Losing my mind about room temperature!!

[BethanyJade4]

Hi everyone! I had my first baby 11 days ago and I literally feel like I’m going mad with worrying about the room temperature in our house! Me and baby stayed in hospital for a few days as I had an infection and the room we were in was soooo uncomfortably warm ( even the hospital staff were commenting about the heat in my room) so I only had one blanket on baby as I thought he would be warm enough but when the midwife took his temp it was a little bit low despite her saying he actually felt sweaty?! So we basically got told off and made to put two thick blankets back on him. Ever since we came home I’ve kept on top of the thermostat making sure the temp stays between 18 and 20 ( as advised by midwives) and only have a cellular blanket over him ( as I was told the blanket I had on him at home was too thick and actually the equivalent of 4 blankets apparently) but I worry because the room just feels quite cold to me and his dad however his neck and belly always feel warm. Yesterday I took his temperature with an ear thermometer and it was 35.7!!!! Which sent me into a spin because according to the internet that’s hypothermic! However at the time of this low temp his tummy, neck and head were really warm?

Please please somebody help me before I lose my mind!!! Does any body else’s baby have a low temp with thermometer but actually feel warm? And is it ok for the room to feel chilly to me as long as baby is warm? My boyfriend says the midwife told us to just maintain the 19 degree temperature and add an extra layer to ourselves if we feel cold but I don’t remember her saying this because I can’t focus on anything through being a nervous wreck about the temperature!!! Xxx

What everyone else has said but also ear thermometer readings are not very accurate in tiny babies as you can't get it in far enough so are actually taking the temperature outside of the ear which will be cooler. Get an under arm thermometer, it will give you better readings. You can generally use ear ones from 4 months plus unless baby very small or tiny ears, but if in doubt under 1 use under arm.

Your issue here is definitely your anxiety. I've been there, for me it was where baby slept. However, having had 4dcs I can honestly say in 16yrs of parenting I've never routinely checked their temperatures or that of the room. Use common sense. And as others have said a tympanic will not be accurate as a newborn's ear is too tiny. I work for the ambulance service and we never rely on those readings. I hope you can relax soon and enjoy your baby.

OP it's partly your anxiety but I do want to validate it's really hard having a winter firstborn. It's freezing outside but they are togged up in their pram, the car is cold but they're snuggly in the car seat. They may be toasty whilst you are freezing etc. Tbh I put a digital scanner type thermometer in the pram next to dd to appease my anxiety but I don't necessarily recommend it!! I did read somewhere that in the absence of a handy thermometer- when you kiss your baby it's a good way of sensing with your lips whether they're warm or cold as your lips are more reliable than your hands which may be hot or colder than normal body temp. Also slip a hand down the back on the inside of their vest is a good way of getting an idea if you're out and about

I also recommend a grobag when he’s a bit older

I think it's mostly your anxiety talking, and I do get it, but I think you are worrying too much.

Bear in mind that for most of human history we've had no thermometers, no central heating. Babies will be sleeping in colder conditions, warmer conditions, some will be very warmly dressed, others very lightly, and for the vast majority it makes zero difference. It makes a small difference on a population level, and it's worth being vaguely sensible about, but not worth this much angst.

I've no idea of the temperature of my babies room right now. If feels vaguely comfy to me, and baby seems content. I appreciate with newborns (and especially your first) that you second guess yourself, but as long as it's nothing extreme, you'll be fine.