Perhaps your baby is having a hard time sleeping at night, or maybe you are just concerned that the temperature is not ideal for your baby at night. It can be hard how to tell if your baby is too cold while sleeping, but there are a few different ways to determine the right temperature for your baby.
There are numerous signs to observe that your baby is experiencing discomfort at night, whether it is related to temperature or not. As a parent, if you are feeling too cold yourself, chances are that your baby is also feeling too cold. Since babies are not recommended to sleep with a blanket, it’s essential that you keep your house at the right temperature and that your baby is dressed appropriately for the temperature you choose.
Why Is It Important to Keep Your Home At The Right Temperature For Your Baby?
Temperature is a great concern for infants because they do not regulate their body temperature as adults do. Infants usually lose temperature about four times faster than adults, as well as gain heat faster. This makes them vulnerable to the effects of low or high temperatures. Some studies also reveal that low temperature increases the risk of infant mortality.
Until a baby reaches 1.5 – 2 years of age, he or she may not be able to regulate his or her body temperature, making it the parent’s responsibility to create a comfortable, safe environment.
How Cold Is Too Cold For A Baby’s Room?
Baby’s room should not be too hot or too cold. A room temperature of between 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal.
If you prefer your home to be at a lower temperature, or if you struggle to keep your house warm due to weather or housing conditions, take extra precautions to ensure that your baby stays warm.
Signs That Your Baby Is Too Cold While Sleeping
The following signs could potentially indicate that your baby is too cold at night, although they could also indicate other issues. Be sure to talk with your doctor if your baby is doing something you find concerning.
Frequent Wake-Ups
If the baby wakes up more frequently than he or she usually does, temperature could be the culprit. If you’ve eliminated other possible reasons, make sure to try adjusting the temperature or your baby’s clothing.
Shivering
Shivering is a clear indication that your baby is feeling too cold. The smaller size and less muscle mass in babies compared to adults put them at higher risk of developing hypothermia which can cause them to shiver.
Most Body Parts Are Cold
You can feel the parts of the body of your baby with your hands and if their cheeks, hands, legs, and chest feel cold to touch, then there is no doubt about your baby feeling too cold.
Pale Skin Complexion
A pale complexion in babies could be an indicator that the baby is too cold. The skin usually become pale and blotchy. This could also be a sign that the baby has developed hypothermia among other conditions. If your baby seems pale, try troubleshooting by warming them up.
Fussiness
A baby’s only means of communicating is fussing and crying. So fussiness could indicate any number of reasons a baby is experiencing discomfort. When a baby is fussing, all you can do is eliminate any possible reasons, and temperature is an easy one to rule out!
Changes in Sleep Pattern
If your baby’s typical sleep schedule is disrupted, temperature could be the culprit. Although, it could also be due to sleep regression, cluster feeding, or many other reasons. Adjust the temperature and see if that helps.
Skin Is Cold to the Touch
If your baby’s skin is cold, that is probably the biggest indicator of them being too cold. Compare the temperature of your baby’s skin to your own or other family members in the home.
4 Tips for Keeping Your Baby Warm at Night
Ensuring that your baby has a safe and comfortable environment is one of the most important parts of being a parent, and it can be especially difficult for a first-time mom. Not only will it keep your baby safe and happy, but it will lessen the stress on you as well as a new parent.
1. Keep Your Room Temperature Ideal
As I pointed out earlier, the ideal temperature for a baby’s sleeping room should be between 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit. You, therefore, need to create a safe sleeping environment for your baby to ensure that he or she gets a comfortable good night’s rest.
Get a thermometer for the room that the baby sleeps in so you can easily check what temperature the room is at, as temperature varies from room to room.
2. Dress Them Appropriately
You can always add more layers, but you can only take so much off. This means that a cooler temperature might be your best bet, as long as you’re layering appropriately. Depending on the temperature, a baby can sleep in something as light as footie pajamas.
Oftentimes, the hardest part for a baby to keep warm is their hands. Since a baby is unable to use a blanket, their hands often get cold. Getting some baby mittens, or putting socks on their hands can be a huge help!
3. Swaddle Them If Necessary
A swaddle is a great alternative to a blanket for babies who are too young to roll over on their own. Not only will a swaddle keep them warm, but they often enjoy the tightness that the swaddle provides, similar to being held.
4. Use A Sleep Sack
Swaddling is safe for babies who are not able to roll over on their own, but for babies who are older and can roll over, a sleep sack is a great alternative. Sleep sacks usually have a zipper, making diaper changes easy, and offering the comfortable warmth that a child needs, similar to a blanket. A child is typically unable to adjust and keep a blanket on them until well into toddlerhood, so a sleep sack can be great from newborn, up to early childhood.
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Final Thoughts On How to Tell If Your Baby Is Too Cold
A mother’s instincts for their babies are typically right. If, as a mother, you are feeling that your baby is feeling cold while sleeping, or something is causing them discomfort, listen to your gut and try something new to help your baby get a better sleep.
Use these signs and tips for keeping your baby warm at night to ensure a comfortable, safe sleeping environment for your little one! If your efforts aren’t helping, be sure to speak to your baby’s doctor about other possible reasons for your baby’s struggle to sleep.
Kayla is the content creator over at motviationformom.com. She is a wife and mother who loves to share all of the tips, tricks, and life lessons that she has learned over the years with all of her readers. Her primary focus is on children’s education, motherhood, and healthy family relationships!