Baby Sleep Temperature Guidelines

Good sleeping habits are crucial for your baby's healthy development and safety, and keeping your baby's nursery or bedroom at an optimal temperature is an important part of this. Learn what a safe room temperature is for your sleeping baby, how to dress your baby for sleep and how to tell if your baby is too hot or too cold.

What Is the Ideal Room Temperature for a Baby?

Experts recommend keeping your baby’s room between 16 and 20°C in both summer and winter. Staying within this range supports comfortable sleep and helps you maintain the ideal room temperature for baby rest.

Because temperature can affect how well your baby sleeps, it’s helpful to monitor the baby sleep room temperature rather than guessing. Aim for a room temperature for newborn that feels comfortable to you, then check the actual reading to be sure. The Lullaby Trust recommends using a dedicated room thermometer rather than relying on how the room feels, because your perception of warmth can vary.

Some baby monitors also display temperature in real time, which can be a practical extra when you’re adjusting heating or layers.

Why Does Room Temperature Matter for Your Baby's Sleep?

Room temperature can influence how long and how well your baby sleeps. Maintaining a safe sleep temperature for babies is important because babies don’t regulate body heat as effectively as older children and adults, so they can become uncomfortable more quickly. Keeping the room within the recommended range can support calmer, more settled sleep and helps you avoid both chills and overheating.

Keeping your baby’s sleep space within the recommended range also helps reduce the risk of overheating, which is linked to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). In fact, babies are safer being slightly cooler than too hot - being a little cool is far less of a safety risk than overheating. If you’re ever unsure, feel your baby’s chest or the back of their neck to judge warmth, and adjust layers rather than adding bulky bedding.

For more guidance on sleep safety, see safe sleep for babies.

Alongside maintaining a comfortable baby sleep temperature, you can also use the Smart Sleep Coach by Pampers to track sleep patterns and get personalised insights. This can help you notice patterns, such as whether warmer nights coincide with more waking.

How Should You Dress Your Baby for Sleep?

Start by setting the room, then dress your baby to match it. Adjust layers based on the baby sleep room temperature - not on how cold you feel. If the room is within the ideal room temperature for baby sleep (16-20°C), your baby may need fewer layers than you expect.

Choose clothes that fit well - not too tight and not too baggy - and avoid hats indoors. Babies release excess heat through their heads, so covering the head can increase the risk of overheating. For newborns, a well-fitting sleeping bag is safer and simpler than loose blankets.

After dressing them, feel your baby’s chest or the back of their neck to check they’re comfortably warm, then adjust a layer if needed. For more detail, see what to dress your baby in at night.

Baby Sleeping Temperature Guide

It’s important to check your baby to make sure they aren’t too hot or cold, but this rough baby sleeping temperature guide can give you an idea of how you might dress your little one for sleep. Use the baby sleep room temperature as your starting point, then check your baby’s chest or the back of their neck to fine-tune layers. For more practical settling ideas, see baby sleep tips.

• Below 16°C: Consider an extra layer, such as a long-sleeved vest under a sleepsuit, or a higher-tog sleeping bag. Keep the room warm enough if possible, but do not use duvets, quilts or pillows.

• 16-20°C: As a general rule, dress your newborn or older baby in a vest and bodysuit or gown. If the room is at the cooler end, you may choose a warmer sleeping bag with a higher tog rating.

• 20-25°C: A short-sleeved bodysuit may be sufficient, depending on how warm it is. Remove layers if your baby feels hot or sweaty.

• Above 25°C: In very hot weather, a short-sleeved vest or just a nappy may be all that’s needed. Keep the room ventilated and follow summer safer-sleep guidance.

(A well-fitting baby sleeping bag is generally a safer and simpler option than blankets at any temperature, as it reduces the risk of loose bedding covering your baby’s face.) If you’re in any doubt, ask your health visitor or midwife for advice. For safe sleep advice, read our safe sleeping guide for infants.

How Can You Tell if Your Baby Is Too Hot or Too Cold?

If you’re wondering how to tell if baby is too hot or cold, start with a reliable check. To check your baby’s temperature, feel his/her chest or the back of their neck - these are the most reliable indicators.

Do not rely on his/her hands or feet - these will naturally feel cooler than the rest of his/her body, and this is completely normal.

In general, being just a little on the cooler side is less of a safety risk than being too warm, because overheating is linked to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). To keep a safe sleep temperature for babies, adjust one layer at a time and recheck after a few minutes. If you’re still unsure, speak to your health visitor or midwife for guidance.

If your baby seems too hot, remove a layer of clothing or bedding and keep the room comfortably cool. If he/she seem too cold, add a layer and check again. Seek medical advice if you’re worried about your baby’s wellbeing.

Signs your baby may be too hot:

• Damp, sweaty skin and/or hair

• Skin feels hot (not just warm)

• Flushed cheeks

• Restlessness

• Crying

• Heat rash

Signs your baby may be too cold:

• Skin feels cold to the touch (remember: cooler arms, hands or feet can be normal)

• Crying

If your baby feels cold, add an extra layer of clothing or choose a sleeping bag with a higher tog rating.

For more practical settling ideas, see baby sleep tips.

Keeping Your Baby Safe and Comfortable During Sleep

Besides maintaining a comfortable room temperature for your baby to sleep, here are some other important ways to help ensure your baby is safe and comfortable during sleep:

• Always put your baby down to sleep on his/her back. This is the safest sleep position for your baby, as it helps reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Daily tummy time is important but should only be done under your supervision and only when your baby is awake.

• If your baby turns face-down or sideways when sleeping, gently turn him/her back again. You can stop doing this once your little one has learned to roll from back to front and front to back without help - after that it’s fine to let your baby find his/her own sleeping position.

• Your baby is safest sleeping in a separate cot or Moses basket in the same room as you. Sleeping separately but in the same room as you until at least 6 months of age has the lowest risk of SIDS. If you choose to co-sleep with your baby, ask your health visitor or midwife how to minimise the risks.

• Don’t cover your baby’s head. Don’t use a hood or hat to keep him/her warm. If your baby seems cold, add an extra layer of clothing.

• Place your baby with his/her feet at the foot of the cot or Moses basket. This prevents your child from wriggling under the covers, which carries a risk of suffocation or overheating.

• Don’t use bulky or loose bedding. Pillows, duvets and quilts shouldn’t go into your baby’s cot or Moses basket, as they can increase the risk of SIDS. Only use a sheet and/or securely tucked-in blankets, or a baby sleeping bag, as bedding for your baby.

• Remove any objects from the cot. The sleeping space should be free of toys and other items, such as nappies, muslins and pillows.

• Keep the room smoke-free and ventilated.

The Bottom Line

Good sleep is important for your baby's well-being, and if your baby's room is kept at a cool and comfortable temperature, they are more likely to sleep safely and comfortably. And it's not only your baby that benefits from a good night's sleep - more uninterrupted sleep for your little one can also mean more shuteye for you. In the first few weeks and months after your baby is born, even a little extra downtime can mean a lot!