Finally we have some nice weather and we are now all complaining it is too hot, plus worrying about what our babies should sleep in! Keeping your baby sleeping safely in hot weather is essential. You are probably quite experienced in getting the temperature right using a baby sleeping bag for our normal temperatures but here are a few tips to manage the summer heat.

It is important we make sure baby doesn’t get too hot or too cold for safe sleep without increased risk of SIDS.

A bedroom temperature of 16-20 degrees is ideal but in a heatwave we are getting temperatures of up to 28 degrees!

My top tips:

• USE A ROOM THERMOMETER– One of my top buys is the Grobag Egg. It is an accurate way of reading the temperature of your baby’s room.

• SAFE BEDTIME CLOTHES – I am a big fan of a sleeping bag. They are available in numerous tog ratings from 3.5tog to 0.5 tog; the latter is useful for such hot weather.

Here is a rough guide of how to safely dress your baby depending on the temperature:

27 degrees + – vest and nappy or nappy only

24-27 degrees – short sleeved vest and 0.5 tog sleeping bag

21-23 degrees – short or long sleeved vest and 1 tog sleeping bag

17 -20 degrees – babygro and 2.5 tog sleeping bag

Below 16 degrees – Babygro, vest and 2.5 tog sleeping bag

• COOLER BATH – a cooler than usual bath before bed. Your baby will be sweaty and clammy as sweating is babies’ natural way to regulate their temperature.

• INCREASED FLUIDS – Breast milk is as hydrating as water so no additional water is required for breastfed babies, though that may need increased feeds. Formula fed babies should be offered cooled boiled water in excessive heat. I try not to do this too close to a feed (within 30 minutes) so that they still feed hungry for their milk feeds.

• USE A FAN – A fan will keep the air moving through the room and create a very welcome breeze. Bottles of frozen water in front of the fan will help to cool the room down quicker.

• OPEN WINDOWS AND KEEP BLINDS PARTIALLY DOWN – Make sure you do this several hours before nap time and bedtime. Keeping the blind partially down helps to stop the room heating up in direct sunlight but still allows the flow of air.

• WATCH THE TEMPERATURE – In the UK temperatures can change rapidly so regularly check the temperature throughout the night. You may need to remove or add more layers. Don’t be afraid to disturb your baby’s sleep – keeping them safe is the priority.

• CHECK YOUR BABY – Too hot? Too cold? Put your hand on their tummy or the back of the neck to get the most accurate idea of how hot your baby is. Their arms and legs are always cooler.

Hope you all get a safe night sleep! Enjoy the sunshine!

This blog is only intended as a guide and is my personal opinion only. Check your baby often during times of excessive heat, all babies are different.