How to Tell if a Baby is Too Hot

Worried you’ve bundled your baby up too warm in the winter or can’t keep their room cool enough in the summer? Our little ones haven’t yet really developed the ability to regulate their own body temperature, so it’s pretty important to make sure they’re feeling comfortable, whatever the weather. Here’s how to tell if your baby is too hot – and what to do next. You can gauge the main symptoms of a baby overheating pretty much immediately.

Do they feel warmer to the touch than usual? Try feeling the back of their neck or their ears for the best estimate.

If your baby is sweating, or has damp hair, then they’re definitely a little warm.

Some babies might also get flushed or have red cheeks, or have a faster than normal heartbeat.

Trust how you feel: if the sun’s a little too much for you, it’s too much for your little peanut too.

You might also want to take their temperature to be extra sure – anything above 38°C (100.4°F) is a sign of fever or overheating.

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Do babies cry if they are too warm?

Hot babies are fussy babies, but that doesn’t mean they’re going to open up the waterworks every time if they’re overheated.

A baby is a lot less likely to cry if it’s too hot than if it’s too cold, because the heat can make your little one more lethargic and less responsive.

Although some babies do cry if they’re too hot, it’s more likely that your baby will get restless or cranky rather than tearful.

If they’re not sick otherwise, nausea or vomiting can be another indicator that your baby is having a rough time with the heat.

The best thing to do is to get your baby somewhere cooler as soon as you can.

Turn the temperature down in their room if you have air conditioning or a fan (but don’t full-blast your baby with cold air!) and move them out of any direct sunlight.

If they’re wearing too many layers, get them into something light and breathable instead.

It’s also worth giving them more fluids so they can rehydrate. And if your baby is still feeling a little too hot, you can also give them a lukewarm bath to help lower their body temperature.

How do I know if my baby is too hot at night?

Overheating can happen at any time of the day, but it can be a particular worry when you’re trying to get your peanut down to rest.

Start by making sure their room isn’t too toasty: the perfect room temperature for a sleeping baby is between 16-20°C (61-68°F).

It might be tricky to keep the thermostat that low in the summer, so make sure your baby is dressed lightly for the more scorching months.

Try to keep in mind the kind of breezy PJs you might have on in the summer months – they probably wouldn't mind something similar.

In the winter, make sure you haven’t overcompensated for the freezing weather outside by cranking the heating up too high inside, or by covering your baby in too many blankets.

Again, try and consider how many layers you’ll probably need for a good night’s sleep, and at most, give your baby one extra layer of blanket or swaddle.

If your baby is too hot, they’re likely to have trouble sleeping. So if they’re waking up more than usual, that may be a sign.

Look out for any of the signs we mentioned earlier, too.

If their skin is warm to the touch, they’re sweating, they have a quicker heartbeat or they’re feeling nauseous, try taking off a layer or moving them to a cooler room to help them get a more comfortable night’s sleep.

If your child is still too hot or it feels like something’s up, make sure you ask your doctor.

A consistently high temperature may mean that it’s more than the heat that’s bothering your baby, and you’ll be able to get to the root of your baby’s discomfort as soon as possible.

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