Rule-of-thumb: your baby should be comfortable at the same temperature as you are

The first and foremost priority of first-time parents during the first months after a baby is born is always to keep their baby warm and at a comfortable temperature, however many parents are unaware about their babies bodily temperature, resulting in over or under dressing the child.

According to experts, new born babies struggle with regulating their body temperature because of their fat to skin area ratio. According to the World Health Organization, the inside of a mother’s womb is 38°C and the evaporation of the amniotic fluid off a newborn’s body makes her cold. The inability to conserve heat is the primary reason for babies being unable to control their temperature and this is why hospitals cover the heads of new-borns with a small beanie cap.

At 3-4 months, babies are better equipped to regulate their own body temperature due to their increased body weight. At this point the rule-of-thumb experts say that mothers should use, is that your baby should be comfortable at the same temperature as you are.

A baby’s normal temperature ranges between 36.5°C and 37.5°C, therefore parents are advised to set thermostats between 18°C and 20°C when the baby is initially brought back home from the hospital. Most importantly, a baby’s extremities like her feet and hands tend to get colder than the rest of her body; this is due to the general knowledge that babies typically have poor circulatory function. The best way to measure whether your baby is cold is by touching their chest. If their chest is cold then add another layer of clothing or increase the heat in your home.

During the peak winter months and during heavy snow, it is advisable to make sure that your baby wears a hat and mittens. By leaving a baby’s head uncovered, heat can not be conserved and therefore heat loss increases. The latter also holds true during periods of high winds, a hat would prevent the baby’s ears from being exposed to sudden gale wind temperatures.

It is perhaps better to over dress your child than to under dress them in winter, but overdressing a baby can be dangerous in summer months when temperatures are high and could lead to dehydration. The best option is to dress baby in easy-to-remove layers.

Avnee Davé
04.12.2009