Abbie Tomson

Continuity of carer Midwife in the NHS and All4Birth Lead

@all4birth

Summary

Hot weather can make caring for a young baby feel a little more complicated. Babies are more vulnerable to overheating than older children and adults, and overheating is associated with an increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). However, there are plenty of simple things you can do to keep your baby cool, comfortable and safe during hot weather.

This factsheet brings together current UK guidance on keeping babies cool during periods of hot weather, including advice about sleep, clothing, feeding, hydration, prams, sun exposure, fans and recognising heat-related illness.

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Why are babies more vulnerable to heat?

Babies and young children are more vulnerable to becoming unwell in hot weather. Babies have a limited ability to regulate their body temperature and rely on adults to keep their environment at a safe temperature, provide appropriate clothing and ensure they receive enough fluid.^[4]

Overheating can contribute to dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke. In babies, excessive warmth during sleep is also associated with an increased risk of SIDS.^[1,2]

This does not mean that parents need to panic about every warm day or constantly monitor their baby’s temperature. Instead, simple changes to the environment, clothing and feeding can help reduce the risk of overheating.

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Keeping your baby’s room cool

The NHS and The Lullaby Trust recommend a room temperature of around 16–20°C for babies.^[1,2]

However, keeping a baby’s room within this range can be difficult during a heatwave. The Lullaby Trust specifically acknowledges this and provides advice for situations where the room cannot be kept within the recommended range.^[2]

During the day

To help prevent your home and baby’s room from overheating:

• Close curtains or blinds in rooms exposed to direct sunlight.
• Keep windows closed while the outside temperature is hotter than the temperature inside.
• Open windows and doors when the outside air is cooler, if it is safe to do so.
• Open the bedroom door to allow air to circulate.
• Keep your baby’s sleep space away from direct sunlight and heat sources.[^2,5]

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) also recommends closing curtains or blinds in sunny rooms and opening windows when it is cooler outside to help reduce indoor temperatures^.[4,6]

A room thermometer can be useful because it is difficult to accurately judge room temperature by feel alone.^[1,2]

What if the room is still above 20°C?

Don’t panic.

The 16–20°C range is a recommended sleeping temperature, but it is not always possible to achieve during very hot weather. The Lullaby Trust advises continuing to follow safer-sleep guidance while reducing clothing and bedding and taking other measures to keep the room as cool as possible.^[2]

The priority is to avoid your baby becoming too hot, rather than becoming anxious about achieving a particular number on the thermometer.

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Can you use a fan in your baby’s room?

Yes.

The Lullaby Trust specifically advises that a fan can be used to cool a baby’s room.^[2]

However:

• Keep the fan well out of your baby’s reach.
• Do not point the fan directly at your baby.
• Use it to circulate and cool the room air instead.^[2]

A fan is therefore a useful tool during hot weather, particularly when combined with keeping curtains closed during the hottest part of the day and ventilating the room when the outside air becomes cooler.

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What should my baby wear?

When it is hot, babies generally need fewer layers, not more.

The NHS advises that a single lightweight layer is generally enough during hot weather. At night, a baby may be comfortable in a lightweight short-sleeved bodysuit, or even just a nappy during particularly hot weather.^[5]

The Lullaby Trust similarly recommends reducing layers and using lightweight clothing and bedding in hot weather.^[2,7]

Rather than dressing your baby according to a fixed number of layers, regularly check whether they are too hot.

How can you tell if your baby is too hot?

Feel your baby’s:

• chest
• tummy
• or the back of their neck.

If their skin feels hot, sweaty or clammy, remove a layer and try to cool the environment.^[2,5]

Don’t worry if your baby’s hands and feet feel cool. This is normal and is not a reliable indication of their core temperature.^[1,5]

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Safer sleep during hot weather

Hot weather does not change the principles of safer sleep.

Your baby should still:

• be placed on their back to sleep
• sleep on a firm, flat sleep surface
• have their head uncovered
• have a clear sleep space free from pillows, cot bumpers and other soft or loose items
• sleep in their own sleep space in the same room as you for the first six months.^[1,8]

Overheating is associated with an increased risk of SIDS, so it is particularly important not to compensate for warm weather by adding unnecessary bedding or clothing.^[1,2]

If you use a sleeping bag, follow the manufacturer’s guidance about the appropriate tog rating for the room temperature.

Keep baby’s head uncovered

Babies should not sleep with their head covered.

Do not put hats, blankets, muslins or other materials over your baby’s head to try to keep them comfortable or shaded while sleeping.[^1,8]

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Never cover a pram with a muslin or blanket

This is one of the most important messages for hot weather.

It can seem like an obvious solution: drape a muslin or blanket over the pram to provide shade.

Covering a pram can significantly restrict airflow and cause the temperature inside to rise rapidly. It also makes it more difficult for you to see whether your baby is becoming too hot.^[2,9]

Instead:

• keep the pram in the shade
• use a clip-on parasol or purpose-designed sunshade
• ensure air can circulate freely around your baby
• check your baby regularly^.[2,5,9]

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Keeping your baby safe from the sun

Babies under 6 months should be kept out of direct sunlight.^[5]

When outside:

• stay in the shade wherever possible
• use a parasol or suitable pram sunshade
• dress your baby in lightweight clothing
• use a wide-brimmed sunhat
• avoid direct sunlight, particularly when UV levels are high.[5,10]

Physical protection from the sun is particularly important for babies.

For older babies and children, suncream can be used alongside shade and protective clothing. NHS guidance recommends suncream with at least SPF30 and good UVA protection, applied generously and regularly.^[10]

Remember that suncream should not be used as a reason to expose a baby to direct sunlight intentionally.

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Feeding and hydration in hot weather

One of the most common questions parents have during hot weather is whether their baby needs additional water.

The answer depends on how they are fed and whether they have started solids.

Breastfed babies under 6 months

Exclusively breastfed babies do not need additional water before they start eating solid foods.

Breast milk provides both nutrition and fluid, and during hot weather babies may simply want to breastfeed more frequently.^[5,11]

Feeds may become shorter and more frequent as your baby seeks additional fluid.

There is therefore no need to routinely offer water alongside breastfeeds.

Formula-fed babies under 6 months

The NHS advises that formula-fed babies under 6 months may need small sips of cooled, boiled water in addition to their usual milk feeds during hot weather.^[5,12]

The water should not replace their usual formula feeds, and formula should never be diluted to provide additional fluid.

If you are unsure whether your baby needs additional water, or how much to offer, speak to your health visitor, midwife, GP or another appropriate healthcare professional.

Babies over 6 months

Once a baby has started eating solid foods, water can be offered from a cup or beaker.

During particularly hot weather, babies who have started solids may need additional water outside mealtimes.[5]

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Heat exhaustion and heatstroke

Heat exhaustion happens when the body becomes too hot and loses water and salts.

Symptoms can include:

• tiredness or weakness
• dizziness
• headache
• nausea or vomiting
• excessive sweating
• muscle cramps
• thirst
• fast breathing or heartbeat.

If you think your baby or child has heat exhaustion, move them somewhere cool, remove unnecessary clothing, cool their skin and offer fluids if they can drink.^[4]

Heatstroke is an emergency

Heatstroke is much more serious and requires urgent medical treatment.

Signs can include:

• confusion or altered behaviour
• loss of consciousness
• seizures
• very hot skin
• severe deterioration or collapse^.[4]

If you suspect heatstroke, call 999.

Do not wait for your baby or child to become unconscious before seeking emergency help

This factsheet is for general information and does not replace individual clinical advice. If you are concerned about your baby’s health, seek advice from an appropriate healthcare professional.

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