16/07/2026
⚠️ Save this post! If you are wondering how you should dress your baby for sleep in hot temperatures this summer, check out this guide and save this post to refer back to🌡️
Babies and toddlers under 12 months old are not able to regulate their temperature very well, this function develops as they grow. All babies/toddlers are different and will begin to regulate their body temperatures at different stages so you will figure out what is right for your child.
Remember to touch the back of their neck with the back of your hand to assess body temp rather than checking their hands or feet. The neck should feel warm. If the baby feels hot or his/her skin is damp from sweating, remove some of the bedding. A normal temperature in babies and children is about 36.4C (NHS)
Use layers of clothing with a sleeping bag or lightweight blanket, that can be easily removed or added, while you try to find the right combination. If using a blanket or sheet, follow The Lullaby Trust guidance on placing baby on their back with their feet at the end of their cot or Moses basket, so they can’t wriggle down under their bedding, and ensure the blanket/sheet is tucked in firmly and not above shoulder height.
For older children, the guidance about ideal room temperature is largely the same.
Thank you to The Lullaby Trust for this guidance 💚