby up more than usual.

If your baby has a fever or you are worried about them, you should call your GP or 111. If your baby shows signs of being significantly unwell, always seek medical advice. The NHS has more information: High temperature (fever) in children.

You may also find it helpful to use our Baby Check app to monitor your baby’s symptoms.