Your new bundle of joy is finally here with you, and many questions are running through your mind. As a new parent, you need everything to be perfect for your little angel - from clothes to the environment the baby will be staying in. Babies can't control their temperatures, and that's why, as a parent, you need to check and make sure to keep your baby safe, warm, and comfortable.

How do you make sure the baby's room is set at the right temperature, whether it's cold or hot outside? How can you know if your baby is cold or hot? This article will answer all questions you may have when it comes to keeping your baby and his nursery at the right temperature. 

What's the right temperature for your newborn?

Normal temperature for your baby is taken through a rectal reading because it's the most accurate means of determining babies' temperature. It should read between 98 and 100 degrees. Anything higher than that is considered a fever. 

When the baby's temperature is abnormal, it's usually a sign of illness, and you should book an appointment with your pediatrician. A stuffy nose or coughing may also cause temperature spikes in your baby.

Underarm readings, when compared to rectal readings, are usually lower by 1 or 2 degrees. Oral readings taken by a pacifier thermometer are generally lower by a half degree than the rectal readings. Babies younger than six weeks with temperatures higher than 100 degrees require urgent care, and you should contact your doctor immediately.

What's the right temperature for the baby's nursery?

When selecting the right temperature for your baby's room, it shouldn't be too hot or too cold. If you feel like the room is too hot, then it will be too hot for the baby also, and if you feel the room is too cold, then your baby will be freezing, too.

With that said, establish that the room's temperature is between 68 and 72 degrees. It's known to be a good range of temperature in the winter and summer. When the baby gets too hot and is overheating, it can increase your little one's risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). On the other hand, when it's cold, it's uncomfortable for the baby, and they won't be able to sleep comfortably.

It's also advisable not to put air conditioners or extra heaters in your baby's room. However, fans are okay and are helpful when it comes to circulating air in the room. They are known to help reduce the risk of SIDS.

If you have a preemie baby, you may need to turn the thermostat to 72 degrees, mainly during the first few weeks after you've brought him from the hospital. It's known that preterm babies find it even harder to regulate their body temperatures.  

If it gets too cold, they will expend a lot of their calories trying to warm up their tiny bodies, and at this stage, gaining body weight is essential for their overall health.

Dressing your newborn for the weather

When it comes to choosing the best clothes for your newborn for the weather, layering is the best method. Dress him up in onesies, bodysuits, or rompers that are warm and comfortable. Browse for some fantastic options for all weather conditions at the bitsy bug boutique. When you want to cool him up, you can eliminate a few layers, and if you need to warm him up, you add on the layers.

You can also cover his head using hats because babies lose a lot of heat through the head. It works best for both seasons. When it's cold, it will warm up their little head, and if it's sunny outside, you can put on a hat to protect the baby from the sun.

If you're leaving the house when it's chilly out, make sure to cover him well, and also remember to lose the bulky clothing when you come back inside to avoid the baby overheating.  

The term TOG and what it means

TOG is a term used as a unit of measurement to determine how warm a piece of blanket or clothing is. The higher the TOG for an item of clothing, the warmer the garment will be for you. For example, a summer blanket may have a TOG of only 1.

The term originated from Britain in the 1940s and is commonly used in other countries. In recent times, we slowly see its use in the US. It's found in duvets, swaddles, and more.

Currently, the American Academy of Pediatrics has no recommendations for what TOG baby's blankets or clothing should be. But then, heavy clothing can reach 2.5 TOG, while for lighter summer wear, they can range from 0.5 to 1 TOG.

How to dress the baby for bedtime

During bedtime, dress your baby in one extra layer compared to other older children. For example, you can dress him in a sleeper onesie and a sleep sack. This would provide enough comfort and warmth for the night.

If it's warm outside, make sure the outfits are made of lighter breathable material, and if it's cold, you can add on an extra long-sleeved onesie under his sleeper.

You can also swaddle your baby with a blanket when getting him to sleep. It's known to help the baby sleep longer. However, watch out for these safety tips when swaddling your newborn. 

• When using a sleep sack for swaddling, make sure it isn't too large. The additional fabric could cause entanglement. Choose one that fits the baby perfectly.

• Once your baby is grown and can roll over, swaddling with blankets and sleep sacks aren't ideal at this stage. This is because they cause suffocation. Opt for sleep sacks made especially for older children, which allows for their arms to be free.

• Don't swaddle your baby too tightly. It will make them very uncomfortable, and also, be sure not to tighten the swaddle around the hips and legs. It could cause developmental problems around the hips and thighs.

• Always make sure that when laying your baby to rest, they should always sleep on their backs to avoid SIDS.

Are socks, hats, blankets, and sleep sacks necessary for the baby when sleeping?

Swaddle blankets can be used to wrap the baby during nap time. Sleep sacks are the preferred choice by many parents to swaddle babies because they are easy to manage and can be put on over sleepers.

Socks and hats aren't necessary for babies when you're putting them down to sleep because they will make the baby too hot, increasing the risk of SIDS. When placing your baby down to sleep, make sure there are no toys or additional pillows on his crib.

If your baby is sick, what would be the ideal room temperature?

When your baby has a fever, it's best to dress him in fewer layers and lighter clothes because this will help him cool down.

If they have a cold, it's best to keep their room at a consistent temperature, even though cooler temperatures would be more comfortable if the baby has trouble breathing or has a stuffy nose.

How to tell if the baby is too hot or too cold

The easiest way to check the baby's temperature is to place your hand at the nape of their neck. If they feel cold to your touch, then they are feeling chilly. If they are sweating heavily, then the baby is feeling hot.

Another way to know if the baby is too warm is they may have flushed cheeks and sweating. A baby that's overheating may also have rapid breathing. If a baby is too cold, they become inactive, fussy, and their hands and feet feel cold as well.

The risks associated with your baby becoming overheated or too cold

When babies are feeling too hot, they start becoming restless and irritable. They also run the risk of getting a fever, and in extreme cases, it can cause heatstroke. Try to ease the baby's restlessness by removing layers of clothing to cool him. You can also wipe the baby's forehead with water to cool them down. Please note that you shouldn't use cold water, but warm water with a piece of cloth. If the baby doesn't improve rapidly, call your pediatrician immediately.

When babies are feeling too cold, they usually become unresponsive. If your baby is feeling cold to the touch or lethargic, please call your doctor immediately.

Conclusion

Babies won't tell you if they are feeling too hot or cold, but you can easily tell by how they are behaving. They may act too fussy and seem uncomfortable. If it's cold outside and you're feeling cold, then your baby is feeling cold, too. For newborns, they usually need an extra layer more than you. Also, check on the baby to avoid overheating and the risks that come with it. Follow these tips to make sure your baby is at the right temperature and is safe and comfortable.