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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To worry about newborn DS in a hot bedroom?

45 replies

Username987777 · 27/05/2018 23:05

I have a 4 week old DS and this weather is really making me worry about keeping him cool at night. The recommended sleeping temp is 20-22 degrees but it’s currently 30 degrees in every room in our house. He sleeps in a crib next to my bed but I have to keep the bedroom door shut to keep the dogs out (our house is open plan and the only way to keep them away from DS while he’s sleeping is to shut the bedroom door). Not usually a problem but the last few days have been so hot and muggy that the bedroom feels like a sauna. I’ve opened windows but we live on a busy main road so the traffic noise is constantly waking him. I’m so worried about him overheating but DP says he’ll be fine. AIBU to worry so much? What do others do during the hot summer months to avoid babies overheating? I’ve got a fan on (but not pointing at DS) and I’ve tried hanging up a wet towel but that just made the air feel damp.

OP posts:

Atthebottomofthesea · 28/05/2018 09:34

My eldest was a baby in a very hot summer. I just had to dress her accordingly, so often was in just a vest or even just a nappy. I remember being worried about it but as I couldn't control the temperature I had to look at other ways.

GreenTulips · 28/05/2018 09:39

Sorry but the hot countries build houses with verandas etc to keep the heat off the house. It's not the same here where we don't get the high temperatures very often

lapenguin · 28/05/2018 09:40

Stairgate for the dogs, open the bedroom door and the windows and any windows near by as it will create a breeze, even if open only a little. Fan with bowl of ice in front and as pp said if you have a loft hatch then open it

lapenguin · 28/05/2018 09:40

Also dress baby in a nappy and if really needed a light muslin

0lgaDaPolga · 28/05/2018 09:41

Try not to panic. You are doing everything you can. I was in the same position last year with my newborn and the house was 29 degrees. The midwife scared the life out of me and told me I was putting him at risk of sids which was awful as there was literally nothing I could do to cool it down. Like previous posters have said babies survive in much hotter climates. Keep him in a nappy with a Muslin over his legs if needed. Fan is a great way to keep the air flowing in the room. Try putting a bowl of ice in front of it. If you’ve got a loft hatch leave that open as the hot air will rise out of it. Just keep an eye on the baby. If he’s too hot he will feel sweaty. I’m sure he will be fine.

Smurf123 · 28/05/2018 09:48

Our room is currently getting to about 22 degrees - ideal sleeping temp 18.
Ds is 12 weeks and currently sleeps in a loose shorty romper type thing or short sleeve vest and a Muslin cloth as his blanket (he very promptly kicks this off mind you!)
Ds is a hot baby also though. We had to stop using the summer gro bags a couple of weeks ago as he wasn't sleeping - eventually worked out he was getting a little warm and then frustrated because he couldn't kick them off!
We also have tin foil covering the bedroom window - was done to keep the 4am sunlight out but also seems to have helped with the heat as living room sits at roughly 24/25 degrees (ground floor apartment so rooms are next to each other)
Other countries do it different and their babies are more acclimatised to it in hot countries I think.

LouHotel · 28/05/2018 09:55

Don't panic, my DD was 4 weeks at the height of heat wave two years ago.

First you can work to keep the temperture down in the day.

Heat rises so open the article loft hatch so it can escape into the attic
Keep all Windows open but with the curtains closed
Turn the fan on an hour before bedtime with a bowl of ice water underneath.

I had the fan on my baby but from 2 metres away.

Dress in nappy and t shirt if really hot, you can always out a muslin cloth over his/her legs if they need to be tucked in.

MiggeldyHiggins · 28/05/2018 10:02

That is way too hot!! That is very scary

Don't be ridiculous. How do you think the billions of babies born in hot countries have ever survived infancy?

donajimena · 28/05/2018 10:07

My son was born in a heatwave. He just slept in a nappy for four weeks. A tower fan might help. He's a strapping 15 year old now.

mirime · 28/05/2018 10:10

Agree with the bowl of ice/frozen bottle of water in front of the fan, that's what I did and it did help.

Easier said than done, but try not to worry too much.

Tawdrylocalbrouhaha · 28/05/2018 14:55

Would it be worth sleeping downstairs while it's warm?

I have a friend who lives in Sydney with no air conditioning - she moved her daughter downstairs when it was 40 outside. Her husband also hosed down the outside of the house to reduce the heat (not sure if that is a real strategy or just the heat adding his brain).

Aria2015 · 28/05/2018 14:58

We got an air con unit for our newborn, it kept the room cool and acted as white noise - double win!!

Strokethefurrywall · 28/05/2018 15:07

I live in the Carribean, had both my babies here.

We just put them in a pamper and then swaddled, stuck the fan on. Grand.

SoyDora · 28/05/2018 15:08

That is way too hot!! That is very scary

It is not ‘very scary’. It just needs managing as best you can.

DD2 was born in July 3 years ago. Her first night at home it was 37 degrees in our bedroom (no one had been in to keep air circulating/put the fan on etc). She just went to bed in a nappy!
I’d recommend a stair gate for the dogs. Otherwise keep the fan on as much as possible and dress the baby very lightly.

etsiketsi · 28/05/2018 15:20

Hi. I remember worrying in hot weather when my son was born. As others have said a big frozen bottle of water in front of a fan does wonders. I had a few in the freezer and kept swapping them. Worked a treat.

eileandonan · 28/05/2018 15:20

We are in London too and it is very hot. I used muslin sleeping bags when they were small. Used them abroad too. As for your dogs your priority is your baby not your dogs, if there not leaving your baby to sleep and your having to shut your baby in a hot room get them a cage or use a stair gate.

Peanutbuttercups21 · 28/05/2018 15:22

Hey, don't worry, my babies were born in tropical countries (it happens, you know lots of babies are) and they were fine

IMO a simple fan is best

And make sure baby drinks plenty

mmgirish · 28/05/2018 15:30

My babies were both born in tropical climates. Buy a fan.

Semster · 28/05/2018 17:56

Sorry but the hot countries build houses with verandas etc to keep the heat off the house. It's not the same here where we don't get the high temperatures very often

Oh I wish!

MiggeldyHiggins · 28/05/2018 18:22

Sorry but the hot countries build houses with verandas etc to keep the heat off the house. It's not the same here where we don't get the high temperatures very often

except where people are in countries that get hot in tiny apartments in high rise blocks, or shanty towns, or shacks, or tiny terraces..... do you seriously think everyone in hot countries has a big cool house with a veranda?!

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