You can tell if your baby is too hot if their neck, back or tummy is sweaty or warm to the touch. Avoid the 'touch test' on a baby's hands and feet, as these will usually feel colder than the rest of their body and give an inaccurate body temperature.
A baby can overheat when they're asleep because of too much bedding or clothes, or because the room is too hot.
Babies will wake and cry if they're a bit chilly, and you can solve the problem then. But they won't likely do the same if they're too hot. And while I don't like to spark fear, especially when the summertime heat is beyond our control, overheating is a risk factor for SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).
A baby is a lot less likely to cry if it's too hot than if it's too cold, because the heat can make your little one more lethargic and less responsive. Although some babies do cry if they're too hot, it's more likely that your baby will get restless or cranky rather than tearful.
SIDS is less common after 8 months of age, but parents and caregivers should continue to follow safe sleep practices to reduce the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related causes of infant death until baby's first birthday. More than 90% of all SIDS deaths occur before 6 months of age.
Babies who are affected by heat stress feel overly warm to touch, can be irritable, look unwell, be floppy and their skin is drier. If you think your baby has overheated, take them inside and remove their clothing. Give them a bath and offer a feed.
"It is important we make sure baby doesn't get too hot or too cold for safe sleep without increased risk of SIDS. "A bedroom temperature of 16-20 degrees is ideal but in a heatwave we are getting temperatures of up to 28 degrees."
The Optimal Temperature for a Baby's Room in Australia
So much so that any changes in room temperature can make them fussy. That's why, according to The Sleep Store Australia, your baby's room shouldn't be either too hot or too cold. It should be somewhere between 18 to 22 degrees Celsius.
The ideal room temperature should be around 18 degrees. Open windows to try and get a breeze going. A fan directed against a wall will cool the room without blowing directly onto the baby. You could also hang a damp towel or sheet in front of the fan, not over it.
Room under 16 degrees: Use a 2.5 tog bag with a cotton bodysuit and sleepsuit. Room at 17-21 degrees: Use a 2.5 tog with a cotton bodysuit. Room at 22 to 25 degrees: Use a lightweight 1.5 tog with a cotton bodysuit. Room above 25 degrees: Use a 0.5 tog sheet or muslin bag and a short-sleeved bodysuit.
Q: Is 78 degrees too hot for baby to sleep? A: Yes, 78 degrees Fahrenheit (25.6 degrees Celsius) is considered too hot for a baby to sleep comfortably. It is recommended to keep the room temperature between 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit (20-22 degrees Celsius) for a safe and comfortable sleeping environment for infants.
Babies control their temperature predominantly through the face and head. Sleeping baby on their back, with their head and face uncovered is the best way to protect baby from overheating.
Do Babies Sleep Better in a Cold Room? Babies tend to sleep better in a comfortably cool room. Because babies have a greater proportion of exposed surface area for their weight, it is easier for them to lose body heat.
In summary, it is difficult to conclude which is better for babies to sleep with a fan or an air conditioner because both methods have their own pros and cons. Parents should depend on the actual circumstances to use the fan or air conditioner accordingly. Newborns are generally susceptible to respiratory diseases.
You don't want your baby's room to be either too hot or too cold. It's recommended that the best temperature for babies is between 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit or 20 to 22 degrees Celsius.
It is important to make sure that your baby is a comfortable temperature – not too hot or too cold. The chance of SIDS is higher in babies who get too hot. A room temperature of 16-20°C – with light bedding or a lightweight, well-fitting baby sleep bag– is comfortable and safe for sleeping babies.
If the room is warm (22 degrees), then baby should be in a 1.0 tog sleeping bag and wear a long-sleeved bodysuit. If the room is slightly cooler (20 degrees), then baby should be in a 2.5 tog sleeping bag and wear a long-sleeved bodysuit.
When temperatures get extreme (24+ degrees) it is important not to overdress your baby for bedtime. Really when it is this hot all they need is a thin cotton vest and their nappy. Extra layers mean extra risk of overheating, keep it minimal. Or you could opt for a cool summer muslin sleeping bag.
Between 9-12 months, your baby should be able to fully adapt their body temperature to the external conditions. What you can do to help your baby to regulate their body temperature.
According to Cleveland Clinic, babies should sleep in rooms between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, which is equivalent to 18-21 degrees Celsius.
Overheating may increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in babies one month to one year of age. Many experts recommend that the temperature in the room where a baby's sleeps be kept between 68–72°F (20–22.2°C).
Even if babe is super warm, if they are breathing in cold air, it can wake them up. This is often the cause for early morning waking - as a baby who has gone to bed in a cold room wakes up as the temp drops suddenly in the early hours.
It happens because their system of thermoregulation is not yet developed properly. As a result, babies do not have enough fat in their bodies and have more water. Their skin also does not contain enough sweat glands. These factors contribute to making their bodies hot and cold quicker than adults.