Do Newborns Get Cold Easily? Key Signs to Watch For

Do newborns get cold easily? This may worry many new parents, in part because it is so important. Babies easily lose their body heat, which is why it’s so difficult for them to warm up compared to adults and older kids. Keeping your baby comfortable and cozy is one way to create a healthy and safe environment. In this post, you will learn why babies feel cold and what to do when you observe this.

Do Newborns Get Cold Easily?

Yes, newborns get cold easily since their bodies are still growing and can’t efficiently manage their temperatures. Low body fat, light skin and small size make babies more likely to lose heat faster than grown-ups. Babies and toddlers can’t shiver to keep their bodies warm as older kids and adults can. Dressing them properly in cold weather can keep them warm and comfortable.

What Can Cause a Baby to Feel Cold After Birth?

Newborns can feel cold shortly after birth for several reasons:

Sudden temperature change: Being born into the cold world from the secure warmth of the womb immediately makes babies lose heat.
Wet skin: Babies come out of the womb with amniotic fluid over their entire body; this starts to dry right away and leads to their skin getting colder.
Underdeveloped temperature regulation: Since babies can’t shiver properly, they may feel colder than older children or adults.
Inadequate clothing or blankets: If the baby is not wrapped quickly in dry or warm clothes, heat loss can happen.
Low birth weight or prematurity: Their thin skin and small amount of body fat mean they face a greater chance of feeling cold.

Ensuring newborns are warm after delivery is necessary to protect their health from problems like hypothermia.

How Can I Tell If My Baby Is Too Cold or Too Warm?

Keeping your baby at a comfortably warm temperature matters just because newborns usually feel colder more frequently. These ideas and products can keep your child comfortable in their bedroom.

Signs Your Baby Might Be Too Cold:

Cool skin: Check if your baby’s skin is cool by feeling their chest, back or neck. When your baby’s skin or hands feel cool, this may suggest that the room is too cold for her. Fingers and toes can get chilly, but if they’re too cold, you ought to get medical help right away.
Pale or blotchy skin: A paler or irregularly colored skin on your baby could mean they ought to stay warmer
Shivering or fussiness: An infant may become unusually quiet or fussy due to environmental discomfort.
Low energy or sluggishness: A room temperature that is too cold can lower your baby's energy.

Signs Your Baby Might Be Too Warm:

Hot, flushed skin: If the baby feels hot, their skin is damp or looks red, maybe they are overheated.
Restlessness or irritability: A hot air temperature might lead to a baby being more irritable and unable to sleep well.
Rapid breathing: If your baby is breathing a lot faster than usual, that could be due to their body overheating.
Heat rash: Too much exposure to heat or sweating makes the skin develop heat rash, which results in bumpy and patchy skin.

What Is the Best Temperature for a Baby?

The ideal temperature for an infant’s room is 68°F – 72°F (20°C – 22°C), according to experts. It is possible to avoid over and underdressing your baby with the right dressing. Having a room temperature thermometer allows a parent to balance the temperature in the room. It is advisable to undress your baby lightly and control the flood of air in the room with the windows to ensure the air feels neither warm nor cool.

How to Keep Your Baby Warm

Making sure your baby is comfortably warm matters a lot, given that newborns tend to feel cold more often. Here are some useful tips as well as great items to help your child stay comfortable in their room:

Dress Your Baby in Soft, Breathable Pajamas: For a long, snug and comfortable night stretch, dress your infant up with Momcozy Baby Pajamas. These pajamas are soft and breathable that keep newborns warm without being too hot.

Use a Hooded Towel After Baths: Wrap your baby in a hooded towel right after bathing them to keep them warm. With Momcozy Baby Hooded Towel, you can dry your baby gently and safely. Being soft, the fabric plus the hood helps prevent loss of heat from your baby immediately after bathing.

Layering is Key: Baby should be dressed in onesies and other clothing that can be added on or taken off to dress baby appropriately for how warm the room is. Start by putting on a onesie, followed by pajamas or a sleep sack. If possible, also check that your baby’s chest and belly are comfortably warm.

Maintain a Comfortable Room Temperature: The recommended baby room temperature is between 20⁰C to 22⁰C or 68⁰F to 72⁰F. Keep the room at a comfortable temperature for your little one, and make sure there is enough fresh air to circulate in the room by running a fan or the air conditioner, just in case. Don’t put the air directly on your baby, or it may become too cold.

How to Prevent a Baby from Overheating

Your baby should feel relaxed with their surroundings for their safety and comfort. Dealing with an overheated baby at night can be quite uncomfortable and increase the risk of SIDS. Following these guidelines will lower the chances of your baby getting too hot:

Dress Your Baby in Light, Breathable Layers: Light cotton clothes help the body breathe and stay cool. The Momcozy Boy Girl Baby Pajamas are great for keeping your baby comