How to Tell if a Baby is Too Hot or Cold While Sleeping

A common concern for a sleeping baby is whether they're comfortable whilst they're asleep. Every baby is different, some may run warmer and some cooler. You won't know until you get to know your baby and start looking out for signs that may point to them being too hot or cold while sleeping.

Understanding how to dress your baby for sleep, utilising a reliable temperature guide for baby sleep, and choosing the appropriate TOG sleepwear can all help you create an optimal sleep environment for your baby.

In this article, we'll discuss what may point to your baby being too hot or too cold while sleeping and provide practical tips for maintaining the perfect sleep temperature!

What Signs Indicate That Your Baby Is Too Hot While Sleeping?

Overheating can pose significant risks, including an increased chance of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). This is why being too hot is just as important as being too cold if not more, to avoid overheating.

Here are the signs that your baby may be too hot:

Sweating: If your baby’s hair is damp or you notice sweat on their neck or back, they are likely too hot.

Flushed Cheeks: Red or flushed cheeks that are very warm to the touch can indicate overheating.

Rapid Breathing: If your baby is breathing faster than usual, it might be due to excessive heat.

Heat Rash: Small red bumps on the skin, typically on the face or torso, can be a sign of heat rash.

Restlessness: A hot baby may be unusually irritable or fussy, leading to restless sleep.

What Signs Indicate That Your Baby Is Too Cold While Sleeping?

On the flip side, ensuring your baby is warm enough to avoid being too cold is important so they feel comfortable. It also helps keep them asleep, as a common signal that they're too cold is constant wakes during the coolest times of the early morning.

Here are the signs your baby may be too cold:

Cold Hands and Feet: While it is normal for a baby’s extremities to be slightly cooler, if they are very cold, your baby might be uncomfortable.

Fussiness & Waking Up: A cold baby may be irritable and have trouble settling down for sleep, or wake up early morning when the temperature drops.

Pale Skin: If your baby’s skin appears paler than normal or has a bluish tint, they may be too cold.

Shivering: Although rare in young infants, shivering is a clear indicator of coldness.

Unusual Lethargy: A baby who is too cold might appear unusually sleepy or lethargic.

How to Dress Your Baby for Sleep

The key to ensuring your baby’s comfort is dressing them appropriately for sleep. You may have come across the acronym TOG amidst baby sleepwear - Thermal Overall Grade - the common indicator used to specify the warmth level of baby sleepwear.

Choosing the right TOG-rated sleepwear based on the temperature of their room ensures your baby is neither too hot nor too cold. This is the foundation for why the TOG Calculator was created. Not sure what TOG rating to dress your baby for sleep based on the temperature? Simply go to the TOG Calculator, choose the temperature and we'll calculate it for you!

For example, at a room temperature of 22 °C or 72°F, the Calculator would recommend a total TOG rating of 1.2-1.5. This can be achieved with several clothing combinations involving sleeping bags, bodysuits and onesies, depending on what you may have in your baby's wardrobe.

Understanding the room temperature of your baby's sleep environment is key to determining what total TOG they should wear. Using an inexpensive indoor room thermometer is the easiest solution and can be particularly helpful if you don't have a heater or air conditioner running all year round.

4 Tips for Maintaining the Perfect Sleep Temperature

• Room Thermometer: Use a room thermometer to monitor the room's temperature and adjust your baby’s sleepwear accordingly.
• Layering: Dress your baby in layers that can easily be added or removed to regulate their temperature.
• Avoid Overbundling: Ensure your baby’s head remains uncovered during sleep to prevent overheating.
• Feel the Neck: Check your baby’s neck, upper chest or back to gauge their body temperature, rather than their hands or feet.

Understanding the signs of temperature discomfort and using the appropriate TOG sleepwear is essential to help your baby sleep better, for longer and comfortably.