Keeping Your Baby Warm: Why It Matters, What to Watch For, and How to Do It Safely
One of the biggest changes your baby experiences after birth is the shift from the warm, temperature-controlled womb to the open air of the outside world. For the first time, their body must regulate its own temperature—and that’s no small task.
Keeping your baby warm, especially in the first weeks of life, is more than a comfort measure. It’s a key part of supporting healthy development, weight gain, and even survival. In this article, we’ll explore how thermoregulation works in newborns, how to tell if a baby is too cold (or too hot), and practical ways to keep them warm—safely.
Why Warmth Is Essential for Newborns
Babies are born with immature temperature regulation systems. That means they can’t shiver to warm up, sweat to cool down effectively, or adapt to temperature changes like adults can. They lose heat more quickly due to:
A large surface area compared to their body mass
Thin skin and little body fat (especially preemies)
Underdeveloped ability to control blood flow and metabolism
When babies get cold, they burn a lot of calories just trying to stay warm. In fact, a baby’s primary use of energy in the first few days is maintaining body temperature. This is one reason some babies lose more weight than expected after birth—they’re burning precious energy reserves (like brown fat) to keep warm rather than using that energy to grow.
Signs Your Baby Might Be Too Cold
It’s not always obvious when a baby is chilly—many people assume crying means hunger or a wet diaper. But temperature discomfort is often the cause. Watch for:
Cool or cold hands, feet, back, or chest
Mottled (blotchy or blueish) skin tone
Unsettled behavior or frequent crying
Trouble latching or falling asleep while feeding
Lethargy or low energy
The chest and back are good places to feel for a baby’s true body temperature—hands and feet can sometimes feel cool even when baby is otherwise warm enough.
Can Babies Overheat?
Yes—but it’s much less common than people fear, especially in the early weeks. Many new parents worry about “overheating” when in reality, babies are far more likely to be underdressed than overdressed—especially in modern homes with air conditioning or cool climates.
Babies can overheat in situations like:
Being overdressed in a hot environment (like a car seat in summer)
Using electric blankets or heated sleep surfaces (not safe!)
Having a fever or infection
Signs of overheating include:
Hot, flushed skin
Rapid breathing
Sweating (though many newborns don’t sweat much)
Rash or prickly heat
Fussiness or seeming uncomfortable
A good rule of thumb: dress your baby in one more layer than you’re wearing and use breathable fabrics like cotton or wool that help regulate body temperature.
How to Keep Your Baby Warm (and Safe)
1. Skin-to-Skin Contact
One of the most effective ways to keep a newborn warm is skin-to-skin contact with a caregiver’s chest. Your body adjusts its temperature to warm or cool the baby—this is a biological superpower that humans (especially lactating people) naturally have.
Skin-to-skin also stabilizes heart rate, breathing, glucose levels, and boosts bonding and milk supply.
2. Layering with Natural Materials
Use hats and booties—we lose a lot of body heat through our heads and feet.
Wool is excellent for warmth because it’s breathable, naturally antimicrobial, and adjusts to temperature changes. Wool onesies, socks, or sleep sacks are great layering pieces.
Opt for base layers of cotton or bamboo, with a warmer layer on top as needed.
3. Avoid Drafts and Cold Surfaces
Keep baby off cold floors, changing tables, or near air vents. Use a warm blanket (not electric) or place a warm towel underneath them during changes.
4. Bedtime Warmth Tips
Use sleep sacks or wearable blankets instead of loose blankets.
Make sure the room is warm enough (ideal baby room temp is 68–72°F / 20–22°C).
Babies should always sleep on their back, on a firm mattress, with no loose bedding—even when staying warm.
Final Thoughts
Keeping your baby warm isn’t just about comfort—it’s about supporting their health, energy, and growth. It’s very unlikely you’ll “overheat” a baby just by dressing them well or using a hat and booties. In fact, underdressing is a much more common cause of fussiness, sleep problems, and early weight loss.
Trust your instincts, feel their chest and back, and err on the side of cozy warmth—especially in those precious early days outside the womb.
References
World Health Organization. (1997). Thermal protection of the newborn: a practical guide. Geneva: WHO.
https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/63986McCall, E. M., Alderdice, F., Halliday, H. L., Jenkins, J. G., & Vohra, S. (2010). Interventions to prevent hypothermia at birth in preterm and/or low birth weight infants. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (3).
https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD004210.pub4Bergström, A., Byaruhanga, R., Okong, P., & Perlman, J. (2005). Neonatal resuscitation using a laryngeal mask airway: a randomized controlled trial. Pediatrics, 116(3), e569-e573.
(Supports need for thermal stability during newborn care and resuscitation.)Beiranvand, S., Valizadeh, F., Hosseinabadi, R., & Pournia, Y. (2014). The effect of skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth on the rate of exclusive breastfeeding in the first month of life: a randomized clinical trial. International Breastfeeding Journal, 9(1), 1-7.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-014-0014-4Harding, J. E. (2009). Nutritional growth and thermoregulation in neonates. Archives of Disease in Childhood - Fetal and Neonatal Edition, 94(4), F287–F288.
https://fn.bmj.com/content/94/4/F287National Institutes of Health (NIH). (2016). Infant Temperature Regulation.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470260/American Academy of Pediatrics. (2022). Safe Sleep Practices.
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/sleep/Pages/Sample-Safe-Sleep-Policy.aspx
