August might be drawing to a close, but it’s worth keeping the fan within reach. 2026 has already brought the UK’s hottest May on record, with temperatures topping 35°C, and forecasters continue to flag the chance of further warm, unsettled spells as we move into early autumn.
It’s also worth remembering that the UK Health Security Agency’s heat-health alert system runs right through to 30 September, so the risk of a late-season hot spell isn’t something health bodies rule out just because the calendar says summer is ending.
For parents already worn down by a summer of late bedtimes and early wake-ups, the idea of another warm snap isn’t exactly welcome news. So we spoke to Gemma Davies, Certified Infant Sleep Coach and founder of The Mindful Sleep Coach, about how to help babies sleep safely – and settle a bit better – when the temperature climbs.
“If bedtime and sleep in general has been tricky lately, you’re definitely not alone. I’ve had a lot of messages from parents as well as my own experience with my 2 boys,” Gemma says. “Here are the tips I give families to help everyone get a bit more rest.”
Cool the room down before bedtime
Following The Lullaby Trust’s safer sleep guidelines, the ideal temperature for a baby’s room is between 16–20°C. This is the same advice shared by NHS guidance on reducing the risk of SIDS. This is hard to achieve when it’s warm outside, but the aim is to keep the room where your baby sleeps as cool as possible relative to the rest of the house.
- Keep blinds and curtains shut during the day to stop the sun heating the room.
- Open windows and doors once it’s cooled down outside, if it’s safe to do so, to get air flowing through.
- Make cool water bottles the same way you’d make a hot one, but fill with water and freeze. Only fill them halfway, as water expands as it freezes, and wrap them in a towel or cover. Pop them under the sheet to cool the bed before bedtime, and always remove them before your baby gets in.
Get the air moving
A fan can help circulate air in your baby’s room, but The Lullaby Trust advises positioning it so it isn’t blowing directly onto them, as this can cause a chill.
Placing a bowl of ice in front of a fan can help cool the air further.
Whatever you use, it’s worth monitoring the room temperature with a thermometer rather than guessing.
Keep your baby’s room between 16–20°C, dress them in fewer layers (a vest, or just a nappy in extreme heat), and check whether they’re too hot by feeling their chest or the back of their neck, not their hands or feet. These are the safer sleep steps recommended by the NHS and The Lullaby Trust, because overheating is a recognised risk factor for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Forget the hands, check the neck
A baby’s hands and feet can feel cool even when the rest of their body is too warm, so they’re not a reliable guide.
Instead, feel their chest or the back of their neck. If you notice clammy or sweaty skin, that is a better sign that they need a layer removed. This is one of the core checks recommended in both NHS and Lullaby Trust safer sleep advice.
Reduce the layers
Gemma explains, “I know it can feel tricky to break from routine when using a sleeping bag for your baby’s sleep, but in the heat less is more.”
The Lullaby Trust’s hot-weather advice confirms that in very hot weather, a nappy alone with all bedding removed is fine.
If your baby feels cool to the touch, a breathable cotton or bamboo vest is the better middle option, as both fabrics allow heat to escape more easily than synthetic materials.
A lukewarm bath
A lukewarm bath before bed, or at any point in the day, can help bring your baby’s body temperature down gently.
It doesn’t need to be a full bedtime routine bath – a quick top-and-tail or a few minutes in shallow water can be enough to take the edge off the heat.
Managing our expectations
Heat affects sleep for all of us, babies included, and it can be genuinely difficult to navigate.
The reassuring news is that sleep does settle again once the temperature does – in the meantime, these small adjustments can make the difference between a restless night and a slightly more manageable one.
“The heat can really impact sleep for all of us, including our little ones,” Gemma says. “It can be really tricky navigating this time, but I want to reassure you sleep will settle again once the temperature does.”
About our expert
Gemma Davies is a Certified Infant Sleep Coach and the founder of The Mindful Sleep Coach, an award-winning baby and toddler sleep consultancy supporting families from pregnancy through to age four. Gemma provides responsive, tailored sleep support for challenges including night wakings, early rising, nap transitions and bedtime battles, using a parent-led, compassionate approach that empowers families to improve their child’s sleep while supporting parental confidence and wellbeing. You can also follow Gemma on Instagram here.
FAQs
What temperature should my baby’s room be in hot weather?
Both The Lullaby Trust and the NHS recommend keeping a baby’s room between 16–20°C for safer sleep. In a heatwave this can be difficult, so focus on getting as close to this range as possible using blinds, ventilation and fans, and use a room thermometer rather than relying on how the room feels.
Is it safe for my baby to sleep in just a nappy?
Yes. In very hot weather, both NHS and Lullaby Trust safer sleep advice agree that less clothing and bedding is safer than more, because overheating is a known SIDS risk factor. A nappy alone, with no additional bedding, is an appropriate option on the hottest nights.
How do I know if my baby is too hot at night?
Check the back of their neck or their chest rather than their hands or feet, which can feel cool even when a baby is overheating – a check recommended by The Lullaby Trust. Sweating, flushed cheeks, and damp hair are also signs your baby needs a layer removed or the room needs to be cooled further.
Can I use a fan in my baby’s room?
Yes, a fan can help circulate air and take the edge off a warm room, provided it’s positioned so it isn’t blowing directly onto your baby, which can cause them to become chilled. This is standard advice from The Lullaby Trust.
Will hot weather have a lasting effect on my baby’s sleep?
No – disrupted sleep during a heatwave is normal and temporary. Most babies’ sleep settles again once the temperature drops, particularly if you keep other elements of the bedtime routine consistent.
Sources
This article draws on official safer sleep and hot-weather guidance from the NHS, NICE and The Lullaby Trust, alongside current Met Office and UK Health Security Agency reporting on 2026’s weather pattern.
- NHS – Reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
- NHS – Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
- NICE – Postnatal care, NG194 (2021)
- The Lullaby Trust – Safer sleep advice
- The Lullaby Trust – Room temperature guidance
- UK Health Security Agency / GOV.UK – Beat the heat: hot weather advice
- Met Office – Weather and climate news
Feature image: Gemma Davies | The Mindful Sleep Coach
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