Baby's armpit temp affected by arms over head?

[OnNo1]

I noticed my 12 week old's skin seemed cool to touch, he had been lying with his arms over his head for a couple of hours. I checked his armpit temp and it was low.

I put more layers on him and put his arms down and his armpit temp was within normal an hour or two later when I checked it again.

Is it possible that the thermometer was reading low due to his arms having been up for a while or do you think it was actually low? He has had some mild common cold symptoms and slept more than usual today but wasn't listless at all.

Do you mean that your baby was asleep and felt cold when you touched them?

To quickly check your baby’s temp use the back of your hand and place it on their tummy or their neck, as it’s normal for their hands and feet to be cold.

To check their temperature under their arm with a thermometer, you need to put the thermometer under their arm and put their arm down alongside their body.

Generally babies need one extra layer of clothing to what you’re wearing, so if you’ve got a T-shirt and jumper on the baby will need to wear a vest, all in one stretch suit/baby grow and a cardigan/jumper if they’re still cold add a blanket, or if they’re in bed replace the cardigan with a blanket.

www.nct.org.uk/baby-toddler/everyday-care/10-ways-care-for-your-newborn-baby

www.lullabytrust.org.uk/safer-sleep-advice/baby-room-temperature/

Armpit temperature isn't very accurate, you'd be better taking it under the tongue

He was asleep and when I checked his chest he felt a bit cool. I put the thermometer under his arm and put the arm down. It's just that his under arm was the same temp as his chest as his arm had been up.

He has always run quite warm to the touch. We have a thermometer in the bedroom. The temp in the bedroom is almost always around 18C.

Since the weather started cooling down he has needed one more layer than usual at the same bedroom temperature to be as warm as before. We usually have him in a growsuit, light growbag and a cellular blanket.

I am a bit nervous about putting the thermometer under his tongue as he is a couple of days short of 12 weeks old. The nhs says it's best to take temp under armpit in children under 5.
www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/how-to-take-your-babys-temperature/

Digital thermometer, use ear. Yes, underarm area a bit cold due to his arms being up.

Is it possible that the thermometer was reading low due to his arms having been up for a while or do you think it was actually low?

Yes, it will be - when his arms are up the skin can cool down much more quickly because the surface is exposed. We lose heat through exposed skin, and as babies have such a small surface area, the effect can be quite dramatic.

The temp in the bedroom is almost always around 18C even in summer?

It does sound right that because the weather has got colder he’s needing extra layers.

I’d also check the tog rating of the growbag that you’re using and the manufacturers guidance as you may need to add a vest or change tog ratings as the weather is getting colder, however you need to remember it’s guidance that they are proving and that all babies are different. It’s also easier to add a cellular blanket as they’re easier to remove if baby gets too warm (just remember that your babies feet need to be at the foot of the cot and that the blanket needs to be tucked in at elbow length, that way the covers won’t cover his head).

Also yes your correct that babies temperature is taking up their arms.

Blahblahblahnanana thanks, I didn't realise there were temp guidance for growbags.

Our bedroom has been about 18C for over a month now. We are new in the house this year and don't know how the temp stays so consistent day and night. It's the only room in the house that does.

I really wouldn't worry about it too much. Too cool is better than too hot, and 18 degrees is the right temp for the bedroom. If he's sleeping happily and is only slightly on the cool side, he's probably just fine. My DD always 'ran cold' and now she's a toddler she is always insisting she doesn't need a coat/jumper/whatever!

(Oh, and btw you have reminded me of how adorable they are at this age. Hope you are getting lots of snuggles!)