How do I know if my baby is too hot at night?
Short answer: Feel your baby's chest or the back of their neck. If the skin is hot or sweaty, take off one or more layers. Cool hands and feet are normal.
Here is the detail behind that answer, taken from current UK guidance from the NHS and the Lullaby Trust.
Things to check
- Choose the right size for your baby's weight so the neck and arm holes are snug and they cannot slip down inside.
- Pick a tog for your room temperature and adjust the clothing underneath.
- Avoid weighted sleeping bags, and do not use a hood or extra blankets on top.
What the guidance says
- Check your baby's temperature by feeling their chest or the back of their neck. Cool hands and feet are normal.
- Keep the room between about 16C and 20C and check it with a room thermometer.
Related questions
What is a baby sleeping bag?
A wearable bag that replaces loose blankets, so your baby cannot wriggle under covers.
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- Sleeping Bag, New Born to Six Months - Ocean Stripe
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Check each product page for its exact dimensions, mattress size, age and weight limits and safety standards.
More advice
How do I keep a bedtime routine consistent?Is 21 degrees too hot for a baby's room?Can a 5 month old sleep with a blanket?How do I dress my baby for a 16C room?Guide to baby bedding: what to look forGuide to cot bedding sets: what to look forAll baby bedding and sleeping bags advice →
Sources
- NHS: Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) (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.