The Lullaby Trust, a safe sleep charity, has issued guidance for parents on keeping babies cool during the current heatwave, which could make this the hottest June on record. The charity emphasizes that a baby's room should ideally be kept at a temperature between 16 and 20°C to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Top Tips for Cooling a Baby's Room
The charity recommends several practical steps for parents: use lighter bedding and clothing with fewer layers; open the bedroom door and a window, if safe, to allow air circulation; check baby sleep bag guidance for the appropriate tog for each season; use a fan to cool the room but avoid aiming it directly at the baby; keep curtains closed during the day to prevent the room from heating up; and use a thermometer to accurately monitor the room temperature, as it can be difficult to guess.
Monitoring Baby's Temperature
A spokesperson for The Lullaby Trust stated: "It's important to monitor your baby's temperature to make sure they don't overheat. Every baby is different and it's important to check if their chest or back of neck feels clammy as this is a sign they are getting too hot. If your baby's skin is hot or sweaty, remove one or more layers of bedclothes or bedding." The chance of SIDS is higher in babies who get too hot, so experts recommend keeping the room between 16 and 20 degrees. Parents are advised to keep a room thermometer in the rooms where the baby sleeps.
How to Dress Babies for Bed in Hot Weather
The Lullaby Trust advises: "The best way to check on your baby's temperature is by putting your hand on the skin on their tummy 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 your baby is too hot you will feel the skin is hot, slightly clammy or sweaty, and you will need to remove some layers." The charity acknowledges the difficulty of keeping a baby's room between 16-20°C in warmer months and recommends following 'summer rules' of lighter bedding and clothing, opening the bedroom door and a window if safe, and using a fan to cool the room without aiming it directly at the baby.
Hydration Advice for Babies
It is also important to ensure that babies have sufficient fluids. For bottle-fed babies, parents can offer cooled, boiled water to babies under six months or tap water for babies over six months. Fully breastfed babies do not need extra water until they start eating solid food.
