Is It Better For An Infant To Be Too Cool Or Too Warm?
5 January 2010
They say that your baby should wear one layer of clothes more then yourself, but my baby always seems to be to hot!
I worry that he may get too cool as he really only seems to be comfortable when naked (sans diaper).
But if i put a top on him, I worry about him overheating.
So is it better for him to be potentially too warm in a singlet or too cool without one on?
i was told by a nurse its better for a baby to be too cool than too warm, especially at night, as overheating is one of the risks associated with SIDS.
Being overwarm is potentially more dangerous than being slightly cool, as there is a risk of febrile convulsion and other problems. Go with how your baby feels – if he feels too hot, take a layer off. No two people are alike in how they feel at various temperatures, the guidelines are there for just that – a guideline rather than a rule.
It’s better to be a little too cool. Try finding him some thin sleepers and onesies. Keep a little clothing on him, especially since it’s winter, but he doesn’t have to have a FULL outfit on.
***Ok- diclaimer time: If you have questions that you are seriously concerned about, please, PLEASE see your pediatrician.***
Now that that is out of the way, the normal temp ranges for an infant/neonate is 97-99 degrees F.
“Too” much of anything is a bad thing. Lowered temps lead to problems just like raised temps do. The best thing to do is to take your baby’s temperature. You can purchase an over the counter thermometer to take axillary (armpit) temps, or one that will take a tympanic temp (ear).
As long as the baby isnt acting uncomfortable and the temp is within the normal ranges, you should be fine.
opps i cant ans