Helping Your Baby Sleep in the Summer Months: A Parent's Guide to Better Nights.

Phillippa Wallis
Jun 24
3 min read

When the sun is shining and the days are long, we love the summer — but for many parents, it can also bring a serious sleep struggle.

Hot, sticky nights. Bright evenings. Early morning sunshine. And the dreaded disrupted routine from holidays or lighter bedtimes.

If you’ve found yourself Googling “Why won’t my baby sleep in the summer?” — you’re not alone. The good news? There are simple, effective ways to support your baby or toddler’s sleep even when the seasons change.

Here’s how to get your little one back on track — and help the whole family sleep soundly this summer.

☀️ 1. Block Out the Light (Even at 8pm!)

Babies and young children are especially sensitive to light — and during summer months, sunset can come well after bedtime.

Natural light suppresses melatonin, the hormone that helps us feel sleepy. That means if your child’s room is still bright at bedtime (or sunrise is sneaking in at 5am!), it’s likely to interfere with both falling asleep and staying asleep.

🔲 Try this:

Invest in blackout blinds or blackout curtains
For travel or holidays, use portable blackout options (like suction blinds or even black bin bags in a pinch!)
Dim lights an hour before bed to help your child wind down naturally

🌡️ 2. Keep the Room Cool and Comfortable

Overheating can be a big issue during summer nights. Babies sleep best in a room that’s around 16–20°C (60–68°F). Anything warmer, and it can lead to restless sleep or frequent waking.

🌬️ Tips for keeping the room cool:

Use a fan (but not pointing directly at your baby)
Keep blinds closed during the day to block out heat
Use light, breathable layers (like a cotton sleep sack or vest)
Consider a room thermometer to monitor temperatures

✈️ 3. Travelling or On Holiday? Stick to the Basics

Summer often means holidays, visits to family, or nights away — all of which can throw your child’s routine out the window.

🧳 Here’s how to keep things consistent:

Bring familiar sleep cues (same sleep sack, comforter, bedtime story)
Stick to your usual bedtime routine, even if timings shift slightly
Aim to keep nap times and wake windows roughly the same

Even if things get off track while you’re away, don’t panic — once you’re home, return to your usual sleep plan straight away and things will settle quickly.

💤 4. Re-set Sleep After Summer Disruptions

If the summer has already caused some chaos in your child’s sleep (earlier wakeups, late nights, refusing naps), it’s not too late to turn things around.

✔️ What helps:

Get back to a solid bedtime routine
Reinforce a consistent schedule
Use gentle sleep training techniques to rebuild healthy habits

If your little one is still struggling, you don’t have to figure it out alone — I offer gentle, proven sleep solutions that can get your baby sleeping beautifully in as little as 14 days.

💛 Final Thought

Summer can absolutely bring its challenges — but with the right tweaks to your child’s sleep environment and routine, you can have restful nights and happy mornings, all season long.

And if you need a little extra support, I’m here for you.

👉 Join my free mailing list to find out the real reason your child isn’t sleeping — and what to do about it.

Because every child (and every parent!) deserves a good night’s sleep — even in Summer