Baby's temperature
Babys Temperature
The best method for taking your babies temperature is by placing a
thermometer into your baby's armpit (an axillary temperature). The
temperature should read 36.1 to 36.5 degrees C, this is normal.
When your baby is born it enters an environment that is
significantly colder than that he/she has been in. So precautions
must be taken to keep your baby warm. His/her head is 20% of the
body surface and is wet on birth and therefore must be dried. When
an adult is cold they compensate by shivering which raises their
body temperature. However a baby does not have this mechanism to
keep warm. Instead babies are born with a special kind of fat
called brown adipose tissue which the baby metabolises to produce
warmth.
However, perhaps due to these reasons babies are often kept too
warm, which can lead to dehydration. When going out on a cold
winters day the head, hands and feet must be covered.
FACTS & TIPS
- A full term baby can produce heat well, but is not as
good when it comes to conserving heat.
- Energy that is spent on keeping warm could be spent on
the vital process of growing.
- If babies are left to get cold it can be very serious and
they risk being chilled.
- A warm baby is relaxed and happy.
- At four weeks after birth a baby can risk getting too
hot, because at this stage they are better at conserving heat
rather than shredding it.
- Be weary not to put too many clothes on your baby to the
point where they sweat without the opportunity of evaporation from
passing air.
- A naked baby is known to be comfortable in an atmosphere
of 29 degree C. This would be the temperature that you would want
the water when bathing your newborn, but not if your baby is
dressed.
- Aim to dress your baby in three layers, a vest, nappy,
jumpsuit and blanket. This should keep your baby warm enough in a
room that is about 18-20 degrees C.
- Adjust your babies clothing for the surrounding
temperature or if you are indoors or out, or if it is night or
day.
- Babies can often sleep through being too cold or too hot.
Be sensitive to your baby's temperature changes and try to keep
them as consistant as possible.
- Outside temperature can be quite different to indoor
temperature. If it is cold outside, a cold wind can aggravate or
alternatively a warm day can be extra hot due to sunshine. In the
first weeks of your babies life use caution in these
situations.
A CHILLED BABY
- This baby will not be restless; instead he/she will be
quiet as it takes precious energy to cry.
- His / her hands and feet will feel cold to the touch as
do his/her chest and body.
- Extra clothes will not remedy this situation, the baby
needs to be warmed as he/she cannot produce the heat themselves.
Adding extra clothes will only insulate the cold.
- The baby should be taken into a warm room, and then given
a warm feed. Alternatively you could warm baby with your own warmth
by holding baby next to your own skin. Then you could add extra
clothing to insulate the heat.
- If your baby is left when he/she is chilled you risk a
condition known as "neonatal cold syndrome". The baby's vital
bodily functions will slow down and baby will be difficult to rouse
and will be floppy. A baby suffering from this condition will need
immediate medical attention and intervention.
SUMMER TIME AND HOT WEATHER
- Keep baby well hydrated and dress him/her in loose
clothing so they can sweat, which is a mechanism to cool the
body.
- Cotton is preferable to synthetic fabrics as cotton
allows for air circulation.
- Be mindful of the car. The sun can dramatically heat a
car - use sun blinds on the windows.
The following items generate heat that shouldn't be used on
babies, until their skin becomes less fragile.
1) Hot water bottles
2) Radiant heat
3) Sunburn
4) Light bulbs
5) Radiators