Hot Babies - Decoding Your Baby's Heat Signals During Sleep
Symptoms of an Overheated Infant During Sleep and Appropriate Response Strategies
Rendezvous at the beach, camping trips, or summer evenings can heat up, making you anxious about keeping your little one cool amid the sweltering weather. This guide will help you understand the telltale signs your baby's overheating during sleep and offer tips to maintain a cozy, comfortable sleep environment.
The Normal Baby Body Temperature
The routine body temperature of infants usually hovers around 36.4° C (97.5° F). However, fluctuating temperatures are normal due to time of day, weather conditions, and the season. To accurately measure temperatures, stick to in-ear or rectal thermometers [1].
Indicators Your Baby is Too Hot
Sweaty or Taut Skin
A simple way to spot heat exhaustion during sleep is by feeling the baby's skin. Sweaty skin is warm and slightly moist, while stiff skin is cool and moist to the touch. If you detect either of these sensations during sleep, your baby might be overheating [2].
Flushed Cheeks
Overheating causes the body to redistribute blood flow and attempt to cool down. A telltale sign of this is the baby's cheeks turning bright red [3].
WarmTouch
If your baby's skin seems noticeably warmer compared to usual, it might be a sign of overheating.
Breathing Hastily
Overheating triggers fast, shallow breaths as the body tries to release excess heat [4].
Fidgeting or Awake
If the baby seems extra restless, fussy, or wriggly during sleep, they might be too hot. A baby who can't settle or is crying when normally sleepy might need help cooling down.
Maintaining a Cool Sleep Space
Striking the right balance between comfort and temperature ensures a healthy sleep environment.
- Equip your home with a gadget like a tapo smart plug to keep track of heater usage during winter. This smart plug enables you to remotely manage when the heater turns on and off.
- For summer months, consider a suitable air conditioning unit or portable fans to help keep the temperature at a comfortable level.
- Dress your baby in clothing that you find cozy while sleeping. Stick to a suitable number of layers to prevent overheating during winter or excessive cooling in summer [5].
Health Risks of Overheating
When babies overheat, they face several health issues such as:
Heat Exhaustion or Heat Stroke
A baby who becomes excessively hot might sweat profusely, vomit, or lose consciousness. If you encounter these symptoms, seek immediate help to lower the baby's temperature by using fans or cool water sponges while preventing the baby from covering up.
Dehydration
Overheating can lead to excessive sweating and loss of electrolytes, resulting in dehydration symptoms [6].
The Bottom Line
If your baby exhibits any of the mentioned signs, it's crucial to cool down their body by reducing room temperature, removing excess layers, or using cooling methods like fans. Remember, a baby's room temperature should ideally be between 16–20°C (60–68°F) to ensure a comfortable sleep environment. If the baby's temperature doesn't lower, or if symptoms persist, consult a specialist immediately [7].
[1] Mayo Clinic. (2020). Your baby's normal body temperature. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/expert-answers/your-babys-normal-body-temperature/faq-20006785
[2] Healthline. (2020). How to tell if a baby is too hot: signs to watch for. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-tell-if-a-baby-is-too-hot
[3] BabyCenter. (2019). Your baby's changing body temperature. Retrieved from https://www.babycenter.com/0_your-babys-changing-body-temperature_110611.bc
[4] Safefood. (2020). Overheating: how to prevent it. Retrieved from https://www.safefood.eu/articles/overheating---how-to-prevent-it
[5] Parents. (2020). What To Wear: Newborn Layer Guide For Winter And Summer. Retrieved from https://www.parents.com/baby/care/temperature/what-to-wear-newborn-layer-guide-winter-and-summer/
[6] WebMD. (2018). Overheating (Hyperthermia). Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/children/guide/overheating-hyperthermia
[7] KidsHealth. (2020). Caring for the Newborn: Temperature. Retrieved from https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/bab-temp.html
- Science indicates that a baby's regular body temperature averages around 36.4° C (97.5° F), but it can fluctuate due to factors like time of day, weather, and season.
- To accurately measure a baby's temperature, use in-ear or rectal thermometers, as they provide the most accurate readings.
- If a baby's skin feels sweaty or taut during sleep, it may be a sign of overheating. Sweaty skin is warm and slightly moist, while stiff skin is cool and moist to the touch.
- Flushed cheeks can indicate that a baby is overheating, as the body attempts to cool down by redistributing blood flow.
- If a baby's skin feels warmer than usual, it might be a sign of overheating.
- Overheating can cause fast, shallow breaths as the body attempts to release excess heat.
- Babies who appear extra restless, fussy, or wriggly during sleep may be overheating and need help to cool down.
- To create a comfortable sleep environment, use smart plugs to control heater usage during winter, air conditioning or portable fans during summer, and dress babies in appropriate clothing for the season.
- Overheating can lead to serious health issues like heat exhaustion or heat stroke, which might cause profuse sweating, vomiting, or loss of consciousness.
- Dehydration is another potential health risk associated with overheating, as excessive sweating can lead to the loss of electrolytes. Parents should be vigilant in monitoring their babies' temperature and overall health to prevent overheating and its related complications.
