My flat is always very warm now everyone’s got the heating on and I can’t get my baby’s room cooler than 21 degrees C. What should I do?

You're right to be concerned about room temperature in the winter as well as summer. When it gets colder outside, many people automatically switch to a heavier tog sleeping bag for their baby, or assume that warmer sleeping clothes are needed. Neither may be necessary. It is also important to consider the temperature in other rooms where a small baby may have a day sleep or naps. Living rooms may be hotter and stuffier in winter. Pay special attention to taking off a baby's heavier outdoor clothing, when coming indoors, after being out in the pram or buggy, or when spending time in a hot shopping centre or cafe.

If the room where the baby sleeps is difficult to cool, follow the 'summer rules' of lighter bedding and open the bedroom door and a window if it is safe to do so, though ensure that the baby's cot or crib is not in a draught. You might also like to use a fan to cool the room, but don’t aim it directly on the baby.

Check how hot the baby feels, placing a hand on the skin of his tummy, or the back of his neck. Ensure that the baby has sufficient fluids, whether from breastmilk or by offering cooled, boiled water. 

My mum often looks after my baby and she is a big smoker. I've got her to smoke in the garden if the baby is around but what more should I do?

Jean Simons, Support and education manager answers:

This is a very common concern and especially so now that the weather is getting colder and wetter. Callers to our Helpline question if it is REALLY necessary to go right outside to smoke, especially if to do so would mean leaving the baby alone, perhaps asleep, indoors.

Research shows that any exposure to smoke poses a risk and parents are right to insist that anyone caring for the baby does not expose them to their smoking anywhere indoors. Perhaps if a carer cannot manage not to smoke during the hours they care for the baby, they could have their cigarette(s) when out with the baby in the pram or buggy, in the open air. If the baby is asleep in a moses basket or carrycot indoors, and the carer is alone in the house with the baby, the carer should bring the basket to where s/he can keep an eye on the baby through an open door while s/he stands outside to smoke.

The issue naturally requires a lot of tact, especially if a grandparent is the person caring for the baby. Do urge your mother to look at the research data and we would be happy to answer any further questions and tips for handling this in a sensitive way.

Read more about the dangers of smoking around babies.

I’m taking my four month old baby girl to visit family a day’s car journey away. I’ve heard about links between cot death and car seats. Can you let me know what is safe?

Jean Simons, Head of support and education says: 
"There is no known link between cot death and car seats but there are several precautions you can take to keep your baby safe and healthy. Make sure your car seat is properly fitted, facing backwards, the air bags are not in use, and be observable by a competent adult. Be careful she doesn’t get too hot. Stop for breaks for fresh air and a drink for the baby. Also, use sunshades on the window, put on the fan or air con. If possible you might like to travel early or late in the day when it is cooler.

"Car seats are not ideal places for safe infant sleep in the home. Our advice is that the safest place for your baby to sleep – both during the day for naps and during the night – is in a crib, cot or Moses basket in a room with you for the first six months. "

My baby is six months old and has just started rolling onto her front, I'm really worried: is there anyway to stop her doing this and do I have to get up and turn her back all night?

Marcia Jones, our Helpline advisor says:
"It is natural that from the age of six months, and sometimes earlier babies will start rolling onto their fronts and they will naturally start to find their own sleeping positions. If your baby rolls on to her front then by all means gently roll her onto her back when you check on her. It is not necessary to stay awake all night to keep an eye on her. Once the baby can roll from front to back as well there is little hope of “controlling” her sleeping position.

"Our safety advice remains to continue settling her to sleep on her back (daytime naps too). If she sleeps completely face down as many parents report, check she can nevertheless breathe freely. If you cannot be sure then turn her head gently to the side.

"Never use wedges, rolled towels or any other device to try to stop her rolling. Our sleep safe advice continues to be that the baby should placed to sleep on a firm flat completely waterproof mattress."

I’m expecting my second baby and I’m not sure if I should buy a new cot mattress. What do you think?

Jean Simons, our Helpline manager replies:

"Ideally you should buy a new mattress. If you are not able to do this, use the one you have, as long as it was made with a completely waterproof cover and has no tears, cracks or holes. Clean and dry it thoroughly. Check that the mattress is in good condition; is firm, not soft; fits the cot without any gaps; and doesn’t sag. It is very important that your baby’s mattress is kept clean and dry".

All night heating in Winter

Marcia Jones, Helpline advisor says:

“All night heating is rarely necessary. If your baby is sleeping with a nappy, vest and babygro, a sheet and two blankets should be ok if the room temperature is about 18oC. In the middle of the night in Winter the room will be cooler and you can add one or more layers of blanket.

It’s useful to have a simple room thermometer to help you keep an eye on how hot or cold the room is. A rough guide to how much bedding should be used is in the leaflet we produced with the Department of Health “Reduce the risk of cot death: an easy guide”.

If you have a question of your own please call our Helpline on 020 7233 2090 or send an email to helpline@fsid.org.uk