Safe, Snug, and Just Right: Preventing SIDS & Overheating in Babies

As a parents, our top priority is keeping our babies safe — that remains true when it comes to sleep.  Did you know that when a baby gets too hot, their risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) goes up? That’s why it’s important to find a balance: warm enough to be comfortable, but not so warm that your baby overheats while sleeping.

Here’s how you can reduce the risk and help your baby sleep safely and comfortably:

Why Overheating Matters

According to NHS guidance, overheating (when a baby’s body temperature gets too high) is a known risk factor for SIDS. Making a few small adjustments in how you dress and layer your baby can go a long way in keeping them safe while they sleep.

Tips to Avoid Overheating

1. Layering for the Room

   • Use light, breathable sleepwear. Think cotton or muslin.

   • Layer clothes instead of bundling into heavy one-piece sleepers — that way, you can adjust as needed.

2. Keep the Room Comfortable

   • Try to maintain a bedroom temperature around 60–68°F, if possible.

   • Make sure the crib isn’t directly near a heater or in direct sunlight.

3. Be Careful With Swaddles and Blankets

   • If you’re using a swaddle, pick lightweight, breathable fabric.

   • Avoid heavy blankets — instead, consider a wearable blanket (sleep sack) suited for the season.

   • Make sure nothing is covering your baby’s face or head during sleep.

4. Check on Baby

   • Feel their neck, tummy, or chest — if they feel sweaty or too warm, remove a layer.

   • Avoid over-bundling; babies don’t need to be bundled as tightly as adults sometimes think.

Reducing SIDS Risk Too

While overheating is just one factor, it’s one you can control — and reducing that risk helps protect your baby. Pair these layers-and-temperature tips with other safe sleep practices: always place your baby on their back to sleep, use a firm, flat mattress, and keep the crib free of soft toys, bumpers, or loose bedding. 

Caring for a newborn means lots of things — feeding, changing, snuggling — but sleep safety is one of the most powerful ways you can protect them. By staying mindful of how they’re dressed, how warm their sleep space feels, and how they’re laid down, you’re doing something really important. Overheating might seem small, but reducing that risk is a big step toward keeping your baby safe.

Citations:

https://www.nhs.uk/baby/caring-for-a-newborn/reduce-the-risk-of-sudden-infant-death-syndrome/#:~:text=Overheating%20can%20increase%20the%20risk,they’re%20not%20too%20hot