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

Quick Answer

Keep your baby out of direct sunlight, dress them in loose, lightweight clothing and make sure there is plenty of airflow around their pushchair. Never cover a pushchair or pram with a blanket or muslin, as this can trap heat and reduce ventilation. For sleep, aim to keep the room between 16°C and 20°C where possible, use lighter bedding and regularly check your baby's chest or the back of their neck for signs they are getting too warm.

Safety guidance: Reviewed against NHS, UKHSA and The Lullaby Trust hot-weather and safer-sleep guidance.

Babies are less able to regulate their body temperature than adults, which means warmer weather needs a little more planning. They can't remove a layer themselves, move into the shade or tell you that they're becoming uncomfortable.

Whether you're heading out in the pushchair, travelling by car or trying to keep bedtime comfortable through a warm night, a few simple habits can help reduce the risk of overheating.

In the sun Prioritise shade and avoid direct sunlight

In the pushchair Keep airflow open and never cover the hood

At bedtime Aim for a room temperature of 16–20°C

Check regularly Feel the chest or back of the neck

Family using an iCandy Peach pushchair during warm weather

Why babies need extra care in the heat

Small bodies warm up quickly

Babies are not as effective at regulating their temperature as adults. They also rely entirely on parents and carers to adjust their clothing, move them out of the sun and recognise when they're becoming too warm.

Regular checks are particularly important during hot weather. Rather than relying on hands or feet, which can naturally feel cooler, feel your baby's chest or the back of their neck.

If they feel hot, sweaty or clammy, move them somewhere cooler and remove a layer of clothing.

Out and about

How to keep your baby cool in a pushchair

Shade, breathable clothing and unrestricted airflow are the priorities when you're outside with your baby in warm weather.

01 Dress lightly Choose loose-fitting, breathable clothing such as lightweight cotton or muslin and avoid unnecessary layers.

02 Prioritise shade Keep babies out of direct sunlight and make use of shaded areas, indoor spaces or an appropriate pushchair parasol.

03 Keep ventilation open Make use of built-in mesh and ventilation panels so fresh air can continue circulating around your baby.

04 Keep checking in Regularly feel your baby's chest or neck and take a break somewhere cooler if they begin to feel hot or clammy.

Never cover a pushchair with a blanket or muslin Even lightweight fabric can reduce airflow and trap heat inside the pushchair. Use the pushchair's own canopy, ventilation and a suitable parasol or sunshade instead.

Designed for airflow

Ventilation makes a difference

When you're spending time outside, built-in ventilation can help fresh air move through the pushchair or carrycot rather than allowing warm air to sit around your baby.

The iCandy Peach 8 carrycot includes ventilation at both the head and foot end, while ventilation panels across the iCandy range are designed to support airflow during warmer journeys.

Canopy fabrics also provide UPF 50+ protection, helping create a more comfortable environment when you're out and about.

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iCandy Peach 8 carrycot ventilation and newborn comfort

Keeping cool at home

Small changes can help keep the room more comfortable

Warm bedrooms can be difficult to avoid during periods of hot weather, but there are several simple ways to reduce heat and improve airflow.

Close curtains during the day

Keeping direct sunlight out can help prevent the room heating up as quickly.

Encourage airflow

Open the bedroom door and a window when it is safe to do so.

Use a fan carefully

A fan can help circulate air through the room, but it should not be aimed directly at your baby.

Reduce layers

Use lighter clothing and bedding and follow the guidance supplied with your baby's sleep bag.

Sleep temperature

16–20°C

Aim for a cool sleep environment

NHS and The Lullaby Trust recommend a room temperature of around 16°C to 20°C for sleeping babies. A room thermometer can make this much easier to monitor than trying to judge the temperature yourself.

During particularly hot weather it may not always be possible to bring the room into that range. Continue monitoring the temperature, reduce layers and bedding and keep following safer-sleep guidance.

In very warm conditions, a short-sleeved vest or even just a nappy may be appropriate.

iCandy carrycot designed with safer sleep and ventilation in mind

Safer sleep in warm weather

Keep the sleep space clear

Always place your baby on their back on a firm, flat mattress and keep the sleep space clear of pillows, toys and loose or bulky bedding.

If you're using a carrycot for overnight sleep, make sure the specific carrycot is approved for overnight sleeping and follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Avoid adding folded blankets, quilts or extra padding beneath your baby, even if you're trying to make the sleep surface feel more comfortable.

Continue checking your baby's temperature rather than relying only on how warm the room feels.

Travelling in the heat

Take extra care on car journeys

Cars can heat up extremely quickly, so warmer weather calls for additional care before, during and after every journey.

Never leave a baby in a parked car Not even for a few minutes. The temperature inside a vehicle can rise rapidly, including on days that do not feel especially hot outside.

Take regular breaks On longer journeys, stop regularly so you can check your baby and give them a break from the car seat.

Move out of the car seat Car seats are designed for safe travel rather than as a primary sleep environment once the journey has ended.

Know what to look for

Signs your baby may be getting too hot

Your baby's chest or the back of their neck gives a more useful indication of their temperature than their hands or feet.

Hot or clammy skin Skin that feels unusually hot, sweaty or clammy can be a sign that your baby needs cooling down.

Flushed appearance Red or flushed cheeks may accompany other signs that your baby is becoming too warm.

Unsettled behaviour A baby who seems unusually uncomfortable or restless may be struggling with the temperature.

What to do Move somewhere cooler, remove a layer of clothing and offer their usual milk feeds regularly.

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 advice.

Save this for warmer days

Summer baby safety checklist

Outdoors

Keep them shaded

Keep babies out of direct sunlight.
Use a suitable parasol or built-in canopy.
Choose lightweight breathable clothing.
Keep ventilation panels open.

Pushchair

Protect the airflow

Never cover the pushchair with a blanket or muslin.
Use built-in ventilation where available.
Regularly check baby's chest or neck.
Take breaks somewhere cooler when needed.

Sleep

Keep bedtime cooler

Aim for a room temperature of 16–20°C.
Use lighter clothing and bedding.
Keep the sleep space clear.
Place baby on their back on a firm, flat mattress.

Travel

Take extra care in the car

Never leave a baby alone in a parked vehicle.
Take regular breaks on longer journeys.
Offer regular milk feeds.
Move baby from the car seat once the journey has ended.

Need to know

Frequently Asked Questions

Can babies sleep with a fan on?

A fan can be used to circulate air and help keep the room more comfortable. It should not be aimed directly at your baby.

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

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

Should I cover the pushchair with a muslin in hot weather?

No. A muslin, blanket or other cover can reduce airflow and trap heat inside the pushchair, increasing 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 their usual milk feeds more frequently. Babies over 6 months can be offered small amounts of water alongside their normal milk feeds.

Should I check heat-health alerts before going out?

During periods of very warm weather, check the current UKHSA Heat-Health Alert dashboard and local weather forecast before heading out, particularly with babies and young children.

Enjoy warmer days with confidence

Shade. Airflow. Fewer layers. Regular checks.

Hot weather does not have to mean staying indoors all summer. A little preparation, thoughtful sun protection and regular temperature checks can help make warmer family adventures much more comfortable.

Follow your baby's cues, keep their environment well ventilated and never hesitate to move somewhere cooler or seek medical advice if you're concerned.

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