How do you tell is your baby is cold?

Question

How do you tell is your baby is cold if you don't have a thermometer with you? Do you feels his neck or arm pits?

Answer 1

I had always heard to 'dress baby in one more layer than is comfortable for you'. This, I think, is silly- 'layer' is not a well-defined term. I can see moms putting baby in two pairs of shorts, you know?

Recently, I read that you should put your hand between baby's shirt and tummy for a guideline:

Hot/sweaty tummy: remove some clothing
Cool tummy: add some clothing
Warm tummy:baby is just right.

This is the system I have used with my third munchikin, and I have felt much more comfortable with it than with the guesswork I had to do with my older two as babies.

Answer 2

I used to dress my kids in the same weight clothes as I was wearing. If they were sleeping or just sitting (too young to move) I would keep a receiving blanket over them. Once they become mobile, their activity would keep them warm. Generally speaking, if you touch their arms and legs, and they feel chilly to the touch, cover them. If they are active, put a little sweater or sweatshirt on the baby. A common misconception is that baby's need to be covered warmly. In a child that is ill, you need to be sure they dont get chilled but don't over dress them. (I did this once and the dr said that her clothes encouraged a fever)..oopsy!! as for checking for a fever, It's best to feel the arpits. AND if your child does have a fever, there are major veins that travel under the arms. Using a somewhat cool (NEVER COLD!!!!) towel will help reduce fever the quickest. Or a tepid bath.. but it really only works if the water level is up to the pits.. A lot of people don't know that fact..they just place a baby in a few inches of water.. that is a waste of time.

Answer 3

There is a difference between the baby's temperature being too low and being cold. If you just want to know if you should put another layer on your baby, check the back of their necks. If you think your baby's temperature is dangerously low, take their temperature rectally. 97.4 or below is low.

Answer 4

From what I have learned while being around newborns. If you have a newborn and they start to hiccup that usually means that they are cold. Right when you swaddle them it goes away. Or you touch there feet or head and sence that they are cold usually means that they baby is cold since we lose warmth in our feet and heads first. Hope this helps.

Answer 5

I just read in baby magazine that to tell if a baby is cold is if his/her face and neck to cool to the touch. Also the baby will be cranky and crying because he/she is uncomfortable.

Answer 6

Usually just feeling their hands, feet, or face should give you a pretty good idea. If any part of them is cold, then bundle them up.
However, make sure that you don't over-bundle them as that's not good either. If they're over-heated, their cheeks will be warm & red. Their torso may also feel quite warm as well.

Answer 7

you can tell by feeling the babies hands, cheeks if they are cold then your baby is cold, if your babies lip is chattering its cold if it looks a lil blue its cold. normaly you should dress your baby how you dress but add an extra layer, like start with a onsie and the shirt pants and then socks.

Answer 8

Cold hands and feet, cold face, quivering lower lip, doesn't sleep well.

Answer 9

Are tey shivering or there nose running, if they have layers on or a nice blanket there fine.

Answer 10

are you cold? generally babies (newborns) need one extra layer of clothing than you do.