The ideal temperature in a baby's room during a heatwave is between 16 and 20 degrees Celsius, with 18 degrees being a comfortable average. Keep the room darkened during the day, ventilate in the morning and evening when it is cooler outside, and ensure a gentle airflow in the room without cooling the baby directly with a fan or air cooler.
Why babies are more sensitive to heat than adults
Babies cannot regulate their body temperature as well as adults because their sweat glands are less developed and they have a relatively larger body surface area in proportion to their weight. As a result, they overheat more quickly during a heatwave and overheating is a real concern, especially during sleep when you are not constantly keeping an eye on them. Signs such as a flushed face, rapid breathing, or a damp neck are indicators that the room is too warm.
Darkening and ventilating at the right time
Sunlight entering through the window during the day heats up a room faster than you can compensate for with cooling alone. Blackout curtains or blinds keep most of the heat out, while early in the morning and late in the evening, when the outside air is cooler, you should open the windows wide to let the accumulated heat flow out. During the day, when the outside temperature is higher than inside, it is better to keep the windows closed, even if it feels counterintuitive.
Air circulation without cooling the baby directly
Airflow that allows the warm air in the room to circulate helps noticeably, but never point a fan directly at a baby in their crib. It is better to place a fan or air cooler at an angle in the corner of the room, directed toward the ceiling or the wall, so that the air rotates in the room without blowing a cold draft directly onto the child. An air cooler has the advantage of slightly humidifying and cooling the air via water evaporation, which feels more comfortable in a dry heatwave than the chilly, direct airflow of a fan.
What the baby wears and sleeps on during warm nights
Choose a thin cotton sleeping bag or let the baby sleep in a light romper without an extra blanket, and use a fitted sheet made of breathable cotton instead of synthetic fabrics. A room thermometer at the eye level of the crib provides a more reliable reading of the temperature than a thermometer hanging elsewhere in the house, as heat is not evenly distributed everywhere in a room. When in doubt, always feel the baby's neck or back, not their hands or feet, which often feel cooler by nature.
When extra cooling is truly necessary
If the temperature in the room rises above 24 to 25 degrees despite darkening and ventilating, extra cooling with an air cooler or fan on a low, indirect setting is a sensible addition. Preferably turn the device on an hour before the baby goes to sleep so that the room is already pre-cooled and the device can run at a low, quiet setting at night. Avoid air conditioning that cools the room too much or dries it out, as a room that is too cold and dry can irritate a baby's airways.
Quick answer: Keep the baby's room between 16 and 20 degrees, keep it dark during the day, ventilate early in the morning and late at night, and use a fan or air cooler indirectly, never pointed directly at the baby. Dress the baby lightly and check the temperature via the neck instead of the hands or feet.
Featured: the Dynter SM211 air cooler
The Dynter SM211 air cooler cools the air via water evaporation, which provides a softer and less dry cooling effect than a regular fan, making it ideal for indirect use in a nursery.
How it works: cooling via water evaporation with ice cubes or cold water.
Size: compact and mobile, easy to move between rooms.
Noise: quiet settings suitable for use while sleeping.
Availability: also available in the color grey.
| Situation | Recommended device | Placement |
|---|---|---|
| Dry heatwave, room warmer than 25 degrees | Air cooler SM211 | Indirect, angled toward wall or ceiling |
| Mild heat, mainly need air circulation | Fan AV25-G on low setting | At a distance from the crib, not directed at it |
Do you want your baby's room to be prepared for the next heatwave? Check out the Dynter SM211 air cooler or discover the full collection of air coolers and fans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should a fan be pointed directly at a baby?
No, that is not recommended. Direct the airflow indirectly, for example toward the wall or the ceiling, so that the air in the room circulates without cooling the baby directly and for a prolonged period.
Is air conditioning safe for a baby's room?
Air conditioning can be safe as long as the temperature is not set too low and the airflow is not directed at the baby. Gradual, mild cooling to around 18 degrees is more comfortable than a strongly cooled, dry room.
How do I know if it is too hot for my baby?
Feel the baby's neck or torso, which will feel warm and slightly damp if they are too hot. Rapid breathing, a flushed face, or restless sleep are also signs that the room is too warm.
Does an air cooler help if it is very humid outside?
In very high humidity, an air cooler is less effective because water evaporation is more difficult. In that case, extra ventilation or a light fan is often more pleasant than increasing the moisture level even further.
At what age is a baby most sensitive to heat?
Babies are extra sensitive to heat, especially in the first few months when the body is still learning to regulate temperature on its own. This improves gradually as the child grows older, but remaining attentive during a heatwave is always wise.
Should I keep a window open at night during a heatwave?
Only if the outside temperature is actually lower than the inside temperature at that moment, which is usually the case at night and early in the morning. During the day, when it is warmer outside than inside, it is better to keep the windows closed with the curtains drawn.