Struggling to keep your baby cool at bedtime? Hot summer nights can disrupt your baby’s sleep, leaving them cranky, overtired, or waking more often. Babies can’t regulate their body temperature like adults, so it's important to create a safe and cool sleep environment for them.
In this guide, you’ll find practical ways to help your baby sleep better during warm weather - from room setup and sleepwear to hydration tips and cooling tricks.
Quick Checklist: Summer Sleep Essentials for Babies
✔ Room temperature between 16–20°C
✔ Blackout blinds closed during the day
✔ 0.5 TOG muslin sleeping bag for 24°C+
✔ Lukewarm bath before bed
✔ Short-sleeved vest or just a nappy
✔ Open window at night (if cooler outside)
✔ Fan with no direct airflow
✔ Room-temperature milk feeds
✔ Sips of water if baby is over 6 months
Expert Tips to Keep Your Baby Cool at Night
1. Give a Lukewarm Bath Before Bed
A short, lukewarm bath helps reduce your baby’s body temperature. Keep it brief to avoid overcooling, and start winding down straight afterwards.
2. Keep the Room Cool
Aim for a room temperature between 16-20°C. During the day, close blackout blinds and windows to keep heat out. In the evening, open the windows to let in cooler air. A simple trick is to place a frozen bottle of water in front of a fan to help circulate cooler air but don’t let the fan blow directly onto your baby.
3. Avoid Dry Air
Air conditioning and constant fan use can dry out your baby’s airways. If you’re using a fan, place it away from your baby and only run it to ventilate the room before bedtime rather than all night.
4. Use a Light Water Spray or Damp Cloth
A gentle mist of cool water can help soothe warm skin. Lightly spray your baby’s legs and arms or gently wipe them with a damp, not wet, cloth especially behind the knees, on the neck and wrists.
5. Dress for the Temperature
On very warm nights, your baby may only need a nappy or short-sleeved vest. For added comfort and safe sleep, use a 0.5 TOG muslin sleeping bag if the room is over 24°C. For slightly cooler conditions, a 1.0 TOG cotton sleeping bag is a breathable alternative that still allows airflow while providing a little more warmth.
6. Offer Milk at Room Temperature
There's no need to warm formula or expressed milk in hot weather. Room-temperature feeds help avoid raising your baby’s body temperature and are perfectly safe.
7. Give Water After 6 Months
If your baby is under 6 months, breast milk or formula alone is enough to meet their fluid needs. Once your baby reaches 6 months, you can offer small sips of cooled boiled water during the day or evening if temperatures are unusually high to help prevent dehydration.
FAQs: Baby Sleep in Hot Weather
➤ Can my baby sleep in just a nappy or vest?
Yes, if the room is 24°C or warmer, a single light layer or just a nappy is usually fine.
➤ Should I open the window while my baby sleeps?
Only if it’s cooler outside than inside. This helps improve air circulation without relying on fans.
➤ Can I leave a fan on overnight?
It’s not advised. Fans can dry out the air and cause your baby to become too cold. Use them only before bedtime to cool the room.
➤ Does my baby need water at night in hot weather?
Only if they’re over 6 months, and then only small sips. Younger babies should stick to breast milk or formula.
➤ How can I tell if my baby is too hot?
Check their chest or neck - they should feel warm, not hot or sweaty. A flushed face, damp hair or rapid breathing are signs they may be overheating.
Keep Your Baby Cool and Comfortable All Night
If you’re looking for a safe and breathable sleep solution for warm nights, explore Slumbersac’s lightweight summer sleeping bags.
Our 0.5 TOG muslin sleeping bags are ultra-light and breathable and perfect for heatwaves and overnight temperatures above 24°C. For slightly cooler nights, our 1.0 TOG cotton sleeping bags offer a soft, breathable option that helps regulate your baby’s temperature without overheating.
Both styles are designed to support restful sleep all summer long.
👉 Shop our Summer Sleeping Bags now and help your baby stay cool, safe and snug all night.
