Newborn (0–3 months)

Target: 68–72°F (20–22°C). Newborns can’t regulate their body temperature well. Room-share (bassinet next to your bed), dress the baby in a cotton onesie plus a 1.0–2.5 TOG sleep sack depending on room temp, and skip hats indoors after the first few hours of life (heat loss from the head is a real overheating mechanism).

Infant (3–12 months)

Target: 68–72°F (20–22°C). By 3 months, babies sweat more effectively and can tolerate a slightly wider range, but the AAP-recommended range doesn’t change. Continue with sleep sacks — never loose blankets — until age 12 months.

Toddler (12–24 months)

Target: 65–72°F (18–22°C). Toddlers regulate temperature much better. Sleep sacks are still safer than loose blankets. Some families transition to a lightweight blanket around 18 months once the child can safely move it off their face.

Target: 65–72°F (18–22°C). Blankets, pillows, and a normal bedding setup are safe. Watch for overheating in summer.

Signs of overheating Sweating, damp hair, damp back of the neck. Flushed cheeks or chest. Rapid breathing. Restlessness or unusual fussing. Skin that feels hot to the touch. Signs of being too cold Chest, neck, or tummy that feels cool. Pale or mottled skin. Fussy waking that a feed and warmer layer resolves. How to actually control the temperature Buy a room thermometer. $10-15. Wall-mounted, at roughly crib height, away from vents and windows. Use a fan. A ceiling fan in the nursery is independently associated with reduced SIDS risk in one large observational study. It also helps in summer when the AC can’t get the room below 74°F. Blackout curtains keep summer sun (and heat) out of the room during naps. Close vents in unused rooms to push more airflow to the nursery. Avoid space heaters in the nursery unless they have automatic shutoff and are placed well away from anything flammable and out of reach. Skip the humidifier for temperature control. Humidifiers are for dry air (winter, croup), not warmth. Seasonal and situational guidance Summer / heatwave

If you can’t get the room below 75°F, strip the baby down to just a diaper and a 0.2-0.5 TOG muslin sack. Run a fan for airflow. Move the baby to the coolest room in the house if needed — many families temporarily bassinet-share the parent bedroom during heatwaves.

Winter / drafty houses

Layer up on the baby, not the crib. Long-sleeve cotton sleeper + 2.5 TOG sack is safe down to about 60°F. Keep the crib away from exterior walls and windows.

What is the ideal room temperature for a baby?

The American Academy of Pediatrics and pediatric sleep experts recommend a nursery temperature between 68 and 72°F (20-22°C). This range reduces the risk of overheating — a known contributor to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) — while keeping the baby comfortable enough to sleep well.

Is 74 degrees too hot for a baby’s room?

74°F (23°C) is at the upper edge of what’s considered safe. Many babies will be fine at that temperature dressed in just a diaper and a lightweight sleep sack (0.5 TOG), but you should check the back of the neck or chest for sweating and dress the baby lighter than you would yourself.

What temperature is too cold for a baby’s room?

Anything below about 65°F (18°C) is on the cool side. Babies can still sleep safely at 65°F in a warmer sleep sack (2.5 TOG) and long-sleeved sleeper, but pediatricians generally don’t recommend routinely letting the nursery drop below 65°F. Never use blankets — dress warmer instead.

How do I know if my baby is too hot?

Check the back of the neck, chest, or tummy — not hands and feet, which are normally cooler. Warning signs of overheating include sweating, damp hair, flushed cheeks, rapid breathing, restlessness, or a body that feels hot to the touch. If you see these, remove a layer, lower the room temperature, and offer fluids.

Do I need a thermometer in the nursery?

Yes — a simple, inexpensive room thermometer (or a smart baby monitor with a temperature sensor) is the only way to know for sure. Wall-mounted analog thermometers are cheap, accurate, and reliable. Place it at roughly crib height, away from vents and direct sunlight.