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Original poster

Newborn temperature

11 replies

Marfs10 · 07/04/2023 20:12

Everyone talks about feeling the chest/ back of a baby to check the temperature. I know it sounds stupid but will a baby that is too hot feel overly hot? My DS (4 weeks) almost always feels warm and I worry that I won’t know the difference between just right and too hot!

I know it sounds like a ridiculous thing to say but I’m a FTM that always has cold hands so I’m worried I’ll miss the signals and risk him overheating.

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CindersAgain · 07/04/2023 20:14

If you’re worried they have an actual temperature, use a thermometer.

The feeling the temperature thing is just to see if they feel warm enough. Back should feel warm, hands can be cool.

CucumberCool · 07/04/2023 20:23

You'll know, trust your instincts. Also as pp said get a thermometer that you can use to put your mind at rest.

Your doing great, enjoy this time if you can x

Peekingovertheparapet · 07/04/2023 20:29

You’ll know. A child who is burning up feels just like that. I do recommend a thermometer, but just FYI, on small babies the in ear ones have a tendency to under read.

My DC2 (who is now a healthy 6yo) was admitted to hospital at 24 days with a UTI. He was unbearably hot, and would not stop screaming. He was very definitely unwell.

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Original poster

Marfs10 · 07/04/2023 20:53

Thank you for the replies.

I do have a thermometer, in this instance it’s more to do with sleeping temperature. Advice can be conflicting and knowing what to dress them in is so hard.

Last night I followed the recommendations that came with the baby sleeping bag (have used blankets up until this point) but when he woke in the night, his chest felt cool. I’m just worried that if I add another layer I’ll tip him into the ‘too hot’ category.

@CucumberCool like you say, I just need to learn to trust my instincts!

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Olivia199 · 07/04/2023 20:56

Marfs10 · 07/04/2023 20:53

Thank you for the replies.

I do have a thermometer, in this instance it’s more to do with sleeping temperature. Advice can be conflicting and knowing what to dress them in is so hard.

@CucumberCool like you say, I just need to learn to trust my instincts!

I fretted so much over sleeping temperatures. I had a Sept baby so just going into colder months. I had a room thermostat and three different charts of what I could dress her in based on temperature and honestly worried so much.
In the end I went cooler rather than warmer because I worried less about that. If they're cold, they'll absolutely let you know about it.
When she woke crying I'd try milk, burps, cuddles and nappy and failing that, a layer added. If the layer fixed it, she was cold! It takes some getting used to for sure but you'll absolutely know when they're too hot. They can also feel a bit sticky when they're too wrapped up.
You've got this mama! It does become less of a thing, I promise. But my god I remember those days!

Squamata · 07/04/2023 21:03

An actual temperature feels too hot, like touching the side of a mug of tea. Noticeably hot.

In your shoes I'd both calm down and trust my instincts, and get a decent thermometer because you'll definitely need it at some point in DC's childhood!

Original poster

Marfs10 · 07/04/2023 21:05

Thank you @Olivia199, it’s reassuring to know that you worried about it too. I think I’ll do the same, layers are easy enough to add and will give me some peace of mind

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Hazelnuttella · 07/04/2023 21:07

Agree an actual temperature is really noticeable, will feel different to normal.

He should feel warm. Like if you put your hand under your clothes onto your own chest it would be quite warm compared to your hand.

Hiddenvoice · 07/04/2023 21:19

I’m a ftm too and felt the same when my baby moved into a sleeping bag. I felt I was constantly checking her chest to feel if she is warm enough. What helped me was checked the tog of the sleeping and and matching it to her room temperature. My baby sleeps in a 2.5 tog right now as it’s still quite cold. I have a thermometer in her room that shows me the temperature so I can adjust the heating to make it warmer for her or turn it down. I find if she is getting cold then she wakes up a lot. I also use an under the arm thermometer to check her temp if I’m really worried. She had her first temperature recently and I knew straight awah as she was hot when I picked her up.

Olivia199 · 08/04/2023 08:08

Marfs10 · 07/04/2023 21:05

Thank you @Olivia199, it’s reassuring to know that you worried about it too. I think I’ll do the same, layers are easy enough to add and will give me some peace of mind

It was the one thing I got hugely fixated on, felt like I'd never just get it and feel relaxed. It's miles easier now. I stopped worrying so much about the perfect temperature when her room was hitting the 30's in the summer!

DragonbornMum · 08/04/2023 11:17

Too hot = sweaty/burning hot. Every baby is different but my son liked being toasty warm (as opposed to burning hot).

When he was a newborn I would quite often take the poor baby's temp with a thermometer as it was the height of summer. After a few weeks I got used to what "toasty warm" felt like on his neck/back and didn't need the thermometer to check.

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