Baby overheating at night: signs, causes and what actually helps
You've gone in to check on them and they feel a touch too warm and a little clammy. It's a common worry, and the good news is it's usually straightforward to sort. Here's what the evidence actually points to.
How to tell if your little babe is too warm
Hands and feet are often cool even when your babe is perfectly comfortable, so they're not the best guide. Red Nose suggests feeling their chest or the back of their neck instead. A bit too warm and damp? This can be a sign your babe might be happy with one less layer or a lighter TOG.
What usually causes it
Most of the time it comes down to layers, the environment, or your babe fighting off a bug. Too many layers or layers to heavy for the temperature are the most common and the easiest to fix.
What actually helps
Matching the layers to the environment will usually do the trick. If you're ever unsure, feeling your babe is the best way to check. And remember, small adjustments go a long way.
When it's worth a call
If your babe seems unwell, is very unsettled, or you're just not sure, trust your gut! Your GP, child health nurse, or Pregnancy, Birth and Baby on 1800 882 436 are there for exactly this.
How the environment fits in
Knowing the temperature where your babe sleeps takes one variable out of the guessing. Orbie reads it live at their level and suggests the layers, so warmth is one less thing to wonder about at 2am.
This article is general information, not medical advice. If you're ever worried about your little babe, trust your gut and reach out to your GP, child health nurse, or Pregnancy, Birth and Baby on 1800 882 436.
Sources
- Red Nose Australia - Six safe sleep recommendations
- Red Nose Australia - How to dress baby for sleep
- Bach V & Libert JP (2022). Hyperthermia and Heat Stress as Risk Factors for SIDS. Frontiers in Pediatrics. Read here
- Coleman-Phox K et al. (2008). Use of a Fan During Sleep and the Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. Read here
Red Nose suggests checking your babe's warmth at the chest or back of the neck, not the hands or feet.
Zero guesswork, every night
Orbie reads your babe's environment and the app tells you exactly what to dress them in.