For a 5.6°C (10°F) increase in temperature, the risk of SIDS increased by 8.6% (95% CI: 3.6%, 13.8%) in the summer (Jun-Aug) and decreased by 3.1% (95% CI: -5.0%, -1.3%) in the winter (Dec-Feb) (Figure 2). There was no association between SIDS and temperature in the fall and spring.
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).
A temperature around 100.4 degrees fahrenheit (or 38 degrees celsius) is considered too hot for a baby.
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.
But there's an even more serious concern: Overheating can raise the risk of infant sleep death, also called SIDS. Studies have shown that thick clothing, too many layers, and high room temperatures increase the 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.
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.
How to reduce the risk of SIDS. To reduce the risk of SIDS: place your baby on their back to sleep, in a cot in the same room as you, for the first 6 months. keep your baby's head uncovered – their blanket should be tucked in no higher than their shoulders.
The number of infants who die of SIDS rises during the winter, notes an NICHD news release. "During these colder months, parents often place extra blankets or clothes on infants, hoping to provide them with more warmth. In fact, the extra material may actually increase infants' risk for SIDS," states the release.
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. Babies are more sensitive to changes in room temperature because they're so small and their bodies are still growing.
Babies will wake and cry if they're a bit chilly, and you can solve the problem then. But they won't likely do the same if they're too hot. And while I don't like to spark fear, especially when the summertime heat is beyond our control, overheating is a risk factor for SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).
Set the Ideal Room Temperature for a Newborn
To help decrease the chance of SIDS, strive to keep the nursery at 68 to 72 degrees F in all seasons. Temperatures of up to 75 degrees are acceptable in very hot climates.
Experts believe SIDS occurs at a particular stage in a baby's development and that it affects babies vulnerable to certain environmental stresses. This vulnerability may be caused by being born prematurely or having a low birthweight, or because of other reasons that have not been identified yet.
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).
Oftentimes, babies who succumb to SIDS have had a “minor infection” in the days before death. Infants' immune systems are immature, and breast milk helps to provide necessary antibodies to fight infections such as RSV, which can contribute to inflammation and lead to SIDS. Breastfeeding promotes safer sleep.
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.
Although SIDS can occur at any age before 12 months, it is most common when an infant is between 1–4 months old. SIDS is less common after an infant is 8 months old, but a person should still take precautions to reduce the risk.
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.
Results: The majority of SIDS deaths (83%) occurred during night-time sleep, although this was often after midnight and at least four SIDS deaths occurred during every hour of the day.
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.
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.
Is 80 Degrees Too Hot for Baby to Sleep? Yes, again, 80 degrees is likely much too hot for your baby to sleep well. At 80 degrees, they are likely sweating through their pajamas and onto their sheets. When the sheets are wet, you can be even more uncomfortable!
68 - 72 degrees Fahrenheit:
This is the ideal room temperature for a sleeping baby. On the lower end of this temperature, we would suggest a footed sleeper or perhaps a onesie paired with socks.
Most pediatricians recommend that you keep your baby's room between 68 to 72 degrees.