Sleeping Through a Warm Summer Night
The greatest benefits come from the hours before bedtime, not from the night itself.
When it's hot, it's harder to fall asleep and even harder to stay asleep. The biggest benefit comes from the hours before bedtime, not during the night itself.
Keep the room cool during the day
Keep the curtains and windows closed as long as the sun is shining on them, and open them as soon as it's cooler outside than inside. A room that gets hot during the day will hardly cool down at all at night.
Fewer layers, no blankets
A thin onesie or just a diaper is enough when it's hot. You definitely don't want loose blankets that can slide up. Check the temperature at the back of the neck; hands and feet are almost always cooler.
Ventilation Without Drafts
A fan that circulates air throughout the room rather than blowing directly onto the crib works better and helps prevent the baby from catching a cold. Placing a damp cloth in the path of the airflow provides additional cooling.
Does your child sleep outdoors or at a campground? If so, read " Camping with a Baby " and " Sleeping Safely on the Go."
