How to Keep Your Baby (and Toddler!) Cool and Comfortable on Hot Summer Nights
Simple, gentle tips to help your little one sleep when the temperature rises
With hot weather hitting the UK this week, two things are guaranteed:
We all forget how to function above 22°C.
Bedtime becomes a sweaty, shouty, slightly stressful affair.
And if you’re trying to settle a baby, toddler, or small human in a room that feels more like a greenhouse than a nursery - you're not alone in the struggle.
Parents often notice that babies wake more frequently during hot spells, want to feed more often, and generally seem unsettled at night. Toddlers might go full starfish in protest or demand ice cubes and ten stories before surrendering to sleep.
Here’s how to help your little one stay cool, comfortable, and (hopefully) better rested, without feeling you have to turn your bedroom into a fridge.
Step 1: Set Up a Sleep-Friendly Room for Hot Nights
Keep things simple, breathable, and breezy.
Aim for a room temperature of 16–20°C if you can. A digital room thermometer helps here - guesswork rarely ends well.
Close curtains or blackout blinds during the day to block out the heat, especially in sun-facing rooms.
Keep windows closed in the heat of the day if it’s hotter outside than in. Open them later when the air cools down.
Use a fan, but never direct it at your baby. An oscillating fan in the corner or out of reach works best.
Bonus trick: pop frozen bottles of water in front of the fan to create a DIY cooling breeze (wish I’d known this one when mine were little!).
If you're heading away this summer or trying to manage sleep in an unfamiliar setting, you might also like these baby sleep tips for summer holidays and travel - think travel cots, time zones, and realistic expectations!
Step 2: Dress for the (Overheated) Occasion
Think cool, breathable, and cotton wherever possible.
Lightweight cotton is your best friend - it’s breathable, gentle on skin, and absorbs sweat.
For babies under 12 months, avoid loose blankets or covers. Instead, go for:
A low TOG sleep bag (check guidance for the room temp),
A sleepsuit or short-sleeved vest,
Or just a nappy if it’s over 24°C.
Older children can kick off covers if they get hot, but babies can’t — so it’s best to keep things simple and secure.
Swaddling? On very hot nights, skip it. Your baby needs the freedom to move and cool off naturally.
Check baby sleep bag TOGs and adjust depending on the room temperature - many brands have handy guides.
Step 3: Choose the Right Bedding
Keep it cool, simple, and sweat-free.
Use cotton sheets and lightweight blankets only - no fleece, no flannel, no regrets.
Avoid waterproof mattress protectors unless absolutely needed, as they trap heat and sweat.
Keep the cot or bed clear of soft toys and bulky bedding that can reduce airflow - this is actually advisable for little ones under the age of 12 months all year round for safer sleeping.
For a more detailed guide on setting up the best sleep space, this blueprint for your baby’s perfect sleep environment covers everything you need to know.
Step 4: Cool Down Before Bedtime
Ease the transition from sticky to sleepy.
A lukewarm (not cold) bath can help lower body temperature gently.
For toddlers and older children, a cool flannel on the forehead or cold water on wrists can work wonders.
Some families love a pre-bedtime shower or even a few minutes in front of a fan (again, not blowing directly).
Step 5: Hydration Is Key
Frequent feeds, water sips, and maybe even ice cubes.
Breastfed babies under 6 months don’t need water - they’ll feed little and often, and your milk adapts to keep them hydrated.
Babies over 6 months and toddlers can have cool water with meals or offered regularly.
Older toddlers? Let them crunch on ice cubes during the bedtime story or have a bottle of cold water beside the bed (extra cooling points if you froze it first).
Bonus Tips & Things to Keep an Eye On
Signs of overheating: flushed cheeks, rapid breathing, damp hair, or sweating around the chest or neck.
Always check your baby’s temperature by feeling the back of their neck or chest - not their hands or feet.
Don’t panic if sleep is more disrupted than usual. Adults sleep worse in the heat too - it’s not something you’ve done wrong.
Final Thought: It’s OK if It’s Trial and Error
Every child’s different. Some love the fan. Some hate the fan. Some suddenly decide they want to wear socks in 27°C heat.
You’re not doing it wrong - you’re doing your best with unpredictable weather, unpredictable sleep, and very unpredictable little ones.
If you’re feeling frazzled by frequent wakes, disrupted naps, or just want a little expert guidance to get through summer nights with more calm and confidence - I’m here for that.
Need More Support?
Let’s work together 1:1.
I’ll help you gently adjust routines, ease bedtime battles, and find realistic sleep solutions that work for your child, without adding more stress to your plate.
Click here to book a free call or learn more about my 1:1 support
