Temperatures set to hit 35°C in the South East, hottest day since 2020

The Lullaby Trust issued advice for parents on keeping babies safe and cool on 17 June 2022, as temperatures were set to hit highs of 35°C in the South East, described by the charity as the hottest day since 2020¹.

The charity said the ideal temperature for a baby's room is 16-20°C, to reduce the chance of SIDS, and that keeping rooms from getting too hot can be difficult when the heat reaches a record high¹. Its advice for parents was to close blinds or curtains during the day to stop the room a baby sleeps in from getting too hot; to put a fan in the bedroom to help circulate the air, out of reach and not pointed directly at the baby; to reduce layers, with just a nappy and no bedding fine in hot weather; to monitor the temperature with a room thermometer; and to check the baby's chest or the back of their neck, with clammy skin a sign they are getting too hot¹.

For time outdoors, the charity said prams should be covered with a clip-on sunshade to keep the baby out of direct sunlight, with their temperature monitored to avoid overheating, and urged parents not to cover a pram with blankets or cloths that prevent air from circulating¹. It said covering a pram with a blanket could lead to overheating, which increases the chance of SIDS and creates a barrier between parent and child, making it difficult to spot signs that the baby is getting too hot¹. Babies should be kept out of direct sunlight and kept indoors during the hottest part of the day, and where possible parents should avoid taking their baby on public transport during peak hours and try to find a shop or café with air-conditioning so they can cool down¹.

"We've had lots of enquiries from parents on social media who are worried about their babies overheating, and we appreciate how hard it can be to keep babies cool in such hot weather. We would recommend parents regularly monitor their baby's temperature. If their baby's skin is hot or sweaty, remove one or more layers of bedclothes or bedding, and think about moving them somewhere that might be a bit cooler."

Jenny Ward, Chief Executive of The Lullaby Trust¹

Why it matters for households

The advice applies to households with babies in the South East and elsewhere during the hot spell, and covers both the sleep environment and time away from home. The charity's stated benchmark for a baby's room is 16-20°C, against a forecast high of 35°C¹. Its guidance on prams is specific: a clip-on sunshade rather than a blanket or cloth, because covering a pram can raise the risk of overheating and hide the signs that a baby is too hot¹. The charity also advises that babies are kept out of direct sunlight and indoors during the hottest part of the day, and that parents avoid public transport at peak hours where possible and seek air-conditioned places to cool down¹. Further detail on room temperatures and hot weather checks is set out in the guide on what temperature a baby's room should be and the baby and child hot weather checklist; general household preparation is covered in the hot weather preparation checklist and the heatwaves and drought hub.