What should baby wear to sleep at 20–23°C (68–73°F)?

What to dress your baby in to sleep at 20–23°C

20°C is the top of the NHS's ideal range of about 16–20°C for baby sleep, and 21–23°C is a little warmer than ideal. It is common in centrally heated homes, flats and summer bedrooms.

Overheating can increase the risk of SIDS (NHS), so in this band lean lighter rather than warmer. A 1.0 TOG sleeping bag is the usual choice, with a cotton sleepsuit or long-sleeved vest at 20–21°C and a short-sleeved vest at 22–23°C.

At 21°C, a cotton sleepsuit or long-sleeved vest under a 1.0 TOG sleeping bag is the common answer.

• Nappy
• Cotton sleepsuit or long-sleeved vest
• 1.0 TOG sleeping bag
• No hat and no extra blankets

Safe sleep at 20–23°C

If you can, bring the room nearer 20°C. Turn the radiator down, close blinds or curtains during the day in summer, and open a window or the door a little before bed. If you use a fan, the NHS advises not to aim it directly at your baby. Trust the room thermometer, not how the house feels to you.

• Put your baby on their back for every sleep, with their feet at the foot of the cot.
• Use a firm, flat mattress, with no pillows, bumpers, pods, nests or soft toys.
• No loose blankets or duvets. A well-fitting baby sleeping bag is the simplest option.
• No hat or head covering indoors, and nothing that could cover their face.
• Never use a weighted sleeping bag, weighted swaddle or weighted blanket.
• For at least the first 6 months, keep the cot in your room, for naps as well as nights.

Which TOG sleeping bag for 20–23°C?

Most sleeping bag charts suggest about 1.0 TOG in this range, but check your maker's chart. A 2.5 TOG bag is likely to be too warm above 20°C, so a lighter bag is worth having if your home is often this warm.

These TOG ratings are TinyLayers starting points, not NHS or AAP rules. Your sleeping bag maker's chart and your baby's own temperature come first.

How to check your baby is not too hot or cold at night

Feel the back of your baby's neck, their chest or their tummy. Warm and dry means they are dressed right. Sweaty or hot means take off a layer of clothing or bedding. Cool hands and feet on their own are normal, so do not add layers just because fingers or toes feel cold.

In this range, babies are more likely to get too warm than too cold. Check the back of the neck or tummy when you go to bed. Sweaty hair or a hot tummy means take a layer off, for example swapping the sleepsuit for a short-sleeved vest.

Newborns and swaddling at 20–23°C

Young babies struggle to keep their body temperature steady (NHS). In a warm room, keep a newborn's layers light and check them more often, rather than adding layers to be safe.

A swaddle counts as a layer and adds warmth, so use a thin one in this range. The AAP advises stopping swaddling as soon as your baby looks like they are trying to roll over.

This is general dressing guidance, not medical advice. If you are worried your baby is unwell, call NHS 111 or your GP. In an emergency, call 999 or your local emergency number.