Key Points
- The ideal temperature to keep your baby’s cot in summer is between 18 to 20 degrees Celsius
- Using a fan or air conditioning and keeping the windows and doors open to ensure good ventilation can help keep a cot cool in summer
We’ve all experienced the difficulty of getting to sleep in the summer heat, so imagine how difficult it is for babies! Overheating can also increase the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), so it is vital that you know how to keep your baby’s cot cool in summer.
Today we’re looking at how you can do this and why it’s so important.
In This Article
- How Can You Keep Your Baby And Their Cot Cool In Summer?
- What Is The Ideal Temperature For Your Baby’s Room?
- What Are The Signs Your Baby Is Overheating?
- How To Monitor Your Baby’s Comfort?
How Can You Keep Your Baby And Their Cot Cool In Summer?
Below we have outlined seven tips for how to keep your baby’s cot cool during the summer heat:
- Keep The Air Flowing
Our first tip is always to keep air flowing around your baby’s room. Still air can make it seem even warmer, so don’t keep the doors and windows closed if you can help it. Open the windows, but keep the curtains drawn. This prevents bright sunlight from entering the room and warming it up, while still keeping a flow of air coming into the room.
Keep the bedroom door open as well, so cool air from the rest of the house can enter your baby’s room. The more windows you can open within your home, the better!
- Dress Your Baby Appropriately
Dressing your baby appropriately during hot nights is vital. Babies release body heat through their heads and faces, so avoid covering these parts of their bodies with clothes. Likewise, dress them in lightweight, breathable clothes.
- Use Breathable Bedding
Bamboo and cotton sheets are some of the most breathable, and these will be best for summer nights. Your mattress should also be breathable, so look for one with air-pocket technology to keep air circulating around your little one at night.
Babies can sleep for 12 hours at night, so lying on a mattress that traps heat can become very uncomfortable. Always opt for breathable bedding, regardless of season, because air circulation is key for keeping your baby healthy.
- Choose The Correct Cot
Choosing the best cot is also very important. You want to choose a cot that will allow ample airflow through it. Cots with solid sides might trap heat, for example, and make it difficult for hot air to escape from around your baby. Cots with bars, on the other hand, make it much easier for the warm heat to escape. Look for a cot with ample breathability and air circulation opportunities.
- Use A Fan Or Air Conditioning
Using a fan is an excellent way of cooling a room down as it generates a cool breeze to push the hot air around, cooling it as it moves. Put the fan on a low setting and make sure it is facing away from your baby, as facing a fan directly at your baby might make them too cold. Keep it away from the cot as well, as we don’t want them pulling the fan into their bed with them.
Air conditioning is another good option, as long as the machine isn’t too loud that it disrupts your baby’s sleep. An air conditioning unit can give you peace of mind by keeping the room at the safest and best temperature for babies to sleep in, which is between 18 and 22 degrees Celsius.
- Keep Your Baby Hydrated
Like adults, babies need liquids to stay hydrated. Babies under six months should be offered more milk, whether that’s breastmilk or formula.
Babies over six months old can have water, too. The safe recommended amount of water to offer is between 8 and 12 ounces in addition to regular feedings. Giving them a sip of water will keep them hydrated and help cool them down, especially if the water is cold.
- Choose The Best Cot Location
The best place to put a cot is away from direct sunlight, radiators, and heaters. It should be near an open window, but not close to it, so the sunlight can’t heat the mattress. Test different positions in their nursery to see which feels coolest. The cot should be away from cold drafts and hot spots to keep your baby safe while they sleep.
What Is The Ideal Temperature For Your Baby’s Room?
Research has shown that babies generally sleep best in a room between 18°C and 20°C. You can monitor room temperature using a simple room thermometer or a thermostat.
To check your baby’s body temperature, you gently touch their back, stomach, and head. Never use their hands or feet as a reliable way to gauge their temperature, as hands and feet are often cooler than the rest of our bodies.
What Are The Signs Your Baby Is Overheating?
As a parent, it is vital to know the signs to look for when it comes to your baby overheating, as it can keep them safe. You want to catch overheating early because if you leave your baby for too long when they are heat stressed, they can become dehydrated and even increase the risk of SIDS.
We’ve detailed some of the signs of overheating below:
- Hot to your touch (with or without a fever)
- Sweating excessively or feeling clammy
- Acting restless and irritable
- Overtired, slow, and sluggish
- Dizziness and nausea
- Having fewer wet nappies
You need to immediately cool your baby down and get them hydrated if your baby has any of these symptoms, alone or together. Below we have detailed the signs of dehydration in babies:
- Increased heart rate and breathing
- Having little energy
- Very irritable or lethargic
- Looking pale
- Lacking tears when crying
- Dry lips
- Flattened fontanelle (soft spot on the head)
- Fewer wet nappies
You must try to get some liquids into your baby’s system slowly if you think your baby is dehydrated. Contact your doctor for more help or if you’re concerned about them not drinking enough.
How To Monitor Your Baby’s Comfort?
Babies often don’t wake up when they’re too hot, and this can be a big concern when overheating has been linked with SIDs. You can monitor their comfort by touching their skin – if they’re hot to touch, remove some layers and wait for them to cool down.
We always recommend increasing the amount of fluids you offer your baby in the summer. When you notice they’re drinking more, it’s a good indicator that they’re too warm. Fewer wet nappies can also indicate that they’re too hot and not drinking enough.
You should also monitor their skin, as heat rashes can appear when they’re too warm. When you spot a heat rash, apply a cool compress and dress them in loose clothing. Keep their room as cool as possible to prevent the rash from coming back.
Some babies simply become more irritated when they’re warm, so if your little one suddenly isn’t acting like themselves in summer, consider whether they’re just too hot.
Final Thoughts On How To Keep A Cot Cool In Summer
In hot weather, babies can overheat quickly, increasing the risk of SIDS. Therefore, you must try to keep your baby cool and comfortable in very hot weather. Using breathable bedding, a fan or air conditioning, and positioning the cot correctly can help you keep them cool during summer.
You should also offer your child more fluids during hot weather and cooler baths. Dress them in lightweight, layered clothing so that you can remove and add layers when the weather changes.