Baby Clothes Temperature Chart
Match sleepwear to the room temperature, not the season. Enter the nursery temperature for a suggested TOG and outfit, or use the full chart below. The comfortable sleep range is about 16–20 °C (61–68 °F).
What should my baby wear tonight?
Enter the room temperature. Use tonight's expected low, not the reading at bedtime.
Tonight's suggestion
- Sleep sack TOG
- What to wear
Dress for the overnight low, not the bedtime reading. Nurseries often drop a few degrees by morning.
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TOG chart: baby sleepwear by room temperature
TOG is a warmth rating: the higher the number, the warmer the fabric. Match the overnight low to a band:
| Room temperature | Sleep sack TOG | What baby wears |
|---|---|---|
| 27 °C and up (81 °F and up) | None or 0.2 | Diaper only, or a sleeveless bodysuit |
| 24–26 °C (75–80 °F) | 0.5 | Short-sleeve bodysuit |
| 20–23 °C (68–74 °F) | 1.0 | Long-sleeve bodysuit or romper |
| 16–19 °C (61–67 °F) | 2.5 | Long-sleeve bodysuit and footed sleepsuit |
| 15 °C and below (59 °F and below) | 3.5 | Long-sleeve bodysuit plus a footed sleepsuit |
How to tell if your baby is too hot or too cold
Feel the back of the neck or the chest: warm and dry is right. Hands and feet normally run cooler than the core, so they are not a reliable guide.
Check once after your baby has been asleep for a while, and again if the night turns much colder or warmer than expected.
Signs of overheating
- Sweating or damp hair
- Flushed or red cheeks
- Rapid or labored breathing
- Heat rash on the chest or neck
- A chest or back that feels hot
What is TOG?
TOG stands for Thermal Overall Grade, a lab-tested rating of how much warmth a fabric holds. Baby sleepwear runs from 0.2 (lightweight, for hot rooms) to 3.5 (for genuinely cold rooms). It measures insulation, not thickness: a thin down garment can out-warm a thicker cotton one.
The American Academy of Pediatrics advises against sleep sacks rated 4.0 TOG or higher, and against loose blankets for babies under 12 months. A wearable sleep sack is the safe alternative.
Situations that change the answer
- Overnight temperature drops: dress for the lowest expected reading, not the bedtime one.
- Swaddle to sleep sack: once your baby shows signs of rolling, sometimes as early as 2 months, switch to an arms-free sleep sack.
- Premature or small babies may need an extra layer; so may babies who simply run cool. Use the neck check to adjust.
- Fever changes the picture: a feverish baby needs fewer layers, not more, and your pediatrician should guide the rest.
Safe sleep rules that come first
- Always place your baby on their back to sleep, for naps and nights.
- Share your room, not your bed. Keep pillows and adult bedding away from the baby.
- No loose blankets, hats or hoods in the crib for babies under 12 months.
- Overheating is a SIDS risk factor. When in doubt, choose the lighter option and check the neck.
- Only sleep-approved surfaces: crib, bassinet or travel crib. Never a swing, bouncer or sofa.
Sources
TOG bands follow the common industry chart published by major sleepwear brands (Newton Baby, ergoPouch, Love to Dream); safety rules follow AAP, NICHD and Lullaby Trust guidance. Always defer to the label on your baby’s actual sleepwear.
Common questions
What TOG should my baby wear at 20 °C (68 °F)?
A 1.0 TOG sleep sack over a long-sleeve bodysuit or romper. 20 °C sits in the mild band of the chart; if the room may drop below 19 °C overnight, step up to 2.5 TOG and use the neck check in the morning.
What if the nursery gets colder overnight?
Dress for the lowest expected temperature, not the bedtime reading. Rooms often drop several degrees by early morning. If you are between bands, choose the warmer option and check the neck or chest once the baby is asleep.
Can a newborn sleep in just a diaper?
In a genuinely hot room (27 °C / 81 °F and up), yes: a diaper alone or a sleeveless bodysuit is the right amount. Below that, use the chart. Bare is only the answer at the top of the range.
Does the same chart apply to daytime naps?
Yes: match the room temperature the baby actually sleeps in. Daytime rooms often run warmer than the night-time nursery, so check again rather than repeating the bedtime outfit.
How do I know if my baby is too hot at night?
Feel the back of the neck or the chest: warm and dry is right. Sweating, flushed cheeks, rapid breathing, damp hair or a heat rash mean remove a layer and cool the room.
Is a 3.5 TOG sleep sack safe?
Yes for genuinely cold rooms (15 °C / 59 °F and below). 3.5 is the warmest common rating. The AAP advises against anything rated 4.0 TOG or higher because of overheating risk.
This guide is for general information and is not medical advice. Questions about your baby’s sleep, warmth or health should be discussed with a pediatrician.
Log tonight's outfit and how the night went
MilkBaby Calendar records sleep stretches in one tap, so after a few nights you can see what your baby actually sleeps best in, not just what the chart suggests.
