How to cool down baby room

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Hey there fellow parent! As we all know, keeping our little ones comfortable and safe is always at the top of our list of priorities. And one of the most important things to consider when it comes to their comfort is the temperature of their room. Whether it’s the middle of summer or a milder season, it can be a real challenge to keep a baby’s room cool and comfortable. And as a parent who has been there, I know that it can be overwhelming trying to figure out the best ways to do it.

That’s why I wanted to share some of my personal research and experience with you. In this article, I’ll be providing practical tips and advice on how to cool down your baby’s room, offering both free and costed options for you to consider. So whether you’re a new parent or a veteran, I hope you’ll find this information helpful.

Why does a hot room cause poor sleep?

As parents, we all know how crucial sleep is for our babies’ growth and development. And as any parent who has dealt with a hot and stuffy baby room can attest, a room that’s too warm can cause anxiety and make it difficult for both parents and babies to get the rest they need. “We know that cooler temperatures support deep sleep,” says Christine Blume (via Wired), a sleep scientist at the University of Basel in Switzerland. The downside of hot summer days are hot summer nights. When the temperature doesn’t drop below 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit) at night—as is currently the case in many parts of Europe and North America—we become restless. We toss and turn in bed for hours, find it difficult to fall asleep, and feel groggy the next day. And it’s not just adults that are affected, babies are even more susceptible to the effects of a hot room on sleep.

Research has shown that the ideal bedroom temperature for adults is between 15 and 19 degrees Celsius (59 and 66 degrees Fahrenheit), and the body has to work harder to regulate its own temperature when this isn’t achieved. And if the room temperature doesn’t fall sufficiently after a hot day, then our ability to regulate our body temperature is impaired. Not only do we then have trouble falling asleep, but the hot air can interrupt our sleep stages too.

As parents, we know that a good night’s sleep is vital for our babies’ physical and emotional well-being. And keeping the baby’s room cool is one of the most important things we can do to ensure they get the rest they need. So, in this article, we’ll be discussing ways to cool down a baby’s room, providing practical tips and advice that will help you create a comfortable and safe environment for your little one.

Let’s start with free options

Non-cost ways to cool down a baby room

1. Proper Ventilation: One of the most important things you can do to cool down a baby’s room is to ensure proper ventilation. This can be achieved by opening windows and using fans to circulate fresh air. Make sure to keep windows open during the cooler parts of the day, such as early morning and evening, and close them when the heat outside is higher than the heat inside.
2. Natural Materials: Another way to keep a baby’s room cool is to use natural materials for bedding and clothing. Cotton and linen are breathable fabrics that will help to keep your baby cool and comfortable. Avoid synthetic materials that can trap heat and make the room feel stuffy.
3. Keep the Room Dark: During the day, the sun can cause a room to heat up quickly. To keep a baby’s room cool, it’s important to keep it as dark as possible. Use curtains or blinds to block out sunlight, and keep the windows open for a good combination of darkness and fresh air
4. Dress the baby in light and breathable clothes, even just a nappy can be useful in a hot weather.
5. Hydration: keeping the baby well hydrated is important to help them regulate their body temperature. Offer the baby sips of water or breast milk frequently especially in hot weather.

By following these simple tips, you can help to keep your baby’s room cool and comfortable, without breaking the bank. Remember that keeping a baby’s room cool is crucial for their health and well-being, so take the time to make sure the room is as comfortable as possible. It is also just as important that they get some sleep, as we know ourselves a baby who doesn’t nap can get seriously grumpy.

Related – 29 degrees in baby room

Costed options to cool down a baby room

The above free options should still be used even with a costed option. Costed options just make it easier but they have the initial cost and then the cost of energy itself, which is not ideal during the current cost of living crisis and energy bills going up.

However, they are extremely effective. What we did in the 2022 heatwave was hire an air conditioning machine from HSS for one week which took us through. It was noisy as anything but it DID work. It was around £70 which is a lot for a week but to own one would be £400.

