What should a baby wear to bed 20 degrees

Q: Is 20 degrees cold for a baby?

The Best Room Temperature for Babies You dont want your babys room to be either too hot or too cold. Its recommended that the best temperature for babies is between 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit or 20 to 22 degrees Celsius.

Research shows a clear link between overheating and an increased risk of sudden unexpected death in infancy, so it is important that parents and carers know how to dress baby for sleep.

Table of Contents Show

Choosing the right layers of sleepwear
Is 20 degrees cold for a baby?
How many blankets does a baby need at 20 degrees?
What should baby wear to bed at 21 degrees?
How do I keep my baby warm in 20 degree weather?

Babies control their temperature predominantly through their head and face. This is why we recommend that you put baby to sleep on their back with head and face uncovered.

Always remember to remove head coverings for sleep and ensure baby is positioned with their feet at the bottom of the cot – and if you’re using sheets or blankets, make sure they are firmly tucked in to prevent baby from wriggling down and overheating.

Room temperature

Red Nose does not recommend a specific room temperature for baby’s sleep. This is because there is no evidence to show that maintaining a specific room temperature prevents sudden infant death.

As long as baby is put down to sleep on their back, and that baby is dressed appropriately for the room temperature – not overdressed or under dressed – with their head and face uncovered, you can feel reassured that you are protecting baby from overheating.

We don’t believe that it’s necessary to use a room temperature monitor, or to leave the heating or cooling on all night, as long as baby is dressed appropriately for the temperature of the room – not too hot, not too cold.

To check, feel baby’s tummy, which should feel warm. Don’t worry if baby’s hands and feet feel cool – this is normal.

If your baby shows signs of heat stress, such as flushed and clammy skin, remove some bedding or clothing and offer fluids such as breast milk for young babies or water for older children.

An oscillating fan positioned away from the cot can help during the hotter months. Fans circulate the air and also provide white noise for baby, which can help them sleep more soundly. Research has demonstrated that oscillating fans can help to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in some circumstances.

What should baby wear?

Dress your baby as you would dress yourself for the temperature of the room – comfortably warm, not too hot, not too cold.

The right sleepwear can help keep baby comfortable and safe. A good option is Bonds Wondercool – the only baby clothing approved by Red Nose for safer sleep.

In warmer weather, you can dress baby in a sleeveless and legless onesies, or just a nappy and singlet. For cooler weather, a full suit will keep baby warm.

If you are using a sleeping bag, select the TOG that matches the temperature of the room. Use the manufacturer’s guide, which usually comes with the packaging, to select the right TOG and underclothes. Also make sure your sleeping bag is safe – it should be fitted around the neck, and baby’s arms fully out of the bag.

For younger babies being swaddled or wrapped, we recommend lightweight, breathable fabrics such as muslin and cotton.

If you are using sheets and a blanket, make sure they are also lightweight and breathable muslin or cotton fabric. But never place soft items in the cot such as lambswool or overlays, as these increase the risk of overheating.

When dressing baby for sleep, remember to dress baby for the temperature of the room – comfortably warm, not too hot and not too cold.

Check out our Safe Sleep Advice Hub for more information about safe sleeping, or you can ask our Safe Sleep Educators a question.

Last modified: 27/1/22

Babies often wake from the cold in the early hours of the morning, but it can be hard to work out how to layer your baby at night, especially if baby's room is hot at the start of the night, but drops quickly overnight. So, if you're wondering how to layer your babe for cooler temperatures, here’s a handy guide to winter layers for your baby.

And remember, trust your gut. You've got this. Our clothing guides are only guides - there isn't a guide which can be applied to all babies. Use your judgement - if your little one feels cold or hot and is waking more frequently, experiment with the layers - add or remove or think about moving to a different weight bag (in summer for example). Over-heating is one of the risk factors for SIDS, so it is essential parents are aware of how to ensure their baby doesn't overheat. A baby who is too hot may be crying, red and sweaty and increasingly distressed. Babies who are too hot will find it hard to settle and sleep. You may also see a heat rash. Read more about overheating here.

By Maria Linton, Resident Sleep Coach : Qualified Happiest Baby educator & qualified Infant and Child Sleep Consultant

Choosing the right layers of sleepwear

Is 20 degrees cold for a baby?

The Best Room Temperature for Babies You don't want your baby's room to be either too hot or too cold. It's recommended that the best temperature for babies is between 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit or 20 to 22 degrees Celsius.

How many blankets does a baby need at 20 degrees?

If the temperature is 20 degrees, use either a sleeping bag with a 1 tog rating, or one blanket. If the temperature is 16 degrees, use a 2.5 tog sleeping bag, or 2 blankets.

What should baby wear to bed at 21 degrees?

Room under 16 degrees: Use a 2.5 tog bag with a cotton bodysuit and sleepsuit. Room at 17-21 degrees: Use a 2.5 tog with a cotton bodysuit. Room at 22 to 25 degrees: Use a lightweight 1.5 tog with a cotton bodysuit. Room above 25 degrees: Use a 0.5 tog sheet or muslin bag and a short-sleeved bodysuit.