Swaddling is one of the most effective tools for helping newborns settle and sleep. They have been cooped up in the womb for nine months and swaddling helps to replicate this snug environment and also support the moro (startle) reflex. Most newborns will struggle to sleep if they are not swaddled and quickly become both hot and over-tired without effective swaddling.

But when the weather warms up, many parents worry if swaddling will make baby too hot. It's a valid concern because overheating is one of the factors which can contribute to SIDS deaths, so it is very important to take the temperature of your baby seriously.

The key point is that it’s not swaddling alone that causes overheating. It’s the combination of clothing, weight of the swaddle fabric, wrap technique, bedding and room temperature. So if you can address all those factors, you can safely swaddle in summer and still maintain it's benefits.

1. Check the room temperature

- Aim for a nursery temperature of around 18-20 °C, which is recommended by the World Health Organisation. It can be hard to keep a room cool, so here's some helpful tips on keeping baby's Nursery cool in summer

- Use a fan or open a window if the day has been warm and avoid direct sunlight on the cot. If your baby is still in a moses basket or portable bassinet, consider moving it to the coolest room in the house for baby's day sleeps.

- Use a room thermometer (such as a Gro Egg) so you can see when the room is warm and adjust layers accordingly. Many of the fitted style swaddles come with a basic room thermometer that you can use as a guide.

2. Choose light, natural fibres

- Use 100% natural fibres (cotton or lightweight merino) for clothing inside the swaddle. A cotton pointelle fabric is ideal for summer day sleeps and a light Merino layer can work at night. Merino can absorb up to 30% of it's weight in water without feeling clammy, so if it's a light style Merino, it can still be a good summer option.

- Avoid synthetic fabrics (polyester, fleece, synthetic lining), they don’t breathe well and increase overheating risk.

3. Select the right wrap or fitted swaddle

- Traditional square Muslin wraps are ideal for hot days. Their open weave is light and breathable, but they do require a certain level of swaddling skill and may not be secure enough for wriggly babies. Make sure you choose the right size; 100cm x 100cm square is ideal for a newborn or 120cm x 120cm for an 8 week old baby.

- Fitted swaddles (such as ergoPouch or Embe) can be more secure and assist with keeping baby cooler because they aren't constantly wriggling out of the swaddle (which leads to more heat).

- Choose a fabric weight appropriate for the room temperature. If the nursery is hot (above 24 °C), use a very light weight swaddle (e.g. 0.2 or 0.5 tog swaddle) and then either add another clothing layer or switch to a slightly heavier weight when the temperature dips.

4. How to dress baby inside the swaddle

- On very hot days: a short-sleeve bodysuit or even just a nappy may be enough. Many swaddles come with a handy temperature and clothing guide which may help you decide what is appropriate based on the room temperature and fabric weight of the swaddle.

- Never add a hat while swaddled — this is especially important in warm weather.

- Always check baby’s skin at their chest or back of their neck/ears. If they’re red and sweaty, they’re too hot; if they’re cool to the touch and comfortable, you’re on the right track.

5. Bedding and layering

- If you're using a fitted swaddle, there's no need to add any bedding over top. However, if you find the temperature dropping at night, you can use a light blanket or sheet over top. Never use a thick, heavy blanket. Tuck it in firmly and ensure it's no higher than armpit level.

- Always remember, it's the total amount of layers (clothing & swaddle and bedding) that matters more than just one layer alone.

There are a range of features to look out for when choosing the right swaddle for your baby and your skills.  

Things to consider:

- Startle reflex: if your baby startles easily, you’ll want better startle control. Fitted swaddles usually provide better startle control than a muslin or stretchy wrap and the Miracle Blanket at Embe swaddles offering the highest level of startle control. Ergopouch & Love to Dream give a little more movement.

- “Houdini” baby: if your baby wriggles out of traditional muslin or merino wraps, a more secure fitted swaddle may be necessary. You can also trouble shoot your swaddling technique with our how to guides below.

- Arms in vs arms up: some babies sleep best with arms down; others prefer arms up, others with their arms on their chest.

- Legs in vs legs out: on hot days, legs-out options such as the Embe or Miracle Blanket that allow legs to be free can help keep baby cooler. You can also leave legs when using a traditional muslin wrap.

- Age of your baby/Transitional needs: If your baby is a little older, you may wish to choose a transitional style swaddle, because once your baby shows signs of rolling, you need to transition to a sleeping bag. The Sleep Store Swaddle Bag, Ergopouch or Love to Dream are all popular options.

- Fitted style vs square wrap : If you want a swaddle that's simple and easy to wrap with, one of the fitted zip up styles is best. But if you've had a few demo's and are confident in your skills, the traditional square wraps can still work well.