Baby Sleep Temperature Guidelines to Follow

Okay. You’ve brought this little human home. Now what? Turns out, they’re a rather difficult customer. They scream when they’re hungry, expect you to clean up their poop, and then have the audacity to issue their own list of baby sleep temperature guidelines. (BTW, if you’re looking for those guidelines, we’ve published them here. Babies are the worst typists.)
So what’s the best newborn room temp? We’ll help you make them as comfortable and safe as can be—provided they turn on the charm and meet their daily cuteness quota. Seems a fair deal.

In this article: 📝

Baby room temperature

Creating an optimal sleeping environment for your baby is important for all sorts of reasons. It can improve their sleep quality (and yours at the same time) and go a long way to keeping them healthy.

If the task of finding the perfect baby sleeping temperature is stressing you out, use your own comfort as a guide. If you’re feeling too hot or too cold, chances are, they are too. Investing in a room thermometer is also not a bad idea. It can take the guesswork out of the whole process and let you (and your little one) rest easier.

What is the ideal temperature for babies?

Here are some basic baby sleep temperature guidelines:

Baby sleep temperature is governed by a combo of room temperature and what your baby is dressed/wrapped in.

The ideal temperature for a baby’s room is between 68 and 72℉. Too cold, and they get fussy. Too hot, and they may actually be at risk. Because babies have not quite mastered the art of regulating their own body temperature, mamas have to do it for them.

When it comes to sleep attire, think simple – like just a onesie or something similar. No need for extra hats and socks. Over-bundling can lead to overheating.

In terms of bedding, The American Association of Pediatrics actually recommends sleep clothing (such as sleep sacks and wearable blankets) for infants, as opposed to regular blankets and sheets. That’s because any loose bedding can get in the way of their breathing or strangle or suffocate them.

For a newborn, their “blanket” might be a swaddle. This essentially means wrapping your baby up like a burrito for bedtime. You can do this the old school way by folding a blanket around your baby, or you can purchase a sleep sack swaddle or other wearable blanket made for swaddling.

(Tip: When your baby masters the impressive skill of rolling over, swaddling can increase the chances of suffocation. If sleep sacks are working for you, there are options available for older babies.)

What temperature is too cold for a baby?

How do you tell if your baby is too cold at night? They’ll probably let you know. If some added fussiness has been thrown into the mix, it may be because they are too cold.

Feel the back of their neck. (Same goes for checking if they’re too warm.) You can also check their tummies, head, and ears to see if they are cooler than usual.

Can a baby be too warm at night?

The short answer is, yes.

Babies that are too warm might be clammy, fussy, squirming, and/or develop a heat rash or fever.

In severe cases, they might overheat, increasing the chances of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).

Signs that your baby may be overheating include:

• They feel warm to the touch.
• They are unresponsive.
• They have a fever.
• Their heart rate increases.
• They breathe rapidly.

If you suspect your baby is overheating, you can:

• Slowly remove layers of covering.
• Move them to a cooler room.
• Offer them fluids. (If they are younger than 6 months, stick to breastmilk or formula rather than water.)
• Wipe them down with a lukewarm or cool cloth—not one that is too cold, as this may be too much of a shock to their little systems.

If things don’t improve quickly, contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible.

Your instincts are strong, mama. Follow them. When you feel stuck, reach out to your community – or the community of mamas here on Peanut. Doing motherhood together makes the whole thing a lot more manageable.

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