Is it better for a baby to sleep in a cooler room?

You have probably wondered this before: how many degrees should the nursery be for your little one to sleep really well? It is completely understandable to feel unsure, as there are so many different opinions out there, and they do not always agree.

Some parents prefer to follow professional recommendations, while others rely more on their own instincts. We would like to help you find your way through this topic more easily. We will show you what room temperature is ideal for baby sleep, how you can set it, and what you can do when the conditions are not always perfect.

What room temperature is ideal for baby sleep? 

According to most professional recommendations, the most ideal temperature for babies to sleep in is between 20 and 22 °C. At first, this may seem a little cool, but in reality this slightly fresher air helps support restful, deep sleep. At a lower temperature, it can be easier to avoid sweating, sudden waking and night wakings. You may have noticed this yourself, too.

LiaaBébé recommends choosing well-ventilated baby clothes for your child and settling them to sleep in a cooler room temperature with a thin sleeping bag or a baby blanket. Together, these can help create calmer nights for your baby and the whole family.

How does temperature affect a baby’s sleep? 

From around 3 months of age, a baby’s body begins to follow a natural temperature rhythm. When they fall asleep, their body temperature drops, then rises again towards the early morning.

If the room is too warm, this early morning rise in temperature can become uncomfortable. Your baby may sweat, wake up and find it harder to settle back to sleep. If the room is too cold, the body starts to protect itself, which can also disturb sleep.

That is why balance matters, with a pleasantly cool but not cold environment.

What temperature is ideal for newborns? 

With newborns, the situation is slightly different. They cannot yet regulate their body temperature properly, so a gently warmer environment is recommended for them.

In the first few weeks, it is worth keeping the room temperature between 22 and 24 °C and dressing them a little more warmly. This is where choosing the right fabric is especially important. LiaaBébé bamboo clothing, for example, helps your baby avoid overheating while still feeling comfortable.

It is important that there is not too much of a temperature difference between different rooms in the home. A sudden change can be demanding for your baby’s body, and draughts can feel stronger too.

Try to create an environment with steady, calm air, where there is no strong airflow or direct cold air.

What can you do if you cannot control the temperature? 

Not every home makes it easy to keep a steady ideal temperature, and we know that well. If it gets too warm during the heating season, for example, a few simple tricks can help improve the situation.

The most common solution is airing the room. A slightly open window can help cool the air, but make sure your baby is not in a draught. It is better to let fresh air in from a room further away, so the airflow feels gentler. Air conditioning may also be an option, but here too it is important that the air does not blow directly towards the cot.

Autumn and spring challenges: when the temperature changes 

The in-between seasons can be tricky. It may still be warm during the day, but the air can cool down significantly at night.

A little planning ahead can really help. Imagine putting your baby down in a lighter outfit in the evening, then during the night, for example at a feed, adding a thicker sleeping bag or covering them with a baby blanket. This allows you to adapt to the changing temperature without waking them fully.

It is a simple but very practical solution that many mums love. It can also work if the air at home feels warm in the evening because of the heating, but cools down by morning.

What should a baby sleep in? Dressing tips 

Dressing your baby for sleep is at least as important as the room temperature. Always adapt their clothing to the current conditions.

Sleeping bags with the right TOG rating and well-ventilated, stretchy fabrics can be a great help. With LiaaBébé’s recommendation, you can choose pieces that support your baby’s natural temperature regulation, making it easier to avoid overheating or getting too cold.

If you would like to explore this topic in more detail, read our earlier article too: what should a baby sleep in.

What is the ideal humidity in the nursery? 

Alongside temperature, humidity also plays a big role in the comfort of your baby and the whole family. It affects how we feel the temperature: at a higher level, the air feels warmer, while at a lower level it feels cooler. For healthy adults, humidity of 40 to 60% is ideal, while for children it is between 60 and 70%. If the air is too dry, the mucous membranes can dry out, which may lead to irritation and more frequent illness.

If the humidity is too high, however, it can encourage mould and germs to appear. Here too, balance is key.

How can you set the right humidity? 

If the air is dry, you can improve it by adding moisture. One simple method, for example, is hanging clothes up to dry indoors. However, it is worth paying attention to the detergent you use. Various fabric softeners are, in reality, chemical products containing synthetic substances, which we would not want a tiny baby breathing in every day. Products with natural ingredients or homemade versions are much gentler, so your little one can breathe cleaner air.

If the humidity is too high, regular airing or a dehumidifier can help.

Frequently asked questions about night sleep 

How do I know if my baby is too warm or too cold at night?

This is a very common question, and a completely valid one. The simplest method is to touch your baby’s neck or chest. If their skin is warm, damp or sweaty, they are probably too warm. If it feels cool and their skin looks mottled, they are likely to be cold. The temperature of the hands and feet is not always a reliable guide, as they are often cooler.

Should my baby sleep with a blanket or in a sleeping bag?

In most cases, a sleeping bag is the safer choice. It does not slip off your baby, it does not cover their face, and it provides an even feeling of warmth throughout the night. Based on LiaaBébé’s recommendation, a sleeping bag with the right TOG rating helps ensure your baby does not overheat and does not get cold, supporting calmer sleep. If you prefer baby blankets, you can browse our prettiest patterns on the LiaaBébé website.

What if the room cools down during the night? Do I need to wake my baby to change their clothes?

Not necessarily. If you know in advance that it will be cooler by the early morning, it is worth preparing in the evening by keeping an extra layer close to hand, such as a warmer sleeping bag or blanket. Often, it is enough to add another layer during a night waking, while feeding or changing. This way, you do not fully disturb their sleep, but they can still stay comfortable.

Did you know? 

Recommendations for the optimal sleeping temperature can differ from one culture to another. In some European countries, 18 to 19 degrees is considered ideal. Nordic families, for example, are typically more adapted to cooler conditions, so they often let their children sleep outside in the cold air in a pram. For them, this is completely normal.

When it comes to sleep, the fabric of your baby’s clothes plays a similarly important role alongside room temperature. If you would like to choose soft, extra stretchy baby clothes that are well-ventilated and temperature-regulating, take a look at the LiaaBébé collection.

Written by Mónika Veres

Sources:

NHS — Reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. Guidance includes keeping the room around 16 to 20°C and avoiding overheating

The Lullaby Trust — Your baby’s room temperature. Practical safer sleep advice on keeping babies comfortable and not too hot