What is the right room temperature for a baby?

When the bedroom is too hot or too cold, it is difficult to get enough sleep. This is true for both babies and adults. Finding the right room temperature for your child is important for their safety and health.

Best room temperature for babies

Your child cannot put into words how he feels, so you as a parent must find the right room temperature for him. You don't want your child's room to be too hot or too cold. It is recommended that the best temperature for babies is between 20 and 22 degrees Celsius.

Babies are more sensitive to changes in ambient temperature because they are still small and their bodies are still growing. However, around 11 weeks, babies' bodies begin to regulate their temperature at night, just as older adults do. Within four hours before bedtime, the minimum body temperature of infants reaches 36.5°C.

You can monitor the temperature in your child's room with a room thermometer if the room does not have a thermostat. However, there is no need to constantly monitor the temperature or turn on the heating or air conditioning all night if your child is dressed for the weather.

Babies and toddlers feel comfortable in the same room temperature as adults. Sometimes your child will need an extra layer of clothing, but you should dress them the same way you do: not too hot and not too cold.

Why the right temperature matters

Many parents think that they need to keep their child warm and cozy, but this is not entirely true. It is imperative that your child has a stable temperature that is neither too hot nor too cold. In fact, the risk of sudden infant death syndrome increases if your child overheats. Children are at risk of sudden infant death syndrome in the first years of life, but the highest risk occurs in the first six months of life.

Overheating is linked to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, so it's important not to squeeze your baby too hard in winter. Try to keep their room cool during the months when the outside temperature is above 21°C. Some evidence suggests that high ambient temperatures are also associated with sudden infant death syndrome.

Is baby too hot or too cold?

It can be difficult at first to tell if your baby is too hot or too cold. Follow these steps to find the perfect temperature for your little bundle of joy:

Is baby too hot?

To check if your child is too hot, touch the back of their neck to see if they are sweating. Babies don't usually sweat the way adults do, but sweat on their neck can indicate that they're too hot.

You can also try placing your hand on your baby's chest or ears to check their skin temperature. Don't check her hands and feet, as they will always be colder than the rest of your child's body. Your baby's skin may be red or irritated if he gets too hot.

Is baby too cold?

It's a little easier to tell when your baby is too cold. Their arms and legs may turn slightly blue, which is normal for babies. His fingers and toes will be quite cold to the touch, and your baby may even shiver. To keep warm, babies need to burn extra calories they can't save.

How to regulate your baby's temperature

Many parents swaddle or wrap their baby before bed, but this is not necessary. Too many blankets and wrapping the baby too tight increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. Instead, choose the minimum amount of bedding in their crib and consider using a lightweight sleeping bag to keep them comfortable. Never use heating pads or electric blankets in a crib.

During the warm months

When it's warm outside, your child doesn't need to wear as many clothes. Consider using a fan in her room to circulate the air, but don't point it directly at the baby. Research also shows that using a fan in a child's room can reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome.

If it's safe, you can leave the window or door of your child's room open to let in some fresh air and cool him down.

In cooler months

When the weather turns cold, use light, breathable blankets that fit only over your baby's chest, or a light sleeping bag. If you fold the blanket in half, you get two blankets. Make sure his head is not covered to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome.