Safe sleeping in the summer
We’ve already posted about the ideal sleeping environment for a baby (read our post here) and pointed out that the ideal temperature for baby’s room should be between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. The problem is, in the summer it’s harder to control the temperature and the last thing you want is baby over heating. But panic not! There are steps you can take to ensure you follow guidelines for safe sleeping in the summer, so hopefully this post will help:
Clothing
Your baby will not need as many layers during the warmer summer months, and don’t forget that a nappy is classed as a layer too. It’s important to remove bedding to keep baby cool, so a good rule of thumb is dress baby in nappy and vest, and cover with just a sheet or thin blanket in very hot weather. If baby is ok with a sleep suit too then fine, but if in doubt go for fewer layers as you think is necessary. Check the temperature in the room and feel under baby’s chin to check for clamminess or sweating. Baby should be warm to the touch but not overheated. If you suspect the latter, get those layers removed.
Bedding
As already mentioned, remove excess bedding such as blankets or duvets that you may have used in cooler weather. On very hot nights, baby should be fine with just a sheet or thin blanket. Remove bumpers from around the crib too so that air can circulate freely. As always, make sure there is no loose bedding or toys inside the cot too.
Cooling baby’s room down
If the temperature in baby’s room is still too hot and you are concerned about this, there are steps you can take to bring it down.
- Use a fan. Before baby goes to bed, set the fan going in the room for at least thirty minutes to cool it down. Make sure the fan is well away from the crib, is not pointing directly at baby, and is nowhere near baby’s face. Keep all leads and fan blades etc away from baby at all times.
- Wet towels. If it’s really humid, hang them over chairs etc in the room to draw the moisture out of the air.
- Keep curtains closed during the day. This will help to keep a lof of heat out of the room and create a nice shady, cooler room.
Other tips for keeping baby cool while sleeping
Never leave baby to sleep in the car. If you’re driving, use sun shades at the window and either air conditioning to keep the car cool, or open windows for fresh air.
If baby falls asleep in the pram, keep them as shaded as possible. Use Snoozeshade 
