Baby and Small Child Body Temperature Regulation – What Every New Parent Should Know

Your baby or small child may be struggling to regulate their own body temperature without you even knowing!  If you're a new parent or an experienced parent in a new environment, you may not be ready to read the signs associated with body temperature regulation problems in your little boy or girl.

Why is winter harder on your little child's body temperature?

In the womb you did all the body temperature regulation for your baby.  A lovely, steady 37.7 for nine months of seasonal changes….  Once out though, your little one has only a limited capacity to regulate his own body temperature.  Babies are unable to shiver, which is our body's first defence against cold.

Brown Adipose Tissue

Your baby has special tissue called Brown Adipose Tissue (BAT) that's similar to that found in a hibernating bear!  It's insulating tissue that is your baby's best defence against cold.  Unfortunately, there are two major problems with BAT.  Firstly, it's only added in the final weeks of pregnancy, so preemie babies often lack BAT at birth.  Secondly, it's a resource hound, that is, it takes up a lot of oxygen and glucose to keep your baby warm.  This can be stressful on your little one's system.

Signs of trouble with your baby or toddler's temperature regulation

In addition to fussing and crying, look for these signs that your baby or toddler's problems may relate to his body temperature:

·        Curling into the foetal position

·        Lethargy

·        Reluctance to feed

·        Cold feet and hands

·        Blotchy skin

·        A body temperature below 96.4F (35.8C)

Why "rugging up" isn't always the answer at night

Baby sweat glands aren't fully developed and only the head, neck, hands and feet can sweat.  Wrapping your baby in heavy blankets or synthetic blankets can cause your baby to overheat.  Too-hot body temperatures have been associated with cot death so it's vital to monitor this carefully.

If your home isn't heated, a radiant heater next to an open cot or bed is the best way to regulate your baby's temperature.  This should be coupled with warm, comfortable natural fibre pyjamas or baby sleep bags.

Why Natural Fibres for children's pyjamas and clothes?

Cotton, wool, hemp, bamboo and other natural fibres "breathe" if a child overheats, allowing heat to escape and "wicking" away moisture to prevent dermatitis and bed sores.  Natural fibres trap air in their layers which in winter, is warm.  This keeps your child warm in winter but not forcing him to overheat like a plastics based synthetic could.  They're also flame resistant where synthetic pyjamas may "melt" to your baby in the event of a fire.

Choose bamboo, hemp or cotton kid's pyjamas and blankets in cool to cold environments and heavier, woollen blankets in cold to very cold environments.  Couple these with a radiant heat source and monitor the room's temperature with a room thermometer.  If your baby or small child seems to be having trouble with temperature regulation, see your doctor as it could be a sign of an underlying problem.

So why are synthetic fibre kids clothes even on the market?

Synthetic fibres are cheap and often don't need ironing.  They last longer (plastic does) and are more likely to keep their shape.  This means that they're a cheap, easy option.  Choosing very well made, high quality cotton products will mean that they last the whole winter long and still look cute as a button at the end.  If cost is a concern, well made natural fibre clothes will return a surprisingly good resale value. 

Monitoring your baby's body temperature regulation is a vital part of being a new parent or moving your little boy or girl to a new, colder environment.  Don't forget that all children can feel cold more than adults, so it's vital to monitor this every winter.