Parents who let their babies sleep in nappies only issued warning over ‘mistake’
Parents have been warned about a common bedtime mistake made during a heatwave, with one midwife urging mums and dads not to leave their babies sleeping in just a nappy.
Getting a little one settled during a heatwave can be tricky, but registered midwife Lily Foggan says stripping a baby down to their nappy and leaving them with nothing else is not the way to go.
The ideal room temperature for a sleeping baby is between 16–20°C, according to guidance from The Lullaby Trust, which recommends keeping nurseries within this range to help reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
When temperatures creep higher, parents can make a few changes to help keep their little ones comfortable, including choosing lighter clothing, reducing layers and opting for a lower-tog sleeping bag.
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Lily explains: "In hot weather, babies obviously need fewer layers than normal. Lightweight sleepwear and lower-tog sleep bags are usually preferable to blankets, which can be kicked off or accidentally cover a baby's face.
"However, a common mistake I see is parents leaving their baby in a nappy overnight, with nothing else, in fear of them getting too hot.
"Remember, usually we're sleeping with a duvet and pyjamas, so they will need something similar."
She also explained how parents can check whether their baby is too warm, adding: "Check their chest or the back of their neck for a more accurate indication of temperature, or can also check their temperature.
"The Tommee Tippee No Touch Digital Thermometer is great at eliminating the risk of waking them up, which no one wants, especially during a heatwave."
Earlier this week on Thursday (13 August), the UK recorded its hottest day of the year so far, as temperatures provisionally reached 38.1C at Kew Gardens in London, the Met Office said.
Experts have outlined a few simple ways to stop a baby's bedroom from becoming unbearably warm as the temperatures continue to soar.
The Lullaby Trust recommends keeping curtains closed during the day to prevent sunlight heating up the room, while opening a window and bedroom door can help air circulate when it is safe to do so.
A fan can also be used to cool the room, but it should not be directed straight at the baby.
Parents are advised to check their baby's sleeping bag guidance for the appropriate tog rating and use a room thermometer where possible, as it can be difficult to judge the temperature by feel alone.
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Rhiannon Ingle