Why Your Baby’s Room Temperature Matters

From the moment a baby is born, a parent begins to worry.  Is he hungry?  Is she cold? Is he eating enough? Is he eating too much?  Should the spit up look like that? Is that rash serious? Where should he go to preschool? Is she doing too much extra curricular activities, or not enough?  The list can go on and on.  A parent only wants to do their best for their child, and it can see like there are choices and opinions around every corner.

One thing we want to look at today is the room temperature of the nursery.  I’m sure you’ve heard all sorts of things regarding what temperature the room should be at, such as:

• The widely recognized recommendation for infant room temperature is between 68-72 degrees in order to prevent SIDS
• Baby sleep experts advise cool dark rooms in order to facilitate good sleeping habits
• Renowned pediatrician Dr. Harvey Karp tells us that hot babies are restless (and sleepless) babies.
• Your mother-in-law is sure that the baby is freezing and wants to dial the thermostat up 5 degrees.

I clearly remember agonizing over the baby monitor while my first child was sleeping wondering if the temperature displayed was accurate, and whether or not I should change the thermostat, change his pajamas, add a fan to the room etc….  The simple concept of room temperature suddenly seemed so overwhelming–especially as a new parent.

While we don’t want to overcomplicate matters further, the truth is that there are some serious issues to consider when it comes to a baby’s room temperature.  In the winter months, it is important to not let the room get too cold.  For the purpose of this post, we will focus on a cold room temperature.

Dangers of a Cold Room Temperature for Babies

While cold, dry bedrooms can irritate nasal passages and make coughs worse, one of the biggest dangers of a cold bedroom for babies is hypothermia.

Hypothermia, defined as when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it, is especially dangerous for infants/young children and elderly.  A baby is considered to be hypothermic if its rectal temperature is below 95 degrees Fahrenheit.

Spotting hypothermia in a young baby can be difficult, because they don’t begin to shiver to produce body heat until around 6 months of age.  Signs of hypothermia in young babies include drowsiness, weak cry, not eating or drinking, and cold red skin.

If you suspect that your baby may be suffering from hypothermia, remove him or her from the cold room immediately.  Try to warm them up through skin to skin contact, warm blankets and warm clothes.  Call 911 immediately if the child is unconscious, or if you have any other concerns.

When considering keeping your infant warm, don’t forget that loose blankets are not recommended in the crib until at least a year of age. Instead, use sleep sacks or adjust the thickness of the pajamas.

Making the Room Just Right

It doesn’t actually have to be that scary or complicated to make sure that the baby’s room is at a safe temperature that is comfortable and conducive to good sleep.  While experts suggest 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit, the sleep experts at Taking Cara Babies explain, “Still not confident? Look at your baby. Is he flushed or sweaty? If so, remove a layer! Put short sleeves on instead of long sleeves. Feel your baby’s chest, back, and tummy. Does she feel cold? If so, add a layer! It’s that easy!”

Though this post narrowed in on the potential dangers of letting the thermostat drop too low in a baby’s room, it is also important to make sure the temperature is not too high.

Looking for more information about how to make your child’s room as safe and comfortable as possible?  Contact us at FLAME Heating, Cooling, Plumbing, and Electrical to learn more about our residential heating and cooling services.