Since babies can’t tell us when they’re too hot or too cold, it’s up to us as parents to know the proper baby sleep temperature guidelines to keep them comfortable and safe.
Many parents believe that infants need to be kept extra warm and fully bundled at all times, but this is rarely the case. In fact, the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) increases when a newborn is too hot. This danger is prevalent through the toddler years, but it is most pronounced from birth until about six months of age.
In this article, we’ll share research about how to determine the right temperature for your little one and what you can do when the weather makes maintaining equilibrium more challenging.
Ideal Temperature for Baby’s Room
Luckily, there’s a range, so you don’t have to keep your home at one exact temperature. According to Cleveland Clinic, babies should sleep in rooms between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, which is equivalent to 18-21 degrees Celsius.
If the bedroom your infant sleeps in doesn’t have a thermostat, use a portable, indoor thermometer to keep track of how warm or cool the room is. In general, babies and toddlers will be comfortable at the same temperatures adults prefer. However, they may need an additional layer, depending on whether or not they tend to run hot.
Tips to Keep Your Baby Comfortable
Watch for Overheating
A parent’s first instinct may be to first check the baby’s hands or feet to gauge temperature, but this won’t provide the most accurate gauge of your infant’s comfort level. Instead, try placing your hands on their head or stomach to see if they feel warm.
Also, be on the lookout for sweating, flushed cheeks, rashes, damp hair, and rapid breathing, which are all signs that an infant is too hot.
Another sign is if they seem extra fussy despite the fact they’ve eaten, and there are no required diaper changes. They may just feel uncomfortably hot and need your help cooling off.
Avoid Over-Bundling
It’s tempting to bundle your infant up into a baby burrito. However, they still need to breathe! Pajamas, a swaddle, and piles of blankets are overkill and increase the risk of SIDS. Instead, consider a lightweight sleep sack to keep them cozy, and try something heartier when the weather is cold.
If your baby is sick, opt for fewer rather than more layers. This is because their body temp is already elevated, and they need to be able to cool off slightly rather than raise it further.
Keep Cribs Bare
Again, the risk of SIDS is highest in the first six months of life, but the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends waiting on pillows, toys, and stuffed animals for at least the first year. If you find your little one is too cool in chilly climates and colder seasons, opt for a higher toggle sleep sack that’s designed for cooler temps.
Use a Fan
While a fan won’t dramatically decrease the temperature in the room, it does circulate oxygen. It can also freshen up the air in the room, allowing your toddler to get better airflow rather than rebreathing stagnant air.
View Our Full Guide: Best Fans for Sleeping
Share a Room
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends sharing a room with your infant during his or her first six months of life. Not only does this reduce the chance of SIDS but it also allows you to closely monitor your infant’s temperature. This way, you can get a better idea of whether they sleep hot or “normal.”
To facilitate this arrangement, consider moving the crib or bassinet into your bedroom and placing it near your bed.
Learn More: Safe Co-Sleeping Guidelines
Back Sleeping
While tummy time is crucial for development, the AAP suggests that you always place your baby on their back before bed to reduce SIDS and allow air circulation around their face. Once they can turn over onto their tummy by themselves, it is okay to leave them there, as they should be able to lift their head easily by that point, but still put them on their back initially.
How to Check if Your Baby is Too Hot or Too Cold
We’ve talked a lot about a baby being too hot, but we have thus far failed to mention what to do if they’re too cold!
When an infant feels chilly, the first thing you may notice is that their hands and feet begin to turn slightly blue. While this may be cause for alarm in kids and adults, it’s nothing to be overly concerned about when you observe it in an infant.
Once you warm them slightly and their body returns to a normal temperature, you should see that their extremities return to a healthy hue.
We recommend dressing babies in layers, but don’t overdo it. If you notice that your baby is sweating, flushed, or has damp hair, that likely means they’re too hot. Remove a layer and check again in a few minutes.
If your little one is too cold, add a layer of clothing or a pair of socks. Again, add single layers at a time and continually assess rather than taking everything off or over-bundling.
View Our Full Guide: How To Dress Baby For Sleep?
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I adjust the room temperature in summer?
If you have the luxury of indoor air conditioning and a thermostat, set the display to your desired temperature and luxuriate in the coolness.
If you don’t have the ability to control the environment directly, you’ll have to be more creative. A fan can help slightly, but be careful not to aim it directly at your baby. We also recommend reducing the layers of clothing down to a onesie with the option to add lightweight socks.
Oddly enough, socks are controversial, with some parents saying they’re unnecesarry, and others swearing by their ability to make your baby feel safe and comfortable. We’ll leave it up to your preference.
Other tips include using lightweight bedding and opening a door or window to increase airflow. If your infant is bottle-fed, you can give them chilled formula to keep them comfortable. Babies who are receiving breast milk as their sole source of food can have chilled breast milk that has been stored properly in the freezer/refrigerator.
How can I adjust the room temperature in winter?
The same thermostat technique applies in the winter months, and the same range of 65 to 70 degrees is still the recommendation.
You can also add layers but do so with care. Avoid hats when they’re inside because it affects their ability to self-regulate temperature.
Read More: How To Dress Baby For Sleeping In a 70 Degree Room?
What type of bedding is best?
Simple and lightweight is usually the best choice. Avoid things like duvets and quilts until your infant or toddler graduates from the crib to a toddler bed. Our recommendation is lightweight, breathable bedding made of organic fabric when possible.
Avoid things like blankets, duvets, and quilts until your infant or toddler graduates from a crib to a toddler bed. Our recommendation a lightweight, breathable, fitted sheet made of organic fabric when possible.
Conclusion
As if it wasn’t challenging enough to get your infant to sleep during the night, now you have to be on the lookout for temperature too! The good news is that a newborn’s temperature preference is similar to our own, so follow our basic guidelines, and you’ll be more likely to have a happy baby on your hands!
Katie Simpson
As a nurse, Raina has worked in pediatrics, neonatal intensive care, and oncology. She is also a Registered Holistic Nutritionist and Certified Health Coach, whose true passion in life is helping others live well through her website, www.holfamily.com.
Her holistic approach focuses on the whole person, honing the physical body and spiritual and emotional well-being. Raina believes health is a life-long endeavor and requires a balance of mind, body, and spirit.
