What Should Baby’s Temperature Be?

What temperature does your baby’s bedroom need to be in the winter or summer? How do you know if it’s too warm or chilly? Adjusting the thermostat to a suitable temperature for your baby can be difficult.

Keeping The Right Temperature For Baby

Your baby won’t be able to tell you if he’s feeling hot or cold. But fret not, this guide will provide you with everything you need to know about choosing the best temperature for your little one’s nursery to keep him feeling comfortable.

New dads can head on over to DadsAgree.com for more kid-rearing advice. 

What’s the normal temperature for a baby?

A rectal temperature — the most precise way of taking a baby’s temperature — that ranges from 98 to 100.3 degrees Fahrenheit is typical for babies. Your baby may be running a fever if his temperature goes above 100.3 degrees F.

If your baby shows symptoms such as cough and has an unusually high or low temperature, he may have fallen sick. In cases like this, you should consult your pediatrician promptly.

Rectal temperatures are usually higher than readings taken under the arm by about 1 to 2 degrees. Those taken with pacifier thermometers are also slightly lower by 1 or 2 degrees.

For parents with infants younger than 3 months, contact your pediatrician immediately if your baby’s rectal reading goes above 100.3 degrees F.

What should the temperature of my baby’s room be?

Think of Goldilocks when setting the temperature of your baby’s room: The temperature shouldn’t be too low or too high. If you find the nursery too warm or too chilly, your little one will too. 

You may want to consider keeping your baby’s room around 68 to 72 degrees F during the hotter and colder months. Research shows that babies face a higher risk of SIDS if their rooms are too hot.

On the other hand, if the room’s too cold, your baby’s sleep may get disrupted.

Use fans instead of additional heaters or air conditioners in your baby’s nursery. They help to circulate the air and have been proven to reduce SIDS. 

It’s harder for preterm babies to maintain their temperature. If they’re feeling cold, they risk using up too many calories trying to get warm — not ideal when weight gain is essential to their health. 

As such, it would be good for those with preterm babies to set the thermostat around 72 degrees F during the first few weeks of bringing your baby home.

What should my baby be wearing?

Dressing your baby in layers is best for any kind of weather. You can add or take off layers easily if he’s feeling warm or cold. 

Hats are good as they insulate heat during colder periods of the year and shield your baby from the sun. 

You may need to dress your baby in extra layers if the weather’s cold, but do remember to take them off once you’re back inside so your baby doesn’t get too hot. 

What is TOG?

TOG is used to measure how warm outfits or blankets are. Garments with high TOGs are good for keeping you warm. For example, outfits with a TOG of 1 are good for wearing in the summer. 

Originating from Britain during the 1940s, the term is being increasingly adopted in the US for items such as swaddles and duvets.

Though the American Academy of Pediatricians hasn’t indicated a TOG appropriate TOG for baby garments, thinner clothing typically has a TOG that ranges between 0.3 to 0.5 while thicker ones can go up to 2.5. 

What should my baby be wearing to sleep?

Pairing footie pajamas with a sleep sack make a good bedtime outfit as babies should wear an additional layer to sleep. 

Depending on the weather, you may want to dress your baby in an additional full-length sleeper or choose lighter clothing. 

Using saddle blankets or sleep sacks to swaddle your baby is effective in helping him sleep better. However, do bear in mind these safety tips:

• Prevent entanglement by using a sleep sax that is appropriately sized for your baby
• Babies that can turn over face a heightened risk of suffocation if they are swaddled, thus It is best not to swaddle them. Instead, opt for sleep sacks which allow for free arm movement.
• Reduce the risk of hip development problems by keeping the swaddle slightly loose around your baby’s hips
• Always lay sleeping babies on their back to minimize SIDS

Do babies require socks, hats, blankets, and sleep sacks when sleeping?

Using a sleep sack to swaddle your baby is convenient as they are easy to put on and can be worn on top of footies. Swaddle blankets can be used as an alternative, though some parents find them harder to manage. 

It is best not to dress your baby in socks and hats to sleep as they may overheat. To reduce the risk of SIDS, ensure that there aren’t extra items left around in the crib when your baby is sleeping. 

What room temperature is best if my baby’s sick?

Though your baby may prefer cooler temperatures if he has a cold or other respiratory illness, keeping the nursery at a consistent temperature is best.

If your baby is running a fever, try putting him in lightweight clothing.

How do you know if your baby is too hot or too cold?

Feeling your baby’s neck to see if he’s perspiring or cold is a good way to check if he’s comfortable. 

If your baby looks flushed, sweaty, or is breathing quickly, he may be too hot. Likewise, if your baby seems lethargic and has cold limbs, he may be feeling chilly.

Are there any risks if babies get too hot or cold?

Your baby may be moody and fidgety if he’s overheated. Some babies may get a fever and in extreme cases, even heatstroke. 

Remove your baby’s clothes layer by layer and give him cool water if he feels overheated. Contact your pediatrician immediately if your baby’s condition shows no sign of improvement.

If your little one doesn’t seem to be responsive, he may be too cold. Consult your pediatrician or seek medical assistance right away if your baby feels cold, unresponsive, or sluggish. 

Should my newborn be dressed in more layers compared to me?

Definitely. Depending on the weather, babies should be dressed in multiple layers when going out and in an extra layer when going to bed. Layers are essential as they are convenient to wear and take off.

Just remember to be vigilant if your little one starts to overheat and remove any extra layers when you’re back inside.

Conclusion

You and your baby are very much alike. If you’re feeling hot, chances are, so is he. If you’re cold and need to wear an additional layer, so does he. If your baby is being fussy, he’s probably trying to let you know that he’s feeling uncomfortable. 

To avoid a situation like that, follow the tips that have been provided to ensure that your baby is appropriately dressed for the weather.