Goldie Locks was onto something when she said things are better when they’re neither too hot nor too cold but just the right temperature. When it comes your baby, nailing that perfect temperature for their room is crucial for their comfort and wellbeing.
While keeping your baby comfortable when they are out of the house is often top-of-mind, it’s important to not forget their sleep space. Your newborn spends quite a lot of time in their room in the early days of life. Ensuring the right temperature of your baby’s room promotes better sleep and has safety benefits, including reducing their risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
But what exactly is the ideal temperature for your newborn’s sleep space, room, or nursery and how do you know when it’s not right? Here we review ways to maintain the temperature of your baby’s room and share tips to create the perfect environment, so your baby sleeps like a dream.
{{table_of_contents}}
The Ideal Temperature for a Baby’s Room
The ideal temperature for any baby’s room according to pediatricians and sleep experts is between 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit (20 to 22 degrees Celsius). This is the temperature that reduces the risk of your baby overheating and ensures your baby doesn't get too cold. Babies also sleep best at this temperature – adults do too!
Newborns and infants are not able to regulate their temperature as easy as older children or adults. This is why it’s so important to keep an eye on the temperature of your baby’s room and adjust it if it’s too hot or too cold.
Why the Temperature of Your Baby’s Room is So Important
Setting the right temperature in your baby's room is not just about comfort; it's also about safety.
Research has shown a potential link between overheating and an increased risk of SIDS, the unexplained death of a seemingly healthy baby under one. Since babies are not able to regulate their temperature as well as older children and adults, they can overheat if they are too hot, which is known to be a risk factor for SIDS.
Overheating can also lead to heat stroke or other heat-related illnesses, which can be incredibly dangerous for younger children. It’s important to note that in extreme circumstances, super cold rooms can lead to hypothermia and even frost bite.
When it comes to comfort, the proper temperature of your baby’s room can help them fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. According to Mandy Treeby, Pediatric Sleep Consultant and Co-founder of the Smart Sleep Coach by PampersTM app, sleep environment is one of the main fundamentals of baby sleep, along with a biologically aligned schedule and bedtime routine.
What is a Normal Temperature for a Baby?
An average body temperature is around 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (37.0 degrees Celsius). The temperature of your baby can change depending on how old they are, their activity level, and what type of thermometer you use – babies often have temperatures that are a little higher that older kids and adults. Many experts say that a temperature is most accurate for children 3 and younger on a rectal thermometer.
The American Academy of Pediatrics says the time of day can also affect your baby’s temperature. They say that in the late afternoon or early evening the reading on a thermometer can be higher than at night or first thing in the morning. Your baby’s surroundings can also affect their internal body temperature.
High temperature for baby
A high temperature, also known as a fever, is a sign that your body is fighting of an infection. Normal range of fever changes by age and higher in newborns and young infants. A fever can be considered 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) or higher on a rectal or forehead thermometer.
Unlike a fever which is caused by your body temperature raising to fight off an infection, a heat-related illness or heat stroke is caused by your body temperature raising because of the temperature of the environment or dehydration. In this case, hot weather or a hot space can cause your body’s temperature to raise to an unsafe level of 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius) which requires emergency attention. Dressing your baby too warm when they are outside on a hot and humid day could potentially lead to heat stroke.
If your newborn has a fever or high temperature, you should call your healthcare provider immediately.
Low temperature for baby
On the other hand, hypothermia is a medical emergency that happens when your body’s temperature drops below 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius). Indoor temperatures of 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15.5 Celsius) to 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18 Celsius) can even cause hypothermia if your baby is exposed for an extended period.
When your body’s temperature is too low, your body loses heat more quickly, and babies already lose heat faster than adults. When this happens, important organs are affected. If this is not medically treated this can cause organ failure.
Experts suggest you always dress your infant in one layer of clothing more than you’re wearing. This is especially in cold temperatures.
How Do You Maintain Your Baby's Room at the Right Temperature?
Maintaining the ideal room temperature for your baby is essential, especially if you live in climates that experience cold winters and/or hot summers.
Setting the thermostat to the correct temperature of 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit (20 to 22 degrees Celsius) is just one part of maintaining the right temperature for your baby while they are sleeping.
Other ways to support a comfortable temperature in your baby's room include:
- Keep Crib Away from Heat and Cold Sources. This includes windows or radiators which could change your baby’s internal temperature or the close area around them.
- Consider a Separate Bedroom Thermostat. A separate bedroom thermostat gives you more control over the temperature of your baby’s room.
- Check Your Baby Often. If it’s extreme weather, check on your baby during sleep until they reach 12 months old to see if they are too hot or too cold and adjust accordingly. Some baby monitors include a temperature reading to help you gauge the temperature.
