How heat affects your baby’s sleep Pattern

4 causes and solutions

Are you struggling with restless nights during these warm days? You’re not alone! Just like adults, heat can significantly disrupt a baby’s sleep. In this blog, we explain why high temperatures affect your little one’s rhythm and provide practical tips to help your baby sleep better. 

The main cause of sleep problems on hot days is, of course, the temperature. Heat plays a role, but also the fact that babies are not yet able to regulate their body temperature effectively. Since your little one cannot efficiently release excess body heat, they can easily become overheated. This can lead to difficulties falling asleep and waking up more often, disrupting their sleep pattern.

How to solve it

There are several ways to help your baby regulate their temperature. Think of a cool bedroom and a refreshing lukewarm bath. Want to know more? In our blog about sleep tips during heat, you’ll find all the details and discover two additional insights that will help your little one sleep during hot days.

Your baby’s biological clock is sensitive to environmental factors such as light and sound. In summer, it stays light for longer, which may mean that your little one has trouble falling asleep when it’s (still) not dark enough. External noises, such as traffic or children playing, can also disturb your baby and keep them awake.

How to solve it

Create a clear distinction between day and night. Make sure the room is as dark as possible during sleep time. Blackout curtains or blinds can help, but sun protection film or fabric are also good options. To neutralize outside noises, you can use white noise, which provides a soothing background sound.

Your baby goes through various sleep phases, such as light sleep, deep sleep, and REM sleep. The deep sleep phase, or slow-wave sleep, is especially important because your little one physically recovers here and the brain performs essential processes for memory and learning. At high temperatures, your baby has difficulty entering and staying in this deep sleep phase because their body is working hard to cool down. This can cause them to wake up more frequently and not rest as well.

How to solve it

Ensure an optimal sleep environment by keeping the room cool and using a breathable sleeping bag made of light materials like Tencel or cotton. Consider using a heat-regulating mattress protector to improve sleep quality. For the youngest ones, swaddling can offer comfort and security, even on hot nights.

Melatonin is the hormone that helps your baby fall asleep and maintain a healthy sleep rhythm. At high temperatures, the body has difficulty producing enough melatonin. This leads to a disrupted internal clock and a weaker sleep signal to the brain, making it harder for your baby to sleep well and deeply.

How to solve it

Melatonin is primarily produced in a dark environment. Make sure the bedroom is darkened to promote melatonin production and facilitate falling asleep. A consistent bedtime routine also helps, as your baby’s body learns that it’s time to sleep. Are you breastfeeding? Breast milk naturally contains melatonin, especially in the evening and at night, which can contribute to better sleep for your baby.

We hopen dat deze inzichten en tips je helpen om de invloed van de warmte op het slaappatroon van je baby te begrijpen en te verzachten. Vergeet tot slot niet om ook te genieten van het zonnetje en vooral van alle mooie (zomerse) momenten samen!