Contrary to what one might think, the fact that baby has cold hands does not necessarily mean that he is cold! Here are the signs that don’t lie, according to Alice Malbois, childcare nurse.
Unlike adults, infants cannot yet regulate their body temperature on their own, because their “thermoregulation system is not yet mature“, explains Alice Malbois, childcare nurse. It is therefore complicated for parents to know when baby is cold. However, “a baby remains sensitive to temperature changes. If he is too cold, he has difficulty raising his body temperature, and vice versa if he is too hot.underlines the expert. It is therefore essential to regularly monitor that baby’s body temperature remains within the normal range, “between 36.5°C and 37.5°C”.
Generally speaking, parents tend to touch the extremities as well as the tip of the child’s nose to decide whether to cover it more. Yet, “It is not recommended to refer to the temperature of the feet or hands which do not, on their own, reflect your little one’s body temperature”the specialist tells us. Clearly, contrary to what we often think, the fact that baby has cold hands does not necessarily mean that he is cold! So, what are the signs that can alert you?
“First, observe your baby. A change in attitude or behavior for no apparent reason (unexplained agitation, crying or calmness) can give you an indication of how comfortable he is. Then, if in doubt, you can assess their body temperature by placing a hand on their stomach, chest or neck.indicates Alice Malbois. Indeed, the neck is an indicator to watch: if it is cold, then baby is probably cold. Often, if this is the case, he will put himself in a ball position, curling up his neck. Baby’s skin may also be cold on his stomach or chest.
If you are going outside and it is very cold, “watch for warning signs: drowsiness, unusual crying, pale complexion, bluish lips”, she adds. If your child has one or more of these symptoms, warm him or her as soon as possible. It is also advisable to cover it well in cold weather: a sweater, a coat, gloves, a hat that covers both the ears and the neck and good shoes…
