How to Keep Babies From Overheating

Because overheating is believed to contribute to instances of sudden infant death syndrome, it is important that parents know how to dress a child. When a child becomes overheated, her brain might not react to other environmental dangers, suggests the National Sleep Foundation. These dangers could lead to SIDS, especially during the infant's first two or three months of life. Learn how to regulate your baby's room and body temperature, while choosing the right clothing, to prevent overheating.

Things You'll Need

  • Pajamas
  • Sleep sack

Instructions

    • 1

      Avoid placing quilts, comforters or pillows in the child's sleep space. These items become a hazard and increase the risk of SIDS by 21 percent. When placed in the crib, quilts, comforters and pillows can cover the child's face, which leads to overheating, reports the American Academy of Pediatrics. If you must use a blanket, choose one that is extremely thin and tuck it in to prevent it from covering the baby's face.

    • 2

      Keep the room a temperature that is comfortable for you, suggests the American SIDS Institute. If you feel warm when you enter the child's bedroom, turn the heat to a lower level.

    • 3

      Dress the child in clothing that is warm enough that he does not require a blanket, suggests MayoClinic.com. Alternatively, you can place him in a sleep sack because that won't cover his face. Warm pajamas or a sack can help create a comfortable and safe sleep environment.

    • 4

      Place your child on her back. When your child sleeps on her stomach, it decreases the amount of heat that her body loses throughout the night. This can lead to the body increasing in temperature, putting the child at a higher risk of SIDS, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

    • 5

      Watch for signs that you baby is overheating. These signs include sweating, a heat rash, rapid breathing and restlessness, reports the Georgia Department of Human Services. If you notice any of these signs, adjust the clothing that your child is wearing and the temperature in his room.

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