Babies feel heat more than adults do and can't tell you when they're too hot, so a heatwave needs you to manage their comfort for them. Here's how to keep a baby cool and safe through a hot German summer.
Keep the nursery cool
A baby's room should be the coolest, calmest space in the home. Shade the windows from outside during the day, keep the room closed against the hot outdoor air, and ventilate it at night when the air drops (see our daytime cooling guide). A consistently cool nursery does most of the work — it's far better to keep the room from heating up than to try to cool a baking room with a hot baby in it.
Safe airflow only
Moving air helps a nursery feel cooler, but safety leads. Use a bladeless fan or a fan placed well out of reach, set to a low, oscillating speed that circulates air gently around the room rather than blowing directly on the baby. A direct draught can be too strong and drying. Keep the fan and its cable away from the cot. An air cooler or AC cooling the room benefits the baby without any airflow aimed at them.
Dress for the temperature
Overdressing is a common cause of an overheated baby. In hot weather, dress them lightly — fewer, thinner layers of breathable cotton — appropriate to the room temperature, and skip heavy sleeping bags or extra blankets on hot nights. A good rule is to dress the baby similarly to how you'd be comfortable, then check their temperature directly.
Keep them hydrated
Hydration matters in heat. For infants, offer more frequent feeds; older babies may need extra fluids as advised by your healthcare provider. A well-hydrated baby copes far better with warmth. If you're unsure how much your baby needs in a heatwave, ask your doctor or health visitor.
Check on them often
Because babies can't regulate their temperature or communicate discomfort well, check on them frequently during a heatwave. Feel the chest or the back of the neck — not the hands or feet, which are normally cooler — to judge if they're too warm. A hot, sweaty chest means it's time to cool them down and lighten their clothing.
Know the warning signs
Watch for signs a baby is too hot:
- Flushed, hot, or sweaty skin (especially chest or neck)
- Rapid breathing or a fast pulse
- Restlessness, or unusual drowsiness and difficulty waking
- Refusing feeds
Cool the baby down, offer fluids, and contact a doctor if you're worried — urgently for severe signs like difficulty waking.
The takeaway
Keep a baby cool with a shaded, ventilated nursery, safe gentle airflow, light clothing, and good hydration, and check on them often. Prevention and frequent checks beat reacting to an overheated baby. To keep the nursery cool safely, check what's in stock near you.
This is general guidance, not medical advice. If you're concerned about an overheated baby, contact a doctor or health professional promptly.