Hi, we’ll have a newborn in late-November and I don’t know how to dress her at night for sleep in Perth heat? Do we put on the aircon (the vent is right above her cot though and I’m worried about that too?) or a fan? Will she be too warm in a sleep sack?

It can be difficult to work out what may be the most appropriate clothing/bedding for baby when sleeping.
Red Nose recommends dressing baby according to the room temperature, rather than trying to modify the room temperature with heating or cooling.
It is not possible to give you specific guidance for dressing your baby, as every baby is different.
Red Nose has the following general information.
“Dress baby and use layers as you would dress or use layers yourself: to be comfortable, neither too hot nor too cold.
“Dress baby for sleep and add/remove lightweight blankets to ensure baby’s back or tummy feels comfortably warm to the touch.
Remove hats, bonnets, beanies and hooded clothing from baby’s head as soon as baby is indoors.”  -
Always sleep baby with head & face uncovered.
Always place baby on back for sleep
eg You could use light weight blanket (tucked in) or sleeping bag. Sometimes baby is warm enough on those very hot days with one layer of clothing & cotton or muslin wrap/swaddle….....or sometimes simply nappy & singlet with swaddle.

“A good way to check baby’s temperature is to feel baby’s back or tummy (don’t worry if baby’s hands and feet feel cool - this is normal)...................
Consider how many layers that you as the baby’s carer are wearing comfortably.”
https://rednose.org.au/article/how-much-bedding-does-baby-need
“As long as baby is put down to sleep on their back, and that baby is dressed appropriately for the room temperature – not overdressed or under dressed – with their head and face uncovered, you can feel reassured that you are protecting baby from overheating.

We don’t believe that it’s necessary to use a room temperature monitor, or to leave the heating or cooling on all night, as long as baby is dressed appropriately for the temperature of the room – not too hot, not too cold.”
https://rednose.org.au/article/how-to-dress-baby-for-sleep
If you do use a fan or aircon, then dress baby in line with room temperature.

Your Midwife & Child Health Nurse can also provide support after baby is born. Also Services like Ngala (in WA) can be helpful as needed.
Let us know if you have fu