How to Keep Your Baby Cool in Hot Weather: Safety Tips for Parents

Updated: 24 June 2026 | Reviewed against NHS, UKHSA and The Lullaby Trust guidance

Hot weather update: June 2026

The UK is currently under UKHSA heat-health alerts, with red alerts in several English regions from 24–25 June 2026. Check the latest UKHSA heat-health alert dashboard before heading out, especially with babies and young children.

To keep your baby cool in hot weather, dress them in loose, lightweight clothing, keep them out of direct sunlight, make sure their pushchair has good airflow, and never cover the pushchair with a blanket or muslin. For sleep, try to keep their room between 16°C and 20°C.

Babies cannot regulate their body temperature the way adults can, which makes them more vulnerable to overheating. Because overheating is a known risk factor for SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome), it is especially important to keep your baby from getting too hot while they sleep, particularly when they are under 1 year old, and most of all under 6 months, when the risk of SIDS is highest.

Whether you are heading out for a walk, travelling by car or settling your baby down for sleep, the guidance below will help you reduce the risk of overheating and keep your little one comfortable during warmer weather.

The UK is currently under UKHSA heat-health alerts. Check the latest alert for your region on the UKHSA dashboard before heading out, and take extra care during the hottest part of the day.

Why do babies overheat more easily than adults?

Babies overheat more easily because their bodies are less able to regulate their temperature, they lose heat differently to adults, and they cannot remove layers or move out of the heat by themselves.**This means the responsibility for keeping a baby cool sits entirely with the adult caring for them. Checking your baby regularly, dressing them appropriately and keeping their environment cool are the most effective ways to reduce the risk of overheating.

How do I keep my baby cool in a pushchair?

Keep your baby in the shade, dress them in lightweight fabrics, choose a pushchair with ventilation panels for airflow, and never cover the pushchair with a blanket or muslin.

Clothing

Avoid dressing your baby in too many layers. Choose loose-fitting clothing and a hat made from lightweight, breathable fabrics such as cotton or muslin.

Shade

Keep babies out of direct sunlight and opt for shaded areas or indoor spaces wherever possible, particularly between 11am and 3pm when UV levels are at their highest.

Attaching a UPF 50+ iCandy parasol to your pushchair helps keep your baby shaded from harmful rays. The flexible arm allows easy positioning throughout the day, providing shade as the sun moves across the sky.

Quick Answer

How to keep your baby cool in hot weather

Keep your baby out of direct sunlight, dress them in loose cotton clothing, keep their sleep space between 16°C and 20°C where possible, offer regular feeds, use shade and airflow when out in a pushchair, and never cover a pushchair or pram with a blanket or muslin.

Sun Protection

If your baby is 6 months or older, apply a sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 30 that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Apply it generously and reapply every two hours, or immediately after swimming or excessive sweating.

Pushchair Ventilation

When spending time outdoors, choose a pushchair with built-in ventilation panels to help maintain airflow around your baby. Mesh ventilation panels can noticeably improve comfort on warmer days.

The iCandy Peach 8 carrycot includes ventilation panels at both the head and foot end, improving airflow and supporting your baby's comfort during warmer weather. Across the iCandy range, canopy hoods include ventilation panels and UPF 50+ fabrics to support airflow and sun protection.

Never cover the pushchair

Do not cover your pushchair with blankets, muslin cloths or any other cover. Covering a pushchair traps heat inside and reduces airflow, which increases the risk of overheating, even when the cover is thin.

How do I keep my baby cool indoors during hot weather?

Keep the room between 16°C and 20°C, close curtains during the day, encourage airflow, and use lighter bedding and clothing.

A room thermometer helps you monitor the temperature accurately. A few more ways to keep your baby cool at home:

Use lighter bedding and clothing during warm weather.
Open the bedroom door and a window, if it is safe to do so, to improve airflow.
Check your baby's sleep bag guidance to choose an appropriate tog rating for the season.
Use a fan to circulate air, but do not point it directly at your baby.

How do I create a safer sleep environment in hot weather?

Always place your baby on their back on a firm, flat mattress, keep the sleep space clear of toys, pillows and loose bedding, and follow safer sleep guidance from The Lullaby Trust.

Safer sleep guidance for warm weather includes:

Always place your baby on their back for sleep.
Use a firm, flat mattress.
Keep the sleep space clear of toys, pillows and loose bedding.
If using a carrycot for overnight sleeping, always follow the manufacturer's guidance and ensure it is approved for overnight sleep.
Avoid placing folded blankets or quilts beneath your baby in a travel cot.

How do I travel safely with a baby in hot weather?

Take regular breaks, avoid prolonged sleeping in car seats, and never leave your baby alone in a parked car, even for a few minutes.

Take regular breaks during long journeys to check on your baby and allow them to stretch and move around. Car seats are designed to keep babies safe during travel, but they are not intended to be used as a primary sleeping environment outside the vehicle, so avoid prolonged sleeping in them.

Never leave a baby alone in a parked car. Temperatures inside a vehicle can rise very quickly, even on a mild day, creating a serious risk of heat-related illness.

What are the signs my baby is overheating, and what should I do?

Signs your baby is too hot include skin that feels sweaty, clammy or hot to touch, flushed cheeks and appearing unsettled. If you notice these signs, move your baby somewhere cooler, remove a layer, and offer a feed to keep them hydrated.

To check your baby's temperature, feel their chest or the back of their neck rather than their hands or feet, which can feel cool even when your baby is warm. If their skin feels hot, sweaty or clammy, they may need a layer removed.

Keep babies under 6 months out of direct sunlight altogether. Older babies should also be kept out of the sun as much as possible, particularly between 11am and 3pm when UV levels are strongest.

Keep your baby hydrated by offering regular feeds. Fully breastfed babies do not usually need extra water until they begin eating solid foods. Formula-fed babies may want more frequent feeds in hot weather.

When to seek medical help

If your baby seems very unwell, is unusually sleepy or floppy, is refusing feeds, or you are worried for any reason, contact NHS 111 or your GP. For more guidance on recognising overheating and when to seek advice, visit the NHS website or The Lullaby Trust.

Quick summer baby safety checklist:

Keep babies out of direct sunlight.
Never cover a pushchair with blankets or muslins.
Dress babies in lightweight, breathable fabrics.
Maintain a cool sleep environment between 16°C and 20°C.
Check your baby's chest or neck for signs of overheating.
Take extra care when travelling in hot weather.
Never leave a baby alone in a parked car, even for a few minutes.
Follow safer sleep guidance for every nap and bedtime.

Frequently asked questions

Can babies sleep with a fan on?

Yes. A fan can help circulate air and keep a room comfortable during warm weather. It should not be aimed directly at your baby.

How can I tell if my baby is too hot at night?

Check your baby's chest or the back of their neck. If their skin feels hot, sweaty or clammy, they may be too warm and need a layer removed.

Should I cover my pushchair with a muslin or blanket in hot weather?

No. Covering a pushchair with a muslin or blanket traps heat and reduces airflow, which increases the risk of overheating.

Does my baby need extra water in hot weather?

Fully breastfed babies do not usually need extra water before they start eating solid foods. Formula-fed babies may want more frequent feeds during hot weather. If your baby is over 6 months old, you can offer small amounts of water alongside their usual milk feeds. If you are concerned about hydration, speak to your health visitor or healthcare professional.

Where can I get help?

The Lullaby Trust provides trusted information and advice on safer sleep, summer baby safety and support for families affected by SIDS.

Website: lullabytrust.org.uk
Helpline: 0808 802 6868

For NHS guidance on heat and your baby, visit the NHS website.

Last updated: June 2026. Reviewed against guidance from the NHS, UKHSA and The Lullaby Trust.