How to Keep Your Baby Cool While Sleeping During a Heat Wave | Dream in Style

If you're anything like me, you've probably found yourself checking the thermostat, feeling the back of your baby's neck, and wondering if they're too hot to sleep.

With the heat wave sweeping across much of the country right now, I know it's something a lot of parents are thinking about. I remember doing the exact same thing with my girls—walking into their room one more time before bed just to make sure they were comfortable. As parents, we worry. It's what we do.

The good news is that keeping your baby cool at night doesn't have to be complicated. A few small changes can make a big difference in helping them sleep comfortably—even during the hottest weeks of summer.

Start With the Room

Before you think about pajamas, think about the room itself.

Most pediatric sleep experts recommend keeping your baby's room somewhere between 68–72°F (20–22°C). If you have air conditioning, try turning it on before bedtime so the room has time to cool down. A fan can also help circulate air (just don't point it directly at your baby's crib), and blackout curtains do a surprisingly good job of keeping the room from heating up throughout the day.

If you don't have AC, keeping the curtains closed during the hottest hours can make a noticeable difference by bedtime.

Dress for the Room—Not the Weather Outside

This is one of the biggest misconceptions I see.

Just because it's 95 degrees outside doesn't necessarily mean your baby should sleep in only a diaper. If you've cooled the nursery to around 70 degrees, that's the temperature you should dress for—not whatever the weather app says.

That's actually one of the biggest reasons I created Shae & Palmer with bamboo fabric from the beginning.

After becoming a mom, I realized how much sleepwear matters. I wanted pajamas that were soft enough for sensitive skin but also breathable enough that my girls could wear them comfortably year-round. Our signature fabric is made from 95% bamboo viscose and 5% spandex, making it incredibly soft, breathable, and naturally temperature regulating.

Instead of trapping heat, bamboo helps promote airflow and wick moisture away from the skin, making it a great option during warm summer nights while still feeling cozy in air-conditioned rooms. Somewhere along the way, our bamboo pajama sets stopped being just a baby thing—I ended up claiming a pair as my own mama jamas, and honestly, I haven't stopped wearing them since.

How to Tell If Your Baby Is Too Hot

One thing I wish someone had told me sooner? Don't judge by their hands or feet.

Babies often have cool hands and feet even when the rest of their body is perfectly comfortable.

Instead, check the back of their neck or their chest.

If you notice:

• Sweaty hair or a damp neck
• Flushed cheeks
• Damp pajamas
• Faster breathing
• More fussiness than usual

...they may simply be too warm. Try removing a layer of clothing and continue keeping an eye on them.

Why We Love Bamboo for Summer Sleep

When I started designing pajamas for Shae & Palmer, I wasn't trying to reinvent sleepwear—I just wanted something I genuinely loved putting my own girls in.

That meant creating pajamas that were:

• Buttery soft from the very first wear
• Breathable and temperature regulating
• Moisture-wicking to help keep little ones comfortable
• Gentle on sensitive skin
• Durable enough to stay soft wash after wash

We also added little details that make life easier as parents, like double zippers on our baby rompers for middle-of-the-night diaper changes and snug-fitting toddler pajamas that meet safe sleep recommendations.

And because I'm a designer at heart, every print starts as original artwork inspired by our California lifestyle. I wanted pajamas that felt just as beautiful for slow Saturday mornings as they do at bedtime.

A Few Questions Parents Ask Me

Should my baby sleep in just a diaper during a heat wave? If your home is very warm and you can't cool it down, sleeping in just a diaper may be the most comfortable option. But if your nursery is within the recommended temperature range, lightweight bamboo pajamas are usually a great choice.

Is bamboo really better than cotton? Both are breathable fabrics, but one of the things I love about bamboo is how well it regulates temperature. It also feels incredibly soft and does a great job wicking moisture away from the skin, which is especially helpful during warmer months.

Are bamboo pajamas only for summer? Not at all. One of my favorite things about bamboo is that we use the exact same pajamas all year long. They're cool enough for warm nights but still cozy when the AC is blasting or the weather cools off.

One Less Thing to Worry About

As parents, we already have enough on our minds.

During a heat wave, focus on keeping the room cool, dressing your baby for the temperature inside the nursery, and choosing breathable fabrics that help keep them comfortable throughout the night.

That's exactly why I created Shae & Palmer—to make one small part of parenting feel a little easier. If our bamboo pajamas can help your little one sleep a little more comfortably (and maybe help you worry a little less), then we've done our job.

From one mom to another, I hope you and your little one stay cool, sleep well, and make it through this heat wave with a few extra hours of rest.