What room temperature is best for a baby with a cold or fever?
Short answer: The usual 16C to 20C guidance still applies. Do not swaddle a baby with an infection or fever. If you are worried, call your GP or 111.
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.
- Never swaddle when bed-sharing, or when your baby has an infection or a fever.
- If you are worried your baby is unwell, contact your GP or 111. Call 999 if your baby stops breathing, will not wake, or is struggling to breathe.
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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Check each product page for its exact dimensions, mattress size, age and weight limits and safety standards.
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Sources
- NHS: Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) (accessed 2026-10-21)
- The Lullaby Trust: Swaddling (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.