A Guide to Baby's Temperature
As a parent there always seems to be something to worry about! A common concern in these cooler months is baby’s temperature and how to hit the ‘Goldilocks’ sweet spot – not too cold; not too hot!
Monitoring baby
Babies can’t regulate their own body temperature for the first six weeks, so it’s important to keep an eye on them and adjust their clothing and room temperature to suit.
First up – what is normal? Baby’s temperature should be around 37 degrees Celsius. A mild fever is a temperature higher than 38ºC and a high fever is anything over 39ºC.
A thermometer is a great addition to your home first aid kit – giving you a quick and accurate temperature reading. These will typically get used a lot throughout childhood, making them a great investment.
It’s a good idea to also take your baby’s temperature on a day when they’re content and well, so you can check their ‘normal’.
Babies under three months with a mild fever and babies between three and six months with a high fever (over 39ºC) should be taken to the doctor.
Another way to gauge baby’s temperature is to gently touch the back of their head or tummy – it should feel warm. (While they offer easier access, don’t go by their hands or feet, as these extremities are often cooler.)
Ideal temperature for a sleep space
It’s important to make sure the room where your baby is sleeping is at a comfortable temperature - around 18-20ºC.
If you have a heater, heat pump, or air conditioning with a thermostat, you can set it to 18ºC and it will flick on and off as the temperature changes throughout the night.
You can also monitor room temperature [along with humidity] with a Reer HygroTemp
Clothing and bedding choices are key
Merino is a natural wonder that’s perfect year-round – helping with temperature regulation. It has little pockets of air that keep warmth in on cold days, and cool baby down on a hot day.
Another great natural fibre for baby is organic cotton. It can eliminate moisture build up between clothes and your baby’s skin, to keep your them comfortable and dry.
Clothes for when you’re out and about
For daytime, opt for layers so you can add or remove a layer to keep baby comfortable - again sticking with cotton and merino.
If your baby falls asleep in the pram or car - yay! But both spaces can heat up and get airless quickly – so don’t forget to monitor their temperature. Think about ways to provide shade and airflow – and don’t leave them asleep in a car alone.
Bath time
Ideal water temperature for a bath is 37°C. It should feel warm and soothing, but not too hot for delicate skin. You can test the water with the inside of your wrist, or make it super easy with a Nuk bath thermometer or the colour-changing Pebbly.
