Tips To Help Your Baby Sleep On A Hot Summer Night

Getting a great night’s sleep in summer can be a real challenge and specially right now whilst we are in the middle of this heat wave.

​The extra warm nights with little fresh air can make it difficult for your little one to get off to sleep and changes in temperature overnight can cause your little cherub to wake.

The following tips will help you and your little one have a more comfortable sleep x 

1. Make sure the room is well ventilated. Open windows and the door to allow for plenty of airflow. 

2. Use a fan, but make sure to point it away from baby’s bassinet or cot. Placing a bowl of water filled with ice cubes in front of the fan will help cool the temperature.

3. Place bottles of frozen water around the room to help cool the temperature.

4. Close the curtains early in the day so the room is protected from direct sunlight. 

5. Placing wet/damp towels in the nursery can help cool the room down.

6.  Make sure your baby’s bath is a little cooler than normal and allow plenty of time to splash and cool down.

7. Do not use any moisturiser on your babies skin after her bath- it will leave babies skin feeling hot and sticky. 

8.  Dress your little one in 100% natural and breathable fibres like (organic) cotton and merino. Avoid polyester as it will cause your baby to sweat and overheat.

9.  If your baby is swaddled look at a zip up swaddle. They will keep your little one safely swaddled all night long without the risk of unraveling. Traditional (muslin) wraps might come undone in the middle of the night which can pose a tangling hazard to your baby.

10.  Sleeping in 'nothing but a nappy’ might make it tricky for your baby to fall asleep and stay asleep – most of us adults sleep with at least a sheet in summer! Temperatures can also change during the night and your baby might wake up feeling cold. Organic cotton sleeping bags add a light layer that will make your little one feel safe and secure and keep your baby at the right temperature all night long.

11. Remove waterproof sheets from your little ones cot while the weather is this hot. The plastic coating will hold heat causing your baby to sweat and overheat. 

12. Using a sleeping bag with feet is a great way to keep little feet cool in this hot weather.

13.  Make sure to use a room thermometer so you can measure the room temperature at all times and make changes to your babies sleep wear as appropriate.

14. Make sure to check on your baby during the night. If your baby is red or sweaty than she is too hot and remove a layer of clothing immediately. You can check your baby’s temperature by feeling their back, neck or tummy.

15. Finally remember you child is likely to be thirsty in the night. That usually means more frequent wake-ups and a lot more night feeds. If it's really hot, don't try to restrict these.