This guide covers everything from TOG ratings and the right fabrics for warm nights, to what to do when the temperature climbs beyond what feels manageable. All our advice aligns with guidance from our friends at the The Lullaby Trust.
According to The Lullaby Trust, the ideal room temperature for a sleeping baby is between 16°C and 20°C. A room thermometer takes the guesswork out of it entirely, so it's worth keeping one in the room your baby sleeps in.
We know that keeping a room that temperature, is much harder in summer, especially in older homes without air conditioning. The good news is there are practical ways to bring the temperature down, and what your baby wears can do a lot of the work too. For a full breakdown of how to cool the nursery before bedtime, including fan placement, blackout curtains, and when to open windows, take a look at our guide to keeping your baby's room cool in summer.
Many families choose to swaddle in the early weeks, and there's no reason to stop in summer as long as you're choosing the right product for the temperature.
Look for swaddles made from lightweight bamboo or cotton blends at 0.2 TOG or below for warm nights. Our Swaddle Up™ is designed to let your baby sleep with their arms up, supporting natural self-soothing without restricting movement. A single layer of breathable fabric means no unnecessary heat is trapped close to the body.
If your baby is showing signs of rolling, swaddling with arms wrapped in is no longer safe. Our sleepwear stages guide covers how to transition safely.
TOG (Thermal Overall Grade) measures how much warmth a garment provides. The higher the number, the warmer and more insulated the garment. In summer, you'll generally be reaching for lower TOG options, which will allow for more airflow and heat to dissipate.
It's important also to always go by the room temperature, not just the temperature outside. Room positioning and airflow in the home can make a difference so to be sure, a room thermometer will be your best bet.
We have five TOG categories to help you choose the right sleepwear for the room:
Sleepwear guide
| Room temperature | Suggested TOG |
|---|---|
| 24–27°C | 0.2 TOG |
| 20–24°C | 1.0 TOG |
| 18–22°C | 1.5 TOG |
| 16–20°C | 2.5 TOG |
| Below 16°C | 3.5 TOG |
This is a general guide. All children are different.The number of clothing layers required may vary according to a child’s health, their physiology the room temperature, the outside temperature and other factors. The care-giver must determine what is suitable.
A good rule of thumb: the warmer the room, the fewer the layers. Use the TOG table below alongside these guides for each temperature band
Here's a simple guide:
Or follow a TOG Temperature Chart & Clothing guide to show you how to get the most out of your sleepwear, regardless of the changing temperatures:
Select a TOG rating to see what your baby should wear at each room temperature.
Short-sleeve pyjamas
Short-sleeve pyjamas
Romper and short-sleeve bodysuit
Romper
Short-sleeve pyjamas
Romper and short-sleeve bodysuit
Romper and sleeveless bodysuit
Short-sleeve, long-leg pyjamas
Romper and long-sleeve bodysuit
Romper and sleeveless bodysuit
Short-sleeve, long-leg pyjamas
Romper and sleeveless bodysuit
Romper
Every child is different. The number of clothing layers may vary according to health, physiology and room temperature. This guide is general advice only.
When we hit a heatwave, bedroom temperatures can easily climb above 27°C, even after dark. This is the scenario where less really is more.
According to The Lullaby Trust, when it's very hot, it's absolutely fine for your baby to sleep in just a short-sleeved vest or even just a nappy. You don't need a sleep bag at all if the room is very warm.
For practical ways to bring the room temperature down before bedtime, our guide to keeping your baby's room cool in summer covers fans, curtains, ventilation, and more.
For managing heat while travelling or on holiday, the safer sleep in summer guide has you covered.
If you're looking for breathable layers for summer, bamboo is about to be your best friend. It's one of our favourite fabrics for warm-weather sleep, and here's why:
Our Dreamstretch™ Bamboo range is perfect for layering under any swaddle or sleeping bag or is great on its own for a breathable and comfortable layer for sleep.
If you're wondering which sleepwear suits your baby's stage of development, our sleepwear stages guide walks you through what to use from newborn through to your on-the-move baby.
For daytime naps and pram sleep in hot weather: avoid covering your pram or buggy with a muslin, blanket, or any fabric to create shade. Even a lightweight muslin can significantly restrict airflow and raise the temperature inside the pram quickly. A clip-on sunshade or parasol is a much safer option to keep baby shaded while allowing air to circulate freely.
For more on creating a safer sleep environment in summer and while travelling, visit:
