Midwife urges parents against 'nappy only' sleep in heatwave - 'it's a mistake'

Midwife urges parents against 'nappy only' sleep in heatwave - 'it's a mistake' A registered midwife has shared a common mistake parents make when it comes to their baby's sleep during a heatwave - and it's something you should avoid When temperatures soar, it can be tricky to know exactly what to dress your baby in at bedtime to make sure they stay comfortable throughout the night. Getting the balance right is no easy task – too many layers and they could overheat, but too few and they may not be warm enough. Now, a registered midwife is warning parents to avoid making one common mistake when it comes to their child or baby's sleep during periods of hot weather. The ideal room temperature for a sleeping baby is between 16–20°C, and organisations such as The Lullaby Trust recommend maintaining the nursery within this range to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. However, as temperatures climb, it can prove difficult to keep bedrooms cool – meaning parents must improvise by removing layers of clothing from their children, reducing the number of blankets or even lowering the tog of a sleeping bag. Registered midwife Lily Foggan is now warning parents to stop making one mistake when it comes to dressing their children for sleep during a heatwave. Lily said: "In hot weather, babies obviously need fewer layers than normal. Lightweight sleepwear and lower-tog sleep bags are usually preferable to blankets, which can be kicked off or accidentally cover a baby's face. "However, a common mistake I see is parents leaving their baby in a nappy overnight, with nothing else, in fear of them getting too hot. "Remember, usually we're sleeping with a duvet and pyjamas, so they will need something similar." She added: "Check their chest or the back of their neck for a more accurate indication of temperature, or can also check their temperature. "The Tommee Tippee No Touch Digital Thermometer is great at eliminating the risk of waking them up, which no one wants, especially during a heatwave." How to keep a baby cool during a heatwave According to The Lullaby Trust, there are several ways parents can help their little ones stay cool while sleeping through a heatwave. Methods include: - Use lighter bedding and clothing, with fewer layers. - Open the bedroom door and a window, if it’s safe to do so, to allow the air to flow. - Check baby sleep bag guidance for which tog to use for each season. - Use a fan to cool the room, but don’t aim it directly towards the baby. - Keep curtains closed in the daytime so the room doesn’t heat up as much. - Use a thermometer to check the room is the right temperature – as it’s hard to guess.