Ease into Summer – our baby warm weather sleeping tips– Nested Bean

As a parent, you need to keep your baby sleeping safely and soundly no matter the weather – but soothing an overheated baby to sleep in the summer months isn’t a walk in the park!

It isn’t always easy falling asleep when the weather heats up – but adults can kick off their blankets, wake up for sips of water, and switch on a fan to stay cool at night.

For little ones who can’t make changes like these to lower their own body temperature, it can be even more uncomfortable. That’s why it’s important to keep an eye on your baby’s temperature both day and night and to take the necessary steps to ensure they’re cool, calm, and collected even in the heat.

Here, we’ve gathered up the key sleeping tips to bear in mind to help any baby snooze their way through their first summer.

Warm Weather Sleeping Tips

There are two key areas when it comes to helping your baby snooze during summer: lowering the temperature of the room, and directly cooling off your baby. Using both in conjunction is your best bet, so here’s everything you need to know about keeping your little one cool!

Keep your Nursery between 68-72F

Whether you’re a baby or a grown-up, it isn’t easy falling asleep in a room that’s too warm. That’s why when it comes to helping your little one sleep in hot weather, staying aware of the temperature and keeping your baby’s room cool is essential.

The ideal room temperature for your baby is between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit (20 to 22 degrees Celsius) – you can keep an eye on this by placing a room thermometer in their nursery and regularly checking it while they’re sleeping.

Don’t put Blankets, Toys, or Pillows in Baby’s Crib

Your baby’s cot should be completely free of objects like toys and pillows until they’re at least a year old in order to lower their risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). However, once they’re reached this age, you may still want to remove these items to prevent your sleeping baby from overheating.

For example, you might want to stop using a baby sleeping bag in warmer temperatures, and let your baby only wear one layer of clothing. In fact, you could always…

Try Bamboo Sleepwear!

What your baby wears to bed can make a big impact on whether or not they’re able to fall asleep. Bamboo is the lightest, most moisture wicking and breathable fabric, and we’re proud to use it in our Premier range of Zen Sleepwear!

If you’re looking for a warmer weather swaddle or sleep sack, we have what you need – here’s what Zen Mom Lauren Z. has to say about her toddler’s Zen Sack Premier:

Our little one loves these sleep sacks. No adjustment period needed either. Just a great night sleep from the start. I love the premium material too. Living in a warmer climate this keeps her cool and comfy.

Use a Fan in the Nursery

Just as you would in your own bedroom, using a fan in the room that your baby sleeps in can help keep their body temperature at the right level.

In fact, a study has shown that keeping a fan running in your baby’s room can reduce your baby’s risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) by roughly 72%. This is because it improves the airflow in their sleep environment, preventing them from rebreathing carbon dioxide.

Keep the Blinds Closed

While you might be tempted to open up the blinds and let some light into the room, it’s best to keep them shut even during the day if the weather is hot.

Open blinds let in extra heat, as well as the sun’s harmful rays that can cause damage to your baby’s delicate skin if they’re sleeping in direct sunlight – so close them up to stop your baby overheating!

Travel Sleeping Tips – on-the-go & away from home

It isn’t just important to keep your baby cool at home – taking them outside can increase their risk of overheating, so you should have some strategies in mind when taking trips out with your little one in hot weather.

For instance, if your baby is having a snooze while you’re at the park or walking with them in their stroller, make sure that a parasol is protecting your baby’s exposed skin and keeping them cool while they nap.

Similarly, many parents love to put their babies in a sunhat; not only does it look adorable, but it helps protect vulnerable areas like their face and neck from the sun’s rays.

If you’re traveling with your little one this summer and planning on driving for any long stretch, you’ll love our Zen Footie and Zen Bodysuit! Both of these options feature our gently weighted Cuddle Pads to soothe your baby to sleep, and are safe to be worn by babies in car seats – no fussing around with swaddles or sleep sacks necessary to go from crib to car!

Commonly asked Questions about Baby Warm Weather Sleeping

How do I know if my baby is too warm while sleeping?

There are a few signs you can look out for to identify if your baby is too hot while sleeping.

Many of the symptoms of overheating are the same as what we experience as adults, such as flushed cheeks, wet patches of skin, and quickened breathing. But there are also some signs that are less obvious to be aware of – they may be lethargic, for example, and you should check their skin for signs of a heat rash in warm weather.

How can I cool my baby’s temperature at night?

There are lots of steps you can take to keep your baby cool while they sleep at night. In terms of how they’re dressed, you’ll want to avoid too many layers, sticking to just one breathable item of clothing such as our Zen Sack Premier in hot weather.

It’s also important to keep the temperature of the room itself into account – a thermometer can help you keep track of how hot your baby’s room is, while using a fan can help reduce the temperature and optimize airflow around the nursery.

Do babies sleep less in summer?

If your baby is too warm in the hot weather, they might have trouble falling asleep – some symptoms of overheating include flushed cheeks, fast breathing, and seeming lethargic and confused.

But summer doesn’t have to mean that babies and their parents can’t sleep through the night. To keep your baby cool, you’ll want to keep an eye on their room temperature (68-72F is ideal) and ensure that any sleepwear they’re wearing is light and breathable – like our Zen Sack Premier, made from bamboo!

Ease into Summer – our baby warm weather sleeping tips– Nested Bean