What room temperature is best for a baby to sleep in summer?

Keep the room at a comfortable temperature that does not feel hot or stuffy. The AAP does not specify a number; the aim is to avoid overheating, since getting too hot raises a baby's risk of SIDS. Use a fan or air conditioning to keep air moving.

How should I dress my baby to sleep on a hot night?

Dress your baby in no more than one extra layer than you would wear to be comfortable in the same room. In summer, a single lightweight layer is often enough. Do not put a hat on your baby indoors.

How can I tell if my baby is too hot while sleeping?

Signs of overheating include sweating, damp hair, flushed cheeks, a chest that feels hot, heat rash, and rapid breathing. If you notice these, remove a layer, cool the room, and check on your baby.

Can I put a light blanket in the crib when it is warm?

No. Keep loose blankets and soft bedding out of the crib through the first year, even in summer. If you want to keep your baby warm, use a wearable blanket or sleep sack instead of anything loose.

Why does overheating matter for baby sleep?

For infants, getting too hot increases the risk of SIDS. That is why safe-sleep guidance focuses on keeping the room comfortable, dressing your baby lightly, and avoiding extra layers and loose bedding.

How do I handle late summer sunsets keeping my baby awake?

Blackout curtains can darken the room so you can keep an earlier, consistent bedtime even when it is still light outside. Pair that with a cool, comfortable room and a single light layer for sleep.

Summer safety · 0-3 yr

Safe Sleep for Babies in Hot Weather

Warm nights and late summer sunsets can make sleep harder for babies and toddlers, and overheating is more than a comfort issue. For infants, getting too hot raises the risk of SIDS, so summer sleep is about keeping your baby cool without adding loose bedding. This guide covers how to dress your baby, how to read the signs they are too warm, and how to keep the sleep space both cool and safe.

2 min read Seasonal Safety Updated June 2026

Keep the sleep space cool and comfortable

Keep the room where your baby sleeps at a comfortable temperature. The AAP does not name a specific number; the goal is a room that does not feel hot or stuffy. Use air conditioning or a fan to move air, and position any fan so it circulates the room rather than blowing directly on the baby.

Late summer sunsets can also push bedtime later by keeping a room bright. Blackout curtains can keep the sleep space dark for an earlier bedtime. Treat darkness and airflow as comfort tools; the safety rules below are what matter most.

Dress your baby for a warm night

On a hot night, less is safer than more. As a rule, dress your baby in no more than one extra layer than you would wear to be comfortable in the same room. A single lightweight layer is often enough in summer.

Do not put a hat on your baby indoors. If you would normally use a blanket but worry about cold, use a wearable blanket or sleep sack instead of loose bedding. Swaddling can make a baby overheat, so be especially careful not to over-bundle a swaddled baby in warm weather.

Watch for signs your baby is too hot

A baby cannot tell you they are overheating, so check them. Signs include sweating, damp hair, flushed cheeks, a chest that feels hot to the touch, heat rash, and rapid breathing.

If your baby seems too warm, remove a layer, cool the room, and offer a feeding. Overheating is one of the risks the safe-sleep guidance is designed to prevent, so it is worth checking on warm nights.

Keep the crib clear, even in summer

The pull to add a light blanket on a cooler-feeling night is understandable, but a baby's sleep area should stay clear. Keep soft objects and loose bedding out of the crib: pillows, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, bumper pads, stuffed toys, and blankets can all pose a suffocation risk.

Place your baby on their back on a firm, flat surface for every sleep. Most experts agree these soft items pose little risk to healthy babies after 12 months of age, but through the first year, a wearable blanket is the way to keep a baby warm without adding anything loose to the crib.

Common questions

What room temperature is best for a baby to sleep in summer?: Keep the room at a comfortable temperature that does not feel hot or stuffy. The AAP does not specify a number; the aim is to avoid overheating, since getting too hot raises a baby's risk of SIDS. Use a fan or air conditioning to keep air moving.
How should I dress my baby to sleep on a hot night?: Dress your baby in no more than one extra layer than you would wear to be comfortable in the same room. In summer, a single lightweight layer is often enough. Do not put a hat on your baby indoors.
How can I tell if my baby is too hot while sleeping?: Signs of overheating include sweating, damp hair, flushed cheeks, a chest that feels hot, heat rash, and rapid breathing. If you notice these, remove a layer, cool the room, and check on your baby.
Can I put a light blanket in the crib when it is warm?: No. Keep loose blankets and soft bedding out of the crib through the first year, even in summer. If you want to keep your baby warm, use a wearable blanket or sleep sack instead of anything loose.
Is it safe to use a fan in my baby's room?: A fan can help keep the room comfortable by moving air. Position it so it circulates the room rather than blowing directly on the baby. Keeping the sleep space from getting hot helps reduce overheating.
Why does overheating matter for baby sleep?: For infants, getting too hot increases the risk of SIDS. That is why safe-sleep guidance focuses on keeping the room comfortable, dressing your baby lightly, and avoiding extra layers and loose bedding.
How do I handle late summer sunsets keeping my baby awake?: Blackout curtains can darken the room so you can keep an earlier, consistent bedtime even when it is still light outside. Pair that with a cool, comfortable room and a single light layer for sleep.

Sources & further reading

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This guide reflects current AAP, CDC, and other public-health guidance and is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice. ParentFlow is a wellness companion — not a substitute for your pediatrician. For any medical concern, contact your healthcare provider.