You may worry that your new baby is not warm enough, but a few commonsense precautions will keep him comfortable and safe. Remember that babies can easily become too hot; this could lead to heat rash and is also a factor in crib death (SIDS).
- A great deal of body heat is lost through a bare head; make sure your baby always wear a hat when you take him outdoors.
- Very young babies have trouble regulating body heat, and should be undressed only in a well-heated room and out of drafts
- The baby’s room should be at a constant temperature, and the amount of covering he needs will depend on this temperature
- If your baby is cold you may need to warm him up. Adding a layer of clothes is not enough in itself; you need to put him in a warmer place first so he can regain his normal body temperature, or hold him close to share your baby heat
- Never leave your baby to sleep in the sun or close to a source of direct heat such as a radiator
- Wrap your baby up if you take him outdoors, but remove outdoor clothes once you bring him inside again; otherwise, he won’t be able to cool down efficiently.
