As the seasons change, the weather changes. Although it might seem like it’s always raining, the temperature can change along with this and quite drastically throughout the day. These changes can be quite dramatic for a baby, so it’s always a good idea to know how to help your baby regulate their temperature during the changing seasons.
Why do you need to regulate your baby’s temperature?
Babies can’t regulate their own body temperature for the first two months, but they can lose heat four times as fast as an adult can. Their bodies are not developed to maintain their temperatures. A normal temperature for a baby is around 36-37 degrees Celsius. Anything above 37-37.5 degrees could be a fever.
You can check your baby’s temperature with a thermometer, but a quick way to check if your baby is too hot, or too cold is to touch them on the back of the neck, or on the chest. A baby’s hands and feet usually feel cold anyway, so it’s not a good guide of the overall body temperature.
During the day if it’s cold
The best way to regulate your baby’s temperature during the day is to layer their clothing. Start with a light baby bodysuit, or sleep suit. Add on a long sleeved shirt, and trousers, or joggers. Your baby will also need socks, and maybe mittens and a coat. Remember to take the coat off if you put your baby in a car seat, as a thick coat can leave the car seat harness too loose.
When you use layers, you can add on a layer, or take one away as needed, which is perfect when accounting for those changeable Spring days when the weather can’t make up its mind. If it’s very cold, don’t forget to use a pram blanket to help keep your baby warm.
During the day if it’s warm
During warm days you can still use layers, just use less of them. Try to choose clothing made with breathable fabrics, but you’ll also want clothes that are quite hard-wearing. Fabrics like cotton, jersey knit, and bamboo rayon are all good fabric choices for baby clothes. Pay attention to make sure that your baby doesn’t overheat, removing layers when necessary.
Night-time temperatures
Regulating your baby’s temperature at night not only takes into account the weather, but the room temperature as well. The room temperature should be between 16-20 degrees. You should never use pillows, duvets, or quilts. Use layers of cotton blankets, or a baby sleeping bag. If you’re using a baby sleeping bag, make sure it’s a low tog, sleeveless, and that it’s the right size for your baby. If you’re using blankets, make sure that they’re tucked securely under the mattress.
