Can a baby overheat in a sling?

[stargirl1701]

LO has been crying all evening. Just popped her in my Kari-Me sling. She is wearing a vest and babygrow. She fell asleep 2 min after going into the sling. My DH is very concerned she'll get too hot and be at risk of SIDS. I didn't think so but I'm not really sure. Help!

Sounds perfect unless your house is roasting? Assuming she is very young? Her head will be resting on your magic temp regulating sternum area is one theory too. I am very jealous

She is 13 weeks. The heating isn't on. It's probably about 18 degrees.

She'll be the same temperature as you, surely? Pop a finger on the back of her neck periodically to check, just in case :)

I really think that's unlikely unless you are likely to fall asleep and then there is the danger of suffocation. Awake, you are ideally placed to respond to her needs on the Kari-me (fond memories do mine DD now 5) . Really she is much safer next to you than in a cot. Nothing against cots . Used for both my kids. But if you are feeling at all concerned about your baby then slings are lovely.

Not much chance of falling asleep - still pacing the floor

as long as her face is free she should be fine. feel her neck if unsure, if that is sweaty she's too warm (unlikely).
sids also unlikely as the closeness and constant stimulation (your breathing/voice/stomach noises/movements) will remind her to breathe.

Of course they can, but as long as you stay aware of her temperature she'll be absolutely fine. You'll notice IME if she gets too sweaty (which is the first sign of overheating).

With a vest and babygro I wouldn't worry about it at all and just poke a finger down the back of her neck periodically to check she isn't sweating.

Slings are great as Obama said because you're very aware of them, much more so than you would be if she was sleeping in a cot or moses basket.

If you're worried or she does start to feel hot, usually they go into a deeper sleep around 20 minutes or so after they first fall asleep where you can transfer them fairly easily onto another surface - some babies seem to have an inbuilt sensor, though!

If I'm honest I used to carry DS around for hours and hours and never worried too much about whether he was asleep or not.

I normally carry her in the sling during the day when DH is t work. It never occurred to me till he started fretting tonight.

They can - just keep checking.

Plenty of women in countries a great deal hotter than the UK carry their babies in slings all day without issues.

As long as you haven't put her in loads of clothes and a hat and then put her in the sling she should be fine.

Your heart-beat and breathing will also help her regulate hers.

My DD pretty much transferred from uterus to sling and didn't get out for another 6 months! We co-sleep as well.

I did notice that she prefers not to have too many clothes on - if we went out during the day I put her in a cotton baby grow and then then my coat had a zip-in panel that went over her head and I'd stick a hat on. That way she had the heat from my body and the coat, but was never too hot. At night she only likes thin pjs and will lie on top of the covers (while I shiver under the duvet).