Is 15 degrees too cold for a baby to sleep?
Short answer: 15C is just below the 16C to 20C range the NHS recommends. Use lightweight layers or a suitable sleeping bag, and check your baby's chest or the back of their neck rather than their hands.
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
- 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.
- A well-fitted baby sleeping bag is an alternative to blankets. Most makers base suitability on weight (usually around 4kg) rather than age, so check the label.
Related questions
What is a baby sleeping bag?
A wearable bag that replaces loose blankets, so your baby cannot wriggle under covers.
Shop at Baby Kingdom
- Baby Sleep Bag 6-18 Months
- Muslin Swaddle Blanket - Eucalyptus
- Large Muslin Square Swaddles 3pk
- 1.0 Tog Baby Sleep Bag 6-18 Months
Check each product page for its exact dimensions, mattress size, age and weight limits and safety standards.
More advice
How long can you use a cot sheet?What swaddles & blankets does Baby Kingdom sell?Can I swaddle a 5 month old?How do I keep my baby warm in winter at night?Guide to cot bedding sets: what to look forSleeping bag or blankets: which suits your baby?All baby bedding and sleeping bags advice →
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.