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Safer Sleep in Summer & While Travelling: Expert Advice from The Lullaby Trust
Back to Baby Sleep
As temperatures climb and summer adventures begin, the need to prioritise safe sleep for babies becomes even more important. Warm weather, unfamiliar environments, and disrupted routines can all pose challenges when it comes to keeping little ones comfortable and secure at night. That’s why Love to Dream is proud to be working in partnership with The Lullaby Trust, a charity dedicated to saving babies’ lives and supporting families affected by sudden infant death. Together, we’re combining expert knowledge with thoughtful product design to help families navigate safer summer sleep, at home or on holiday.
Through our collaboration on the Stage 3 On-the-Move sleep bag and sleep suit range, we aim to raise awareness of vital safer sleep guidance and help parents to make confident choices for their children this summer.
Why Summer Sleep Needs Special Attention
Babies are more vulnerable to heat than adults as they cannot regulate their own body temperature for the first 12 months. Overheating is known to increase the risk of SIDS, making it essential to monitor your baby’s environment, temperature and clothing closely during the warmer months.
Common summer sleep disruptions could include:
- Overheating in hot rooms
- Dehydration from warmer weather
- Unfamiliar sleep environments while on holiday
- Noise from open windows
Here’s how to create a cooler and safer sleep experience for your baby this summer:
Keep the Room Cool (16–20°C)
Creating a safer and more comfortable sleep space is key. According to The Lullaby Trust, the optimal room temperature for baby sleep is between 16°C and 20°C. However this can be tricky in warmer weather.
Tips to cool the nursery:
Close curtains and blinds
Keeping these closed during the day can help to block out the sun and reduce the room temperature at night.
Use a fan or natural ventilation
But keep air flowing gently and not directed directly at your baby.
Try placing a bowl of ice in front of a fan
This can help create a makeshift "air conditioner" effect.
Open windows around the home
Allowing airflow in the early evening for a cooling breeze.
Monitor temperature
Use a room thermometer or a baby monitor with a built-in sensor to check the temperature and adjust your baby's sleepwear accordingly.
How to check if your baby is too hot
To check your baby isn’t getting too hot, touch their chest or the back of their neck. If they feel clammy or sweaty, these are signs they’re getting too hot, so remove a layer of clothing and adjust the room temperature if possible.
2. Dress for the Temperature - Less is more
What to wear to bed in summer:
- Choose natural fibres like cotton or bamboo that wick away heat and moisture.
- Avoid thick and heavy sleepwear overheating is a bigger risk than being cool in summer.
Refer to TOG ratings to guide your sleepwear choices.
Hydration & Bathtime for Better Rest
Hydration is key to avoiding restlessness, crankiness, and interrupted sleep:
- Make sure your child drinks plenty of age-appropriate fluids throughout the day. If you’re solely breastfeeding your baby, they don’t need any extra water until they start eating solid food. If you formula feed your baby, as well as their usual milk feeds, you can give your baby a little cooled boiled water.
- If they are on solids, offer water-rich snacks like cucumber or watermelon.
- For toddlers, keep a spill-safe thermal water bottle near the cot or bed at night.
Bonus tip:
- A lukewarm bath or sponge down before bed can help cool your baby’s core temperature. Just avoid very cold water, this could be stimulating rather than soothing.
Every baby feels hot and cold differently...
and their temperatures fluctuate. A child's general health and wellbeing can impact their body temperature and different clothing and sleepwear layer combinations will affect every baby differently. We recommend that check your baby regularly.
Travel Smart: Safer Sleep on the Go
Summer often means holidays and new sleeping spaces, but it’s just as important to follow safer sleep practices while travelling.
Top tips for holiday sleep:
- Use a travel cot with a firm, flat mattress - no need for extra padding or blankets.
- Make sure the cot is away from radiators, out of direct sunlight and out of reach of blind cords or any other hazards.
- Regularly check the room temperature at your accommodation and adjust your baby's sleepwear TOG and layers accordingly.
Remember:
- Babies’ sleep needs are very different from adults. What feels “cosy” to us can pose a risk of overheating or suffocation to them.
Did you know?...
If your baby is unwell with a cold or fever don’t be tempted to wrap them up more than usual. Your baby should be dressed for their environment. You could also use The Lullaby Trusts Baby Check App to help you assess if your baby needs to see a health professional.
Learn More & Explore the Collection
- Explore our TOG-rated summer sleeping bag range
- Learn more about safer sleep from The Lullaby Trust
Have more questions? Visit our Sleep Suit and Bag FAQs or get in touch via our Help Centre.
Our Shared Mission
At Love to Dream, we believe that todays little dreamers are the shapers of tomorrow. That’s why we’re honoured to support The Lullaby Trust in its life-saving work.
“By working together, we’re able to support parents with essential resources, and empower thousands of families with guidance that could save lives.” -The Lullaby Trust
We’re proud that our sleepwear is helping families feel safer and more confident, whether it’s a summer night at home or a breezy evening on the road.