A Peaceful Night's Sleep - Even Durin Summer

When temperatures rise, many parents face a common challenge: what should they dress their baby in at night to ensure they are comfortable and neither too hot nor too cold? As babies cannot yet regulate their own body temperature effectively, a suitable sleeping environment is essential, especially on hot days.

📌 Key facts for hot summer nights

• Check the temperature: It is best to feel the back of your baby’s neck rather than their hands or feet.
• The TOG rating: This indicates how warm a sleeping bag is. A rating of 0.5 TOG is ideal for the height of summer.
• Ideal clothing: When the room temperature is 24 °C or above, a short-sleeved bodysuit combined with a lightweight sleeping bag is usually sufficient.
• Fans: These can be used to circulate the air in the room, but the airflow should not be directed straight at your baby.
• Windows: Airing the room thoroughly before bedtime is helpful, but afterwards, avoid draughts directly around the cot.

The neck test

The best way to check your baby’s temperature reliably is the neck test.
Simply place two fingers on the back of your baby’s neck.

Dry and comfortably warm: The temperature is ideal, and your little one is comfortable.
Damp, sweaty or very warm: Your baby may be too hot. It is best to remove a layer of clothing, for example by leaving off the sleeping bag.

Please note: Cool hands and feet are perfectly normal in babies and are not a sign that they are cold, as the blood circulation in their arms and legs is still developing.

Frequently asked questions about babies’ sleep in summer

Can I leave the window open in the baby’s room at night?
Yes, gentle air circulation can be pleasant. You can tilt the window or open it fully. Just make sure the cot is not in a direct draught. A mosquito net is also useful for keeping insects out.

Is it okay to use a fan or air conditioning in the baby’s room?
A fan can be used to cool the room and keep the air circulating. Adjust the airflow so that it does not blow directly onto your baby. It is best to use air conditioning to cool the room before bedtime and switch it off once your baby is asleep in the room.

Why does my baby sleep so restlessly in hot weather?
Hot weather can make it harder for babies to sleep comfortably and settle into deeper sleep. Babies may also need more fluids on hot days. If you are breastfeeding, you can offer your baby feeds more frequently, including at night, to help keep them hydrated and comfortable.

What exactly is the TOG rating?
TOG stands for Thermal Overall Grade and is a unit of measurement used to indicate the thermal insulation of textiles.
Put simply, the value tells you how warm a sleeping bag is. The higher the number, the warmer the sleeping bag. This helps you choose a suitable model for the current temperature.