With temperatures reaching 38C in parts of England, a registered midwife has cautioned parents against a common mistake when dressing babies for sleep in hot weather.
Midwife's warning on nappy-only sleep
Lily Foggan, a registered midwife, said that while babies need fewer layers in hot weather, leaving them in just a nappy overnight is a mistake. She explained that parents often fear their baby getting too hot, but babies need something similar to what adults wear.
"In hot weather, babies obviously need fewer layers than normal. Lightweight sleepwear and lower-tog sleep bags are usually preferable to blankets, which can be kicked off or accidentally cover a baby's face," she said.
"However, a common mistake I see is parents leaving their baby in a nappy overnight, with nothing else, in fear of them getting too hot. Remember, usually we're sleeping with a duvet and pyjamas, so they will need something similar."
Checking baby's temperature
Foggan advised parents to check their baby's chest or the back of the neck for an accurate indication of temperature, or to use a thermometer. She recommended the Tommee Tippee No Touch Digital Thermometer for its convenience.
Tips from The Lullaby Trust
The Lullaby Trust, which advises maintaining nursery temperatures between 16–20°C to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, has shared several tips for keeping babies cool during a heatwave.
These include using lighter bedding and clothing, opening the bedroom door and a window if safe, checking baby sleep bag guidance for tog ratings, using a fan but not aimed directly at the baby, keeping curtains closed during the day, and using a thermometer to check the room temperature.
