Many new parents make the mistake of trying to keep a baby too warm. The fact is, babies don’t need tropical conditions in the nursery; research has revealed they are more comfortable and safer if you set the thermostat the same as for anyone else, between 68-72 degrees. If that seems too cool to you, read on and you will understand why it’s better not to raise the nursery temperature too high.

Optimum Temperature

Research shows that the optimum temperature range to promote sleep for a baby is in the 65-70 degree range. It’s a good idea to have a thermometer in baby’s room so you can monitor the temperature, not letting it get too hot or too cold. It it seems too warm, crack a window open or turn on a fan, but do avoid keeping the baby in a draft.

Above all, don’t subscribe to the common misconception that a baby has to be as warm as it was in the womb. Actually, a too-hot room can increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in babies from one to 12 months old. This condition occurs when babies can’t wake up when something goes wrong with their physiology. A sleeping baby that is overheated may remain unconscious rather than stirring awake, so that it’s unable to cry out an alarm. If a parent fails to check on the baby and wake it up, the harm may have already been done.

Temperature Tips for the Baby

• Use light bedding; dress the baby seasonally. Avoid heavy comforters, which can overheat or suffocate the baby. Dressing the baby in a sleep sack over pajamas is ideal. Don’t put a hat on the baby at night, as this can cause overheating.
• If the baby’s room needs a space heater, position it so the airflow isn’t trained on the baby. Likewise, position a crib away from supply registers so conditioned or heated air isn’t blowing directly on the baby.

To learn more about the optimum nursery temperature, contact Powers Heating and Air, serving Peachtree City and the surrounding area.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Peachtree City, Georgia and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 770-487-2040.