As a parent, the difficulty of making sure your child is comfortable and happy is neverending.
Parents are very dedicated to their children, whether it be finding the best mattress, the right clothes, or the proper shoes. With that being said, the temperature of your child is often neglected.
Knowing warning signs that your child’s temperature is too high is crucial in avoiding risks. Being aware of how to spot these goes a long way in resolving issues
What is the ideal temperature for your infant?
12-15 hours of uninterrupted sleep is ideal for infants, as sleep statistics show. Interrupted sleep leads to all kinds of problems both for you and your child.
According to The American Academy of Paediatrics, a healthy temperature for your child is somewhere between 97 Fahrenheit and 100.4 Fahrenheit. Anything above this range is grounds for poor health and bad sleep.
What is the ideal room temperature for your infant?
Altering the temperature of your infant’s bedroom can help your overly hot child get a better night’s rest with less waking. Be sure to confirm with a medical professional that there isn’t an illness at play for sleep disturbance.
As stated by The Lullaby Trust, optimum room temperature for most children is between 61 and 68 Fahrenheit. Of course, this will vary from infant to infant, as it does with adults.
Direct airflow and drafts can disturb a sleeping infant, so make sure to keep your child away from them.
When in doubt, check your child’s temperature with a thermometer. If needed, remove a layer if they’re hot/clammy, then check their temperature again after a few minutes.
Closing curtains and blinds and opening a window in a room is one of the most effective way to keep your child cool during the warmer months. This is great for regulating temperature control and can lead to better sleep.
During the winter/cooler months, you’ll want to place one of their vests beneath a sleepsuit to trap body heat between the layers. Covering your child up in multiple layers will cause them to feel restricted and overheat, which are bad for sleep. Hot water bottles are also health hazards, so don’t place one in their bed.
Electric blankets are also a health risk, so keep them away from radiators to avoid burns. As the skin of your child is four times thinner than an adult’s skin, as stated by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, you’ll want to be extra cautious.
Your infant is at a much higher risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) when overheating, so be ever cautious about your child’s temperature.
Helpful temperature tips for effective sleep
These three helpful tips on keeping your child cool and comfortable will be of great benefit to you.
Minimalistic Cots: You may want to load up your child’s cot with soft bedding and toys, but this is a huge choking hazard. Opt instead for a breathable, lightweight blanket, which can be tucked beneath the mattress, to help keep the cold at bay and your child at a comfortable temperature.
Remain Attentive: Signs of overheating include flushed cheeks, fast breathing, heat rash, damp hair, sweating, and restlessness. Keep a vigilant eye on these to keep your infant safe and comfortable.
Don’t Apply Too Many Layers: The chance of your infant getting SIDS increases if you add too many layers or covers. In place of that, use a sleep sack if applicable. Excessive layers can especially be problematic if your child has an illness such as a fever, which will lead to an abnormal body temperature
If you are ever in doubt of what to do, don’t feel afraid to do more research online or to ask your pediatrician. It’s better to be safe than sorry, so don’t take a chance on anything you’re unsure of, as it could result in a fair amount of unrest for your baby and you.
Keeping your baby safe and sound can feel like a minefield – especially for new parents. But with the right advice, you can help your little one rest a little easier.