NHS midwife Angie Willis, known online as The Eco Midwife, has issued an urgent warning to parents about dressing babies during the UK heatwave, saying that common mistakes like using hats can increase the risk of overheating and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Heatwave Reaches Record Temperatures
An extreme heat warning is in effect for the East of England, London, and South East England, with temperatures predicted to reach 35°C in London and 34°C in Birmingham. On June 25, the mercury hit 36.7°C at Merryfield, Somerset, making it the warmest June day on record for the UK, according to the Met Office.
Angie Willis, who has 14 years of experience and over 100,000 followers on social media, shared her advice in a TikTok video. She emphasized that overheating is a well-established risk factor for SIDS, which can occur in rare cases.
"The reason we are so obsessed as healthcare professionals with baby temperature is because of the risk of overheating, which can, in rare cases, sometimes lead to and be a potential reason behind sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)," she said.
Key Advice: No Hats Indoors
Willis's primary recommendation is to avoid putting hats on babies indoors, as an infant's head is a natural mechanism for releasing excess body heat. Trapping that heat with a hat can lead to overheating, a significant risk factor for SIDS.
According to The Lullaby Trust, hats should never be worn while sleeping, as they increase the risk of SIDS and can pose a suffocation hazard if the hat slips over the face. Leaving a hat on for extended periods can also cause perspiration, heat rash, and trap CO2 if air circulation is limited.
Dressing Baby for the Temperature
Willis advised that if a room thermometer reads above 27°C, parents should dress their baby in just a nappy. Between 24°C and 27°C, a nappy and a cotton vest are sufficient. She also warned against folding muslin cloths, as folding traps heat and increases overheating risk. "Only one single layer and not folding up," she said.
Regarding sleeping bags, Willis urged parents to choose breathable materials like cotton. "Sleeping bags that are made from cotton, that are breathable, enable some of that heat flow to be able to come out and enable that baby to cool down a little bit easier."
How to Check Baby's Temperature
Willis recommended checking a baby's temperature by placing two fingers on their chest or back. "If your baby feels really sticky, clammy, very warm, then remove a layer. If they feel cool to the touch, then add a layer." If a baby's temperature exceeds 38°C, parents should contact their GP, midwife, or call 111 immediately.
A spokesperson for baby care specialists For Your Little One said: "Angie's advice is a really important reminder that dressing a baby in a heatwave is not just about comfort, it is about safety. Parents often add layers out of habit or worry, but in extreme heat, less is genuinely more."
The spokesperson added that a room thermometer is one of the most useful tools for parents, as it helps monitor room temperature accurately, especially in homes that retain heat overnight.
