Parenthood is full of joys and challenges, and one of the biggest concerns for new parents is ensuring their baby is always safe. At bedtime, your little one shouldn’t feel too cold nor too hot as both can leave them uncomfortable. Feeling too warm can also leave a baby clammy, flushed, and fussy—no parent wants this for their infant.
Learn the common signs your baby is too hot while sleeping and how to keep your little one cozy!
The Dangers of Overheating
Getting too hot is dangerous at any age, but it can be especially problematic for babies for a few reasons. First, newborns cannot regulate their body temperature and rely on their environment and parents to keep them cool.
In extreme cases, overheating may cause Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). While the exact cause of SIDS is unknown, some experts believe that it may be related to breathing difficulties caused by overheating.
Moreover, babies are helpless. If your little one feels too hot in their crib, they can’t simply toss their blankets aside to cool down. They’ll cry, signaling to you that they need help. By recognizing that your baby is too warm, you can change their jammies, give them fluids, and bring them to a cooler space.
How To Know if Your Baby is Overheated
Recognizing the signs your baby is too hot while sleeping is crucial to parents as it equips them with the tools to avoid this danger. Signals that your baby is too hot include:
Clammy Skin
Although babies cannot sweat as much as adults, their skin may feel clammy when they begin overheating. This happens when the body sweats excessively to cool down. Check for this by gently touching your baby’s stomach, neck, and back. If these areas feel damp or sticky, your baby may be too warm. Help your baby cool down and change them into new pajamas.
Pro Tip
If your baby is a bit sweaty, their hair may also feel a bit damp, so check this in addition to their back, neck, and tummy.
Flushed Cheeks
When the blood vessels expand to release excess heat, your baby’s cheeks may appear flushed. Look for redness in their cheeks that doesn’t fade quickly with light pressure. Unlike the normal redness from crying or teething, heat-related flushing is persistent. Keep the room cool and offer your baby fluids to help regulate their temperature.
Rapid Breathing
When a baby is too hot, its body works harder to cool down, leading to quicker breaths. Monitor your baby closely if you notice that they take short, quick breaths, especially if they also feel warm to the touch. Fast breathing can indicate that the body is struggling to regulate temperature. Ensure they are in a cool environment and seek medical advice if their breathing doesn’t regulate.
Heat Rash
Heat rash is a common symptom of overheating in babies. It appears as tiny red bumps on the skin, usually in clothing-covered areas. Blocked sweat ducts cause the rash. If you notice these bumps, keep the affected area dry and cool.
Loose-fitting clothing and frequent diaper changes can help prevent and treat heat rash. Additionally, you may want to give your baby a bath once they’ve cooled down to eliminate any sweat on their body.
Pro Tip
If you notice a rash on your baby, consult your pediatrician for recommendations on treatment. Most babies have sensitive skin, so the ointments you’d use on yourself may not be ideal for your little one.
Lethargic
Overheating can make infants feel unusually tired or sluggish. If your baby seems less active than usual or is difficult to wake up, they may be too hot. Offer them fluids and move them to a cooler environment.
Increased Crying
No matter how old you are, getting cozy in bed is hard when you feel overheated. Unlike older children and adults, infants can’t change their clothes or remove their blankets to cool off. Instead, babies cry to alert their parents that something’s wrong.
If you notice your baby cries more often at bedtime and isn’t hungry, overtired, or needs a diaper change, they may be overheated. A quick temperature check can further verify this. If your baby’s back or tummy feels hot, their fussiness may be due to feeling too hot.
Ways To Keep Your Baby Cozy
While being able to recognize the signs that your baby is too hot while sleeping is important, there are also steps you can take to prevent overheating in the first place. Some tips for keeping your baby cozy and safe while sleeping include:
Evaluate PJ Material
One way to prevent your baby from overheating while sleeping is to choose their sleepwear carefully. Lightweight, breathable materials can help with temperature regulation. This is vital, as dressing your baby in temperature-regulating materials can help them keep cool.
Dream Big Little Co’s baby rompers are adorable, cozy, and made with breathable bamboo viscose. We have countless options to keep your little one comfy throughout the night!
A Bonus
Pjs made with bamboo viscose are also perfect for sensitive skin since the material is hypoallergenic and naturally resists bacteria.
Avoid Hats or Socks In Bed
Dressing your baby in hats and socks can trap heat and cause them to overheat. Additionally, you may want to avoid dressing your little one in footie pajamas as these fully cover the feet just like socks would. Instead, shop for rompers that cut off at the ankle.
Pro Tip
Purchase a swaddle blanket or baby sleep sack to keep your baby at a comfortable body temperature. Like pjs, you should buy options made from breathable materials, such as viscose bamboo, so heat can escape.
Check The Bedroom Temperature
Purchase a moveable room thermometer to check the temperature of the nursery. Most experts recommend 68 to 72 degrees as the right room temperature for a baby. Closely monitor your little one and alter the temperature as needed.
Pay Attention to Your Baby
Most importantly, you should pay attention to your baby. As a parent, you know your little one best and understand their needs. If you notice any of the previously mentioned signs of overheating, take action to cool your infant down. Trust your instincts and always put your baby’s safety first.
Shop at Dream Big Little Co
We have a variety of adorable pjs for babies, kids, and adults. Treat your family to the coziest pajamas so you all can drift off to dreamland in supreme comfort!