ADVICE PLEASE - Cold baby

[mishw]

I don't know if anyone is still on here but can you please advise me about a cold baby.

All the books have advice on what to do if your baby has a high temperature, but what about if they are cold.

My DD is 11 weeks old and feels very cold - I took her temperature about an hour ago (35.9), she's wrapped up warmly (fleecy sleepsuit, wrapped in a blanket and lying on me also wearing a fleece). I've just taken it again and it has gone up to 36, but is there anything else I should be doing? I'm worried of overheating her if I put on too manylayers and that also causing problems

It isn't uncommon for babies to feel cold aroung their face and hands. Have you felt down the back of her neck. That tends to be a warm place. How are you checking her temp? Is it forehead strips or in her ear?

Checking the temp in her ear.

I also feel that the back of her neck is quite cold, my DH disagrees, and he's right in the way that it isn't as cold as her face, but no where near as warm as it usually is - just not sure if I'm right to worry or if I'm over reacting.

Earlier on this evening (8.30pm onwards) she was crying/screaming which is also very unlike her, only way to settle her was in my arms - she's been absolutely fine the rest of the day

Make sure when you take her ear temperature that it is the ear that has been lying against you. Better to unwrap her, place her against you then wrap a blanket round you both. That means your body heat can reach her. Is the house cold? Put a hat on as well. Is she feeding OK?

Thanks Mears - I was taking the temp in the ear not next to me, I will also try putting her next to my skin and the hat -_ I probably won't sleep properly now for fear of over heating her!!!! Oh to be a mother!

Thanks for getting back to me so quickly.

Well she's better now, I did call NHS Direct this morning to try and get some advice and was pretty much made to feel like I was wasting their time - a bit of reassurance wouldn't have gone a miss but there you go.

Luckily my mum was able to contact another nurse for me who gave some very good advice and said that I wasn't over reacting and it was unusual - just basically keep an eye on her, but thank you for making me feel better last night Mears.