How to Know If Baby Is Too Hot In Swaddle
Adjusting to a new life outside the womb is a hard task, isn’t it? Well, it’s hard for babies as they just know their first home's quiet and cozy environment. And swaddling can mimic that calmness and adjust newborns to their second home.
But as a new parent, you might wonder: Is my baby getting too hot in that cozy wrap? Swaddling can feel like a superpower for new parents—a simple way to help soothe your baby and encourage sleep. But as the weather heats up or you notice your baby getting fussy, you might wonder: Is my little one too hot in that cozy wrap?
So, how do you know when your baby’s swaddle is too warm for comfort?
Knowing the signs and symptoms if the baby is too hot is a MUST. This guide will walk you through the telltale signs that your baby may be overheating in its swaddle. Find the best tips to ensure it stays safe and snug, regardless of season.
Why Babies Overheat Easily
Being a new parent, it’s always overwhelming if your baby’s body temperature is expected in one minute, and the other minute they are turning red with extreme heat.
Infants and babies are not prone to overheating; their bodies are not fully developed to regulate the temperature. Their sweat glands are not developed properly, and they sweat less; therefore, the visible signs are more prominent. The chances of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) are pretty high.
Since they can’t do anything independently, you, as a parent, must check up on them more often and see if your baby is doing right.
Why Temperature Regulations Is Important For Babies
Picture this: it’s a winter night, and your baby is just two months old. You’ll try your best to save him from the cold. And that’s why you put on warm pajamas, wrap him in a swaddle, and cover him well in a blanket. And after some time, you hear your baby breathing rapidly.
When their body temperature is high, rapid breathing is their body’s response to cooling down.
However, it’s essential to maintain a balanced temperature in the surroundings and put on adequate layers to keep your baby’s temperature regular.
Apart from rapid breathing, there are multiple signs that the baby is too hot in the swaddle.
Signs That Your Baby May Be Too Hot in the Swaddle
Wondering how to know if the baby is too hot in a swaddle? There are visible signs that your baby is too hot, and these are:
- Wet hair from sweating
- Sweating
- Warm skin
- Rapid heartbeat
- Flushed cheeks
- Red ear lobes
- Lethargic and not responsive
- Vomiting
Learn more about how to know if your baby is too hot.
How to Check Baby’s Temperature Accurately
Although the visible signs can tell a lot about a baby’s condition, you can check the baby’s temperature to determine if it is too hot in a swaddle. To check this, you must first know their average body temperature.
Babies typically have a temperature of 97.5 degrees Fahrenheit (36.4 degrees Celsius). However, if they’re feverish or overheated, their temperature can reach 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) or more. Remember that a baby's typical body temperature can change during the day.
If you feel the baby is too hot, use a digital thermometer. If the baby is three months or older, use a forehead (temporal) thermometer to check the body temperature. However, if the baby is six months or older, you can use the ear (tympanic) thermometer to check the body temperature accurately.
You can use an oral thermometer to check the body temperature of a baby aged four or above.
How to Prevent Overheating While Swaddling
Aside from adjusting the thermostat to the perfect sleeping temperature, try not to overdress your kid in extra layers of clothing or headgear while they nap or go to bed. The following advice will help prevent your infant from overheating as they sleep:
A hat is NOT a good idea for your sleeping baby. Hats are dangerous because they prevent your kid from using their head as a little radiator to radiate additional heat. Furthermore, a hat could unintentionally slide over your child's face in the middle of the night and impair breathing.
Wrap the baby in a ventilated blanket. When the temperature is high, put your baby to sleep in a lightweight, breathable swaddle with a thermal overall grade (TOG) value of less than or equal to 1.0.
Choose a cotton swaddle and a long-sleeved bodysuit or footie pajamas during the cooler months. For icy sleep, use a lightly insulated swaddle.
Replace the swaddle with a sleeping sack if your baby is rolling over.
Don’t use heating pads or electric blankets on your infant. These expose newborns to electromagnetic radiation and cause them to overheat.
Keep the baby's cot away from the fire source. To prevent overheating, keep your child away from radiators, portable heaters, heating vents, and fires.
How to Prevent Overheating in Summer | How to Prevent Overheating in Winter |
Seek air conditioning | Dress you bub in layers |
Keep your baby hydrated | Use a blanket instead of coats |
Don’t cover the stroller | Don’t use heating pads and electric blankets |
But what do you do if the baby is too hot in the swaddle? You can pick one of the following options to regulate the body temperature:
- Remove the extra layers of clothes
- Offer fluids
- Shift to a cool room
- Sponge your baby in lukewarm water
Alternatives to Swaddling
Although they mimic the closeness of the womb, babies get warm in swaddls. Here are some alternatives for swaddles to keep the baby’s temperature at a safe limit:
Sleeping Sack
Wearable blankets, sometimes called sleep sacks, are ideal for infants who want to be warm and cozy but require more flexibility than a swaddle offers! These bodysuits are made of material that resembles blankets. They form a loose-fitting "sack" with two openings for your baby's arms and a hole for their head. Most use snaps, hooks, or loops to ensure they stay put and secure while you sleep.
Although babies can move their arms and legs more freely with wearable blankets, they still feel comfortable and have some movement restrictions.
Pajamas
Sure babies never seem to appreciate sleeping with extra layers, such as a sack or swaddle. Swaddling isn't necessary for these tiny ones; dressing them in only their pajamas is an acceptable option.
When choosing pajamas for older babies, consider the room's temperature. Parents should dress their young children in cotton pajamas since unfastened blankets in the crib provide a suffocation risk until the child turns one year old. Cotton retains warmth while being a breathable material. Depending on your baby's preferences and the room's temperature, you can choose between two-piece and footie pajamas.
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Conclusion
Here, we come to an end about telling if a baby is too hot in a swaddle! We often add so many layers to babies and forget that their bodies are not trained enough to regulate the temperature, which results in a sweaty baby.
To avoid all these issues, check the baby now and then and see their body temperature while he’s wrapped in a swaddle. You can opt for the alternative of swaddles to ensure rapid movement and average body temperature.
It’ll be overwhelming in the beginning. But trust me, with time, you’ll learn how to know if the baby is too hot to swaddle.
FAQs
Can a baby overheat in a swaddle?
Refrain from letting your baby get too hot; swaddling increases the risk of overheating. If you observe sweating, wet hair, flushed cheeks, heat rash, or quick breathing in the baby, it may be too hot for them. At bedtime and during naps, think about using a dummy.
What temperature is too hot for a baby swaddle?
Summertime swaddling is about more than simply swaddling; it's about making your little sunshine a calm haven. Make sure the room is at a comfortable temperature—ideally, between 68°F and 72°F (20°C and 22°C).
How can you tell if the baby is hot while sleeping?
If your infant feels warm to the touch or has perspiration on its back, neck, or stomach, you can tell it is overheating.
Red face and rashes, elevated heart rate and rapid breathing, lethargy and disorientation, and increased irritability.
How to keep baby cool while swaddling?
To keep baby cool while swaddled, follow these tips:
Choose breathable fabric: When the weather is hot, choose a lightweight, breathable fabric for your baby's swaddle. Cotton muslin is an excellent choice because it is breathable, lightweight, and soft.
Keep the swaddle loose: It is crucial to avoid swaddling your child too tightly during the summer.
Will the baby cry if it is too hot?
The temperature has the power to cry your baby. If they're too chilly or too hot, they could cry. You can search for specific symptoms to determine whether your baby's fussiness is related to the temperature. Wet hair, clammy skin, heat rash, and perspiration indicate the baby is overheating.
