CircadiaOSThis page is general information, not medical advice. Follow your pediatrician's guidance for your baby. CircadiaOS is designed for healthy adults and we do not recommend using its automatic thermostat control in a room where an infant sleeps.
Short answer: for babies, the main rule is to avoid overheating. The American Academy of Pediatrics does not set a room temperature but advises dressing a baby in no more than one layer more than an adult would need, with no loose blankets and no hat indoors. The UK's Lullaby Trust suggests a room of 16–20°C (about 61–68°F). Adults often prefer the cooler end of 60–67°F. If you share a room, set it for the baby.
Babies: the goal is not overheating
Overheating is a known risk factor for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), so infant guidance focuses on keeping babies from getting too warm rather than on sleep quality.
- No single number from the AAP. The American Academy of Pediatrics' 2022 safe sleep recommendations say to avoid overheating and head covering, and to dress the baby appropriately for the environment, with no more than one additional layer than an adult would wear to be comfortable (Moon et al., 2022).
- A range from UK guidance. The Lullaby Trust recommends a room temperature of 16–20°C, roughly 61–68°F, with light bedding or a well-fitting baby sleep bag.
- Check the baby, not just the room. Feel the back of the neck or the chest. Sweating, damp hair or a hot chest mean the baby is too warm. Cool hands and feet are normal.
- No loose blankets, pillows or bumpers. Use a sleep sack or wearable blanket instead.
- Room-share, don't bed-share. The AAP recommends the baby sleep in your room, on a separate flat sleep surface, ideally for at least the first six months.
Adults: cooler, and a curve
For adults, common guidance is a room of about 60–67°F (15–19°C) (National Sleep Foundation; Cleveland Clinic), ideally coolest in the first half of the night and a little warmer toward morning, because the body's core temperature falls as you fall asleep and rises before waking (Harding et al., 2019). Adults can also add or remove layers during the night. Babies cannot.
Side by side
| Babies | Adults | |
|---|---|---|
| Main goal | Avoid overheating (safety) | Comfortable, cool enough to sleep |
| Room guidance | No AAP number; Lullaby Trust 16–20°C (about 61–68°F) | About 60–67°F in common sleep guidance |
| Bedding | Sleep sack, no loose blankets | Whatever is comfortable |
| Clothing | At most one layer more than an adult needs | Personal preference |
| Changing through the night | Keep it steady | Cooler early, warmer before waking |
Sharing a room with a baby
When a baby sleeps in your room, set the room for the baby. In practice that often means the warmer end of the adult range, around the upper 60s°F, with the adults using lighter or heavier personal bedding to stay comfortable. Keep the temperature steady overnight rather than running a deep early-night dip. If you are unsure, ask your pediatrician.
What this means for CircadiaOS
CircadiaOS is an iPhone app that runs an overnight temperature curve on a smart thermostat for healthy adults. Our terms do not recommend using it where infants or young children sleep without direct adult supervision. If a baby sleeps in your bedroom, we suggest turning off automatic control and setting the thermostat by hand to the range your pediatrician recommends. You can pause the schedule or disconnect the thermostat at any time in the app.
Questions
What temperature should a baby's room be?
The AAP does not give a number and focuses on avoiding overheating. The UK's Lullaby Trust recommends 16–20°C, about 61–68°F, with a light sleep bag. Check your baby's neck or chest; sweating or a hot chest means they are too warm.
Is a cold room safe for a baby?
A cool room within the recommended range, with the baby dressed appropriately in a sleep sack, is considered safe. Avoid adding loose blankets to compensate. Cool hands and feet are normal; judge by the chest or back of the neck.
Can I keep my bedroom cold for my own sleep if the baby sleeps in my room?
Set the room for the baby first. Many families settle around the upper 60s°F and adjust adult bedding instead. Ask your pediatrician if you are unsure.
Should I use CircadiaOS in a nursery or shared room with a baby?
We do not recommend it. CircadiaOS is designed for healthy adults and changes the temperature through the night. Where an infant sleeps, keep the thermostat on a steady setting chosen with your pediatrician's guidance.
Sources
- Moon RY, Carlin RF, Hand I; AAP Task Force on SIDS. Sleep-related infant deaths: updated 2022 recommendations for reducing infant deaths in the sleep environment. Pediatrics, 2022.
- The Lullaby Trust, "Room temperature" safer sleep advice (lullabytrust.org.uk).
- NHS, "Reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)" (nhs.uk).
- Harding EC, Franks NP, Wisden W. The temperature dependence of sleep. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 2019.
- National Sleep Foundation, "Sleep tips" (thensf.org/sleep-tips).
- Cleveland Clinic, "What's the best temperature for sleep?" (health.clevelandclinic.org).
Related guides
- Best temperature for sleep — the adult research.
- Couples and the thermostat — when adults disagree.
- Summer and winter settings — seasonal numbers.