Air conditioning units are a popular option for cooling down a baby’s room. They work by removing heat and humidity from the air, leaving the room feeling cool and comfortable. There are a variety of types of air conditioning units available, including window units and portable units.

Window units are installed in a window and are designed to cool a single room. They can be more energy efficient than portable units and are a good option for a permanent cooling solution. However, they can be expensive to install and may not be suitable for older homes with non-standard windows.

Portable air conditioners are a more flexible option as they can be easily moved from room to room. They work by drawing in warm air, removing the heat and humidity, and blowing out cool air. They are a good option for those who cannot install window units or prefer a more portable solution. However, they can be less energy efficient and can be loud when in operation.

Another costed option to cool down a room is to use air coolers. They work by using water and air to cool the room. They are energy efficient and cost-effective, but they need to be refilled with water occasionally. They also need to be placed near a window or a vent to exhaust the hot air.

It’s important to note that with any of these costed options, it’s essential to maintain and clean the units to ensure they are running efficiently. This includes regularly changing or cleaning the filters, and keeping the unit free of dust and debris. Here’s an article on the risks of a dirty air con.

In conclusion, there are a variety of costed options available for parents to cool down a baby’s room, including air conditioning units and portable air coolers. Each option has its own pros and cons, so it’s important to consider your individual needs and budget before making a decision. By maintaining and cleaning the units, you can ensure they are running efficiently and providing a comfortable environment for your baby.

Can a fan help cool down the room?

You may have noted the absence of a fan from either list at the top, that’s because they aren’t great and can be useless in a heatwave or a room that is already too hot. A simple fan can be effective at cooling a baby’s room, as it can help circulate cool air and create a breeze. However, it is important to note that a fan alone will not lower the temperature of a room, it can only help to distribute the cool air that is already present.

A fan only makes the area where the breeze is feel cooler but it is not actually any cooler in the room as a whole.

It is not recommended to point a fan directly at the baby, as the strong breeze can be uncomfortable for them and can cause skin irritation. It is best to keep the fan at a moderate speed and direct it towards a window or door to help circulate the air in the room.

Additionally, it is also important to note that a fan can also dry out the air, which can be detrimental to babies and cause dry skin. So, you may want to place a bowl of water near the fan to keep the room moist. It is also important to monitor the room temperature and humidity to make sure it’s comfortable for the baby.

Are air conditioning units safe with a baby?

Air conditioning units are safe for babies, as long as certain precautions are taken. According to Dr. Saroja Balan, it is safer to use a cooler or an air conditioner (AC) with a newborn than to let them stay in a hot, airless and humid environment. It is important to maintain a comfortable room temperature between 23 and 26 degrees C and to keep the baby away from the direct blast of cold air from the AC or cooler. Dressing the baby in light layers that cover their arms and legs and keeping them moisturized can also help. It is also important to get the AC or cooler regularly serviced for clean and efficient cooling and to avoid taking the baby to a warm place immediately after leaving an air-conditioned room.

Conclusion

In conclusion, keeping a baby’s room cool, especially if we are going to keep seeing heatwaves, is crucial for their health and well-being. There are a variety of options available for UK parents, from free methods such as proper ventilation and using natural materials, to costed options like air conditioning units and portable air coolers. It’s important to consider your individual needs and budget before making a decision. It’s also important to maintain and clean the units to ensure they are running efficiently and providing a comfortable environment for your baby. When we hired one, HSS had not pre-cleaned and it was quite frankly disgusting.

It’s important to note that air conditioning units are safe for babies as long as certain precautions are taken, such as maintaining a comfortable room temperature, keeping the baby away from the direct blast of cold air and keeping the baby hydrated. A simple fan can also be effective at cooling a baby’s room, but it’s important to not point it directly at the baby and monitor the room temperature and humidity.

It’s important to keep in mind that a cool and comfortable environment can help your baby sleep better, and reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). As a parent, ensuring the well-being of your baby is of the utmost importance, and by implementing these tips, you can rest easy knowing you’re providing a safe and comfortable environment for your little one.