- Use a Fan. While fans do not reduce the room’s temperature, fans can help with airflow and make your baby feel cooler. The American Academy of Pediatrics says there is not enough evidence to show if using a fan can reduce SIDS.
Are baby monitor temperatures accurate?
Some people choose to use a baby monitor that has a built-in thermometer or sensor. According to experts and parents who use monitors, the accuracy can depend on different factors such as where the monitor is placed and what monitor your purchase.
According to the National Insitute of Standards and Technology, part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, the most accurate, safe, and convenient way to measure air temperature is using an electronic thermometer.
The Risks of a Too Hot or Too Cold Room
There are many risks of your baby’s room being too hot or too cold. Risks can include:
- Overheating: If your baby's room is too warm, they may become overheated, leading to discomfort, excessive sweating, and difficulty sleeping. Overheating can also increase the risk of dehydration and heat-related illnesses.
- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS): Research suggests that overheating, which can happen if your baby’s room is too warm, is a risk factor for SIDS. Babies who become too hot while sleeping may have difficulty regulating their body temperature, which can increase the risk of SIDS.
- Dehydration: Babies can become dehydrated more quickly than adults, especially in hot or humid conditions. If the room temperature is too high, your baby may sweat excessively, leading to fluid loss and dehydration.
- Hypothermia: If your baby's room is too cold, they may be at risk of hypothermia, a dangerous condition when your body drops to an abnormally low body temperature and struggles to create heat to get warm. Hypothermia is considered a life-threatening emergency.
- Disrupted Sleep: Temperature is one of the fundamentals of healthy sleepy for a baby. If the temperature is too hot or too cold, your baby's sleep patterns may be disrupted which can lead to restlessness, frequent waking during the night, and difficulty settling back to sleep. Not getting the restorative sleep they need can affect your baby's mood, behavior, and overall development. If your baby's sleep seems off, download the Smart Sleep Coach by PampersTM app which create a custom plan to help you fine-tine your baby’s sleep environment, so they sleep like a dream.
Signs Your Baby’s Room Temperature is the Wrong Temperature
Signs your baby is too hot when sleeping:
- Sweating or damp hair
- Flushed or red skin
- Hot chest or skin warm to touch
- Fast breathing
- Restlessness or extra fussy
If your baby has signs of being too hot accompanied by a high temperatureshi, call your pediatrician or seek medical care immediately. The American Academy of Pediatrics cautions that fevers are not the same as heat-related illness or heat stroke.
Signs your baby is too cold when sleeping:
- Cool or cold skin
- Shivering or trembling
- Difficulty settling
- Difficulty staying asleep
- Cold hands and feet
In extreme cases, being too cold could lead to hypothermia, which is a life-threatening emergency, or other cold-related illnesses such as frost bite.
If you're worried about your baby getting cold, you can dress them in layers of clothing or use a wearable blanket. Experts don’t recommend putting a hat on your baby when they sleep. In general, you should dress your baby in only one layer more than you're wearing.
Safe Sleep Reminders
Here are some tips for keeping your baby safe and comfortable when sleeping:
During Warm Weather:
- Use lightweight, breathable bedding to prevent overheating
- Keep the room well-ventilated with fans or air conditioning
- Dress your baby in light, moisture-wicking clothing to help regulate their body temperature
- Avoid direct sunlight by using blackout curtains or shades during the hottest parts of the day
During Cold Weather:
- Keep the room comfortably warm by using a central heating system or a safely placed space hater
- Dress your baby in cozy, snug-fitting clothing, such as footed pajamas and a sleep sack
- Check for drafts and use draft stoppers or weather stripping to keep cold air out
A rule of thumb is to dress your baby in an extra later than you. The American Academy of Pediatrics says that babies should not where a hat when indoors, which includes when sleeping.
Other important safe sleep reminders for your baby include always putting them to sleep on their back and keeping any soft items or toys out of the crib until they are one year old.
Final Thoughts
The temperature of your baby’s room plays a big role in encouraging healthy sleep and keeping them safe during naps and nighttime.
Maintaining the ideal temperature in your baby's room of between 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit (20 to 22 degrees Celsius) can reduce the risk of overheating and SIDS, as well as hypothermia. The proper sleep environment is one of the main fundamentals of baby sleep. Ensuring the ideal temperature plays a major role in helping promote healthy sleep patterns for your baby and encourage them to fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.
It’s important to keep an eye out for signs that your baby is either too hot or too cold. If you have any questions about your baby’s room temperature, speak to your pediatrician.
