Studies have found that bedroom heating increases SIDS risk,10 whereas well-ventilated bedrooms and use of a fan is associated with decreased risk of SIDS. These findings suggest that indoor heat is an important risk factor for SIDS.
Overheating may increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in babies one month to one year of age. Many experts recommend that the temperature in the room where a baby's sleeps be kept between 68–72°F (20–22.2°C).
Being too warm while sleeping can increase a baby's risk of SIDS .
Babies do best in a cool room (68–72˚F). A cooler environment helps prevent SIDS. Your baby's skin on the chest and stomach should feel warm and dry.
It is important to make sure that your baby is a comfortable temperature – not too hot or too cold. The chance of SIDS is higher in babies who get too hot. A room temperature of 16-20°C – with light bedding or a lightweight, well-fitting baby sleep bag– is comfortable and safe for sleeping babies.
Goodstein said, when babies sleep in the same room as their parents, the background sounds or stirrings prevent very deep sleep and that helps keeps the babies safe. Room sharing also makes breast-feeding easier, which is protective against SIDS.
SIDS is most common at 2-4 months of age when the cardiorespiratory system of all infants is in rapid transition and therefore unstable. So, all infants in this age range are at risk for dysfunction of neurological control of breathing.
A better way to measure is to feel your baby's torso. If it is warm to the touch, then your baby is just fine! A lot of development is happening in the core of newborns so blood is naturally diverted to this area. We recommend that babies need 1 additional layer of clothing than you do to remain comfortable.
It's recommended that the best temperature for babies is between 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit or 20 to 22 degrees Celsius. Babies are more sensitive to changes in room temperature because they're so small and their bodies are still growing.
For example, SIDS is more likely to affect a baby who is between 1 and 4 months old, it is more common in boys than girls, and most deaths occur during the fall, winter and early spring months.
Additional recommendations for SIDS risk reduction include human milk feeding; avoidance of exposure to nicotine, alcohol, marijuana, opioids, and illicit drugs; routine immunization; and use of a pacifier.
Experts have had little idea what causes SIDS. A new study released by Australian researchers, however, may change that, by linking an enzyme called butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) to SIDS. According to the study, children who have died due to SIDS appear to have lower levels of BChE.
Do Babies Sleep Better in a Cold Room? Babies tend to sleep better in a comfortably cool room. Because babies have a greater proportion of exposed surface area for their weight, it is easier for them to lose body heat.
When it comes down to the ideal temperature for your baby's room regardless of winter or summer months, experts recommend maintaining a temperature within the range of 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit, or 20 to 22 degrees Celsius.
If using a swaddle or sleep sack, just a diaper underneath is sufficient in temperatures over 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
The NICHD notes that SIDS is most common when an infant is between 1–4 months old. Additionally, more than 90% of SIDS deaths occur before the age of 6 months old. The risk of SIDS reduces after an infant is 8 months old.
Overheating your baby is linked to an increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), otherwise known as cot death. It's rare for a baby's room to need heating during the night, but make sure you keep the room at a comfortable temperature.
When the room is too hot, research has shown that it can increase your baby's risk of SIDS; when it's too cold, baby can easily become uncomfortably chilly and wake up unnecessarily.
In general, layered clothing for sleep is practical, in case you need to remove or add a layer. Pajamas with feet are a good choice. "Wearable blankets" or sleep sacks that won't get tangled can also help keep your baby cozy. Contrary to what you might think, babies don't need more bundling up than adults.
When the thermometer reads 20 degrees or lower, the temperature is too cold for a baby. If you must be outside in extreme temperatures, take measures to make sure your child isn't exposed to the elements for more than a few minutes at a time. You'll also want to keep an eye on the wind.
White noise reduces the risk of SIDS.
We DO know that white noise reduces active sleep (which is the sleep state where SIDS is most likely to occur).
Sucking on a pacifier requires forward positioning of the tongue, thus decreasing this risk of oropharyngeal obstruction. The influence of pacifier use on sleep position may also contribute to its apparent protective effect against SIDS.
Most SIDS deaths happen in babies between 1 and 4 months old, and cases rise during cold weather. Babies might have a higher risk of SIDS if: their mother smoked, drank, or used drugs during pregnancy and after birth. their mother had poor prenatal care.