Where should you check if the baby is too hot?

You should check the temperature by feeling the baby's chest or the back of the neck, not the hands and feet, which are naturally cooler.

What is the ideal room temperature for a baby to sleep in?

The recommended room temperature for a sleeping baby is between 16 and 20 degrees Celsius.

What is better for a baby in summer: a blanket or a sleep sack?

A sleep sack with a low TOG value is a better choice than a blanket, which the baby can push off or pull over their face.

How can you cool the room where the baby sleeps?

You can use a fan directed away from the baby, keep curtains or blinds down during the day, and open doors and windows for air circulation.

Family

Midwife reveals where parents go wrong when checking a baby's temperature

O.B. · Prije 1 dana | 2 min

Midwife Lily Foggan and The Lullaby Trust explain how to spot overheating and how to cool the room during summer nights.

Summary

Check the baby's temperature on the chest or back of the neck, not on the hands and feet.
The ideal room temperature for a sleeping baby is between 16 and 20 degrees Celsius.
In summer, light clothing and a sleep sack with a low TOG value are better than blankets.
A fan, lowered blinds, and open windows help cool the room.

Make 5MIN.hr a preferred source

Summer heat brings a new worry for parents: how to dress a baby for sleep so they are neither too hot nor too cold. Midwife Lily Foggan explains to Index.hr what to pay attention to during warm nights, with the key recommendation relating to where to check the baby's temperature.

Fingers aren't a reliable gauge; chest and back of the neck are

The most common mistake parents make is checking the temperature on the baby's hands and feet. Foggan warns that these are naturally cooler and therefore not a good indicator of the actual state. Instead, you should feel the baby's chest or the back of the neck.

If the skin in these areas is hot or sweaty, it's a clear sign the baby is too warm. In such a case, you should remove one or more layers of clothing or bedding.

Ideal room temperature and how to achieve it

The Lullaby Trust, a British organization dedicated to safe baby sleep and the prevention of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), recommends that the room where the baby sleeps be kept between 16 and 20 degrees Celsius. The organization advises using a room thermometer, as it's hard to reliably judge the temperature just by how it feels.

In summer, it's not always possible to maintain that temperature, so it's important to adjust the amount of clothing and bedding to the current conditions in the room. A fan can be used to cool the room, but it should be positioned so that the airflow doesn't blow directly on the baby. During the day, curtains or blinds can be kept down to reduce heat buildup, and if it's safe, an open window and door can improve air circulation.

Fewer layers, the right TOG value

"During heatwaves, babies naturally need fewer layers. Light clothing and sleep sacks with a low TOG rating are a better choice than blankets, which the baby can push off or accidentally pull over their face," Foggan tells Index.hr.

The Lullaby Trust notes that during very warm nights, it may be enough for the baby to sleep in just a diaper. How many layers are needed depends on the room temperature, not just the outdoor temperature. It's especially important to avoid overheating the baby, as it poses a serious risk.