How to Choose the Best Weather For Babies and Find the Safe, Comfortable Temperature

I'm sure you've heard tons of stories about how babies are put in freezing cold strollers and then put outside where they start to cry. It's hot, it's too hot, the baby is crying and you feel like you're going to lose your mind - one moment these ideas seem perfect for a better result, but the next moment you realize that it would make more sense just take them in a slightly warmer area! Finding the right temperature for your baby is important - but as this blog explains, you'll also want good timing as well!

 

Why is it so Important to Keep Baby Warm?

 

There are many different reasons to keep your baby warm. Physiology explains that babies’ internal temperature changes as they get hotter and colder. Hyperthermia (too high a body temperature) causes harmful and potentially fatal consequences, such as cerebral edema (swelling of the brain), seizures, and even death. Hypothermia (too low a body temperature) can lead to problems like shallow breathing, coma, and even death. Babies are especially vulnerable to the dangers of hyperthermia and hypothermia because their skin is very thin and their core body temperature is not regulated by the autonomic nervous system like adults’ is. In fact, it's been shown that a baby's core temperature can increase 2-5 degrees Fahrenheit after only 10 minutes in the cold.

There are several things you can do to ensure your baby stays warm:

- Lay them in a cozy Blanket or Crib sheet

- Use a warmer formula or bath water

- Turn up the heat on the room they're sleeping in

- Dress them in layers so they can adjust their own body temperature

- Hold them often!

 

What are Signs of Breathing Difficulty?

 

If your baby is not breathing normally or seems to have difficulty breathing, contact his or her doctor immediately. Some common signs of difficult breathing include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, rapid breathing, and fruity-smelling breath. If you notice any of these signs in your baby, take him or her to the hospital for a check-up.

How Do I Know if Something's Wrong with My Baby’s Temperature?

 

As your little one starts to become mobile, you'll be noticing their temperature taking on a life of its own. Whether they're too warm or too cool, it's important to take note and make necessary adjustments. Here are four ways to determine if something's wrong with your child's temperature:

 

1. Check the forehead or skin color. A slightly rosy complexion is a good indicator that your baby isn’t overheating, but if their skin is pale or turning blue, they may be experiencing hypothermia. If their lips turn blue or white from cold, this is another sign your little one is in trouble.

 

2. Check for wet spots. If your baby is sweating and dripping wet despite being comfortable in a cool environment, they may be experiencing body heat overload and require more rest and Shade than normal.

 

3. Feel their pulse. Slowing down can help you feel a baby’s pulse more clearly-if it’s strong, they likely have good blood flow and are physically active; if it’s slow, there might be an health complication preventing that activity (like a stopped heart). And always remember to ask any other family members for their opinion!

 

4. Grooming. Does your baby want you to take off their clothes, even though they are clean? Or does your little one not want your help with personal hygiene, including hair and tooth brushing? Such behaviors could be telling that they’re not feeling well (or at least couldn’t care less what you think or say). If so, have the baby involved in grooming tasks next time out of the diaper: if they don’t cooperate, it could be an indicator that they aren’t feeling well.

 

5. Easy temperature changes aren’t a sign of being over heat tolerant (they could be feeling fine). If your baby needs to warm themselves up or cool down without undue fuss or fuss, their body needs have probably settled down. So unless there is something specific about what is needed, like a high fever for a cold, it could just be that your baby is done with the temperature issue for the time being, or winter rather than summer whether the temps are cooler out or not.

 

Choosing the Best Weather for Babies and Finding the Safe Temperature

 

When choosing the best weather for babies, it is important to keep in mind their safety. According to the National Weather Service, the safest temperature range for an infant is 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit. However, environmental factors can affect a baby's comfort and health in even colder or warmer temperatures.

 

To find the safe temperature for your newborn, the National Weather Service recommends taking into account several factors, such as wind chill, humidity levels, sunlight exposure, air quality and parent comfort. Additionally, infants should have light clothes to allow them to regulate their body temperature and avoid getting too cold if they fall asleep outdoors. Finally, parents should make sure they are comfortable with their chosen temperature and dress appropriately for the conditions.