Keeping your baby cool in a summer heatwave
Short answer: Aim for 16C to 20C, use fewer layers or a lower-tog bag, keep the cot out of direct sun, and check your baby's chest or neck.
Step by step
- Close curtains or blinds in the day (cords well away from the cot).
- Use a lightweight sleeping bag or just a vest.
- Check your baby regularly.
What the guidance says
- Keep the room between about 16C and 20C and check it with a room thermometer.
- Check your baby's temperature by feeling their chest or the back of their neck. Cool hands and feet are normal.
- Never use a hot water bottle or electric blanket, and do not place the cot next to a radiator, heater or fire, or in direct sunlight.
- The Lullaby Trust does not publish a tog chart, because fabrics, layers and babies differ. Use the room temperature as a guide and check your baby's chest or neck.
Shop at Baby Kingdom
- 2.5 Tog Baby Sleep Bag 0-6 Months
- Sleeping Bag, New Born to Six Months - Ocean Stripe
- Sleeping Bag, New Born to Six Months - Berry
- 2.5 Tog Baby Sleep Bag 0-6 Months
Check each product page for its exact dimensions, mattress size, age and weight limits and safety standards.
More advice
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Sources
- NHS: Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) (accessed 2026-10-21)
- The Lullaby Trust: Baby mattresses and bedding (accessed 2026-10-21)
General information only, not medical advice. Always follow your product's instructions. If you are worried about your baby, contact your GP, health visitor or 111. In an emergency, call 999.