Baby it's hot in here! 

12 May 2008

Summertime can be a fantastic time for both mother and baby, but as your baby’s temperature control system hasn’t fully developed, overheating (thought to be an important risk factor in cot death) is something every parent should be aware of.

Despite warm weather becoming a more regular occurrence in the UK, many parents are often more concerned about their child not being warm enough rather than being too hot. In fact parents need to make sure their babies don’t get too cold or too hot. Here are some important things to consider to avoid overheating. 

1. Babies don't need hot rooms
Babies don’t need especially hot rooms, and all night heating is rarely necessary even in winter. A comfortable temperature for the room where your baby sleeps is16-20C, but in summer the temperature can easily exceed this. Don’t try and guess the temperature of the room, keep an eye on it using a simple room thermometer. These are widely available on the high street, or you can visit our shop or call 020 7222 8001 for an FSID thermometer priced £2.75. This advice doesn’t just apply to the bedroom, as research shows that temperatures in living rooms were significantly higher than in bedrooms, so it’s important to bear this advice in mind whatever room you’re in.

2. Check your baby’s temperature
Advice on room temperature is intended as a guide. Every baby is different, and will need very different things. So while it’s important to be informed about overheating you need to check your baby regularly to see if he or she is too hot. Look for sweating or feel the baby’s tummy – your baby's hands and feet will usually be cooler, that’s normal. If your baby is hot, remove one or more layers of bedclothes. Babies who are unwell need fewer, not more bedclothes.

3. Lightweight clothing and blankets for sleep
Use one or more layers of light blankets in summer, so that if your baby gets too hot or too cold, you can add or remove layers easily. In fact, in warm summer weather your baby may not need any bed clothes at all. If you swaddle your baby, don’t cover the head, and only use thin materials. If you use a baby sleeping bag, it needs to be without a hood and the right size around the neck so your baby won’t slip down inside the bag. And don’t forget to choose a sleeping bag that’s suitable for the season, for example choose a low tog one for summer (0.5 or 1 tog) and never use a baby sleeping bag with a duvet.

4. Keeping cool
Think about where your baby’s cot or moses basket is placed and where the sun comes into the room (as it can get very hot). We recommend that the baby sleeps in their own cot or crib in a room with you for the first six months, and that the cot should not be place next to a window or radiator. The room your baby sleeps in will be cooler if you close the curtains and open the windows during the day. Use a fan to cool the room before your baby goes to bed. You can leave the fan on, but don’t direct it at your baby. It’s important that the fan be put in a suitable position, and that the cable is out of reach. It’s also important to remember that duvets, quilts, pillows, electric blankets and hot water bottles, are not suitable for babies under one year old.

Babies lose excess heat from their heads, so always make sure your child's head is uncovered before going to sleep. Place your baby at the foot of the cot so that they can't wriggle down under the sheets. Tuck-in the sheets securely under the arms, this way your child will be comfortable without slipping under the sheets.

5. When you’re out and about
Never leave your baby in the car, especially in summer when the temperature in your car can rise rapidly and use window blinds to keep the sun off her when you’re driving.

6. Ask for advice
Whatever your question, whether a niggling worry or a burning anxiety that is keeping you up at night, FSID’s helpline advisors will be happy to help. Call 020 7233 2090 The helpline is available to pregnant mums, dads, new parents, grandparents, childminders, midwives, health visitors and anyone else who looks after a baby.