3 Tips to Keep Baby’s Room Cool for Sleep

“It’s getting hot in here, so take off…”

So, now that I have your attention with a early 2000’s pop song (LOL), let’s talk about how to keep your baby’s room cool during the hot summer months!

Babies, like adults, sleep better in a cooler, darker room. They will have an easier time falling asleep and staying asleep throughout the night.

Why? Around 12 weeks old, your baby’s body begins regulating their temperature at night, just like older humans do. Their circadian rhythm, also known as the body clock, lowers their core body temperature by as much as 2 degrees during the night. This promotes their little brains to release melatonin, the sleepy hormone, which encourages sleep. You do not want a warm sleep environment to work against this natural process! 

What temperature is best? Ideally your child’s room is between 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit (20 to 22 degrees Celsius) during the summer months.

Here are 3 tips to keep your child’s room cool during hot weather:

 1. Invest in blackout curtains or blinds, and keep them closed during the peak sun and heat of the day. You can open up the windows during the coolest time of the day, typically early morning, to allow fresh air to circulate. Then keep the blinds closed for the remainder of the day to keep the cool air in.  

2. Place a ceiling fan or a portable fan in the room to circulate the air. This creates a cooling effect by moving the air around and making it feel more comfortable. During summer months, your ceiling fan blades should be set to spin counter-clockwise. When your ceiling fan spins quickly in this direction, it pushes air down and creates a cool breeze. If using a portable fan, I recommend you angle it away from your baby and crib, so it does not blow directly on your little one.

 3. Staying at a cottage with no A/C? Place a shallow pan or bowl (a roasting pan works well) full of ice in front of the fan. The breeze picks up the cold water from the ice’s surface as it melts, creating a cooling mist!

Did you find this helpful? Follow Cara Myre Sleep on Instagram and Facebook for more tips and tricks on baby sleep!