Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night sweating because you got too hot? That can happen to your baby, too, especially because their bodies aren’t good at regulating temperature yet. Because of that, you may see signs your baby is too hot while sleeping.
But don’t fret! It doesn’t necessarily mean anything is wrong with your little one, and there are easy ways to remedy the situation.
In this article, we discuss signs your baby is too hot while sleeping, what to do about it, and tips for keeping your baby cool at night.
Table of contents
- Signs your baby is too hot while sleeping
- What to do if your baby gets too hot while sleeping
- More tips for keeping your baby cool at night
Signs your baby is too hot while sleeping
1) Red, flushed cheeks
One of the most obvious signs that your baby is too hot while sleeping is red, flushed cheeks. When your baby starts to get hot, their body will automatically circulate more blood to the essential areas (e.g., their head) to remove the heat and keep things cool.
This can give the appearance that your baby has been extremely active or playing hard even in the middle of the night when they’ve been asleep for hours.
2) Sweaty or clammy skin
Another one of the more obvious signs your baby is too hot while sleeping is sweaty or clammy skin. Sweaty skin is warm and wet to the touch, while clammy skin is cool and wet.
If you touch their forehead, neck, or scalp during the night and feel either of these conditions, your little one might be overheating while they sleep.
3) Feels warm to the touch
A third sign your baby is too hot is if their skin feels warmer than usual. Often, this sign comes before the sweaty or clammy skin mentioned above, but it can also happen after the wetness has evaporated.
If you suspect your little one is getting too hot at night, touch their neck, tummy, or back with the palm of your hand. If their skin feels warmer than usual, try implementing some of the solutions in the What to do if your baby gets too hot while sleeping section of this article.
4) Rapid breathing
When your baby starts to get warm on the way to hot, their body will automatically increase circulation (causing the red, flushed cheeks we already mentioned) and respiration in an attempt to stay cool.
Increases in respiration manifest as short, shallow, rapid breathing that makes it appear as if your baby has been involved in some form of vigorous exercise.
5) Restlessness
If you notice your little one tossing and turning more than usual, it could mean they’re too hot.
All babies will move and make noises during the night, but if they’re kicking their legs, waving their arms, grunting, or turning their head more often, they might be overheating.
This happens because their body is working to stay cool instead of falling into a normal deep sleep that results in stillness.
6) Fussiness
Sometimes, your baby won’t be able to fall asleep at all at bedtime because they’re too hot. This can result in your little one becoming fussy, cranky, and even overtired.
What to do if your baby gets too hot while sleeping
Use a breathable mattress.
A breathable mattress provides airflow under your baby while they sleep, allows their natural body heat to escape, and keeps them cool all night long.
Breathable mattresses also keep your baby safe at night by allowing your little one to breathe straight through the material and eliminating the risk of accidental suffocation.
The Newton Baby Crib Mattress, for example, is composed of mostly air (90% air by volume) to keep your baby cool and safe while they sleep.
Dress them in thinner clothing.
Another way to help them stay cool if you see signs your baby is too hot while sleeping is to dress them in thinner clothing.
Opt for thin onesies, pajamas, swaddles, or a sleep sack made from lightweight, breathable fabrics, like cotton.
Keep in mind that polyester, nylon, acrylic, and other synthetic fabrics can trap heat next to the skin and cause your baby to overheat quicker. Thin cotton is the best sleepwear for keeping your baby cool at night.
Adjust the room temperature.
Monitor the environment around your little one’s crib and do your best to keep the temperature at a comfortable level for sleep. For babies, the best room temperature for sleeping is between 68° and 72℉.
If you don’t want to keep the thermostat set that low all the time, turn it up while your baby is awake and then turn it down when it’s time to sleep.
Reduce the humidity in the air.
Humidity can make it feel hotter than it actually is and cause your little one to show signs of being too hot while they’re sleeping.
Consider running a dehumidifier at night to remove the moisture from the air and to provide a more comfortable sleeping environment for your baby.
Remove blankets.
From birth to 18 months, your baby should not sleep with blankets, pillows, bumpers, or any other items in their crib.
Not only does this prevent accidents from happening, but it also removes the likelihood that these items will cause your baby to retain heat and get too hot while they sleep.
Check for a fever.
In some cases, your baby may be hot while they sleep because they have a fever.
To check for a fever, gently place the palm of your hand on their forehead. If their skin feels sharply hot, consult with a doctor right away.
If they just feel a bit warmer than their usual body temperature, consider removing some of their clothing, changing them into a lightweight onesie, or reducing the temperature in their room.
Increase airflow.
Another solution to consider when you see signs your baby is too hot while sleeping is to increase the airflow in and around their crib.
If it’s safe to do so and the weather is cool enough outside, you might consider opening a window. If that’s not an option, set up a fan in their room to move the air around — but don’t point the breeze directly at your baby.
More tips for keeping your baby cool at night
Place a thermometer in their room.
To help keep your baby’s sleep environment at the proper temperature, place a thermometer in their sleep space (not in their crib nor within reach but close enough to give you an accurate reading).
You can choose from any of a large variety of thermometers at a variety of prices and with a variety of features. Pick the option that suits you and your baby best.
Prevent sun exposure during sleep.
Sunlight can raise the temperature of the space around a window by more than you might think. If your little one’s sleep space is close to a window, it could be causing them to overheat while they sleep.
Invest in some heavy blackout curtains to keep the sun’s rays at bay, and consider moving your baby’s crib to another part of the room to avoid the sun altogether.
Offer cool breast milk or formula.
If your baby will accept it, offer breast milk or formula before bed. The cool liquid in their stomach can help lower their body temperature slightly — not in a dangerous way — and help them stay cool while they’re sleeping.
Avoid overheating during the day.
Another great way to prevent your little one from getting too warm at night is to keep them from overheating during the day. While they’re awake, dress them in thin, breathable clothing, avoid prolonged sun exposure, and keep their environment comfortably cool.
Doing so can make it easier for your baby to learn how to regulate their body temperature during both the waking and sleeping hours.
A comfortable night’s sleep for all
If you see signs that your baby is too hot while sleeping, one of the best things you can do — in addition to keeping their room cool, dressing them in thinner clothing, and reducing the humidity in the air — is to put them to sleep on a breathable mattress.
Newton Baby’s breath-thru mattresses contain a Wovenaire® core that is 10% food-grade polymer and 90% air for unrestricted airflow through and around the mattress all night long.
This unique composition also means that, should your baby roll over during the night, they’ll be able to breathe through the mattress itself.
Not only will your little one sleep safer and cooler, but you’ll rest easy knowing you’ve done all you can to give them the best night’s sleep possible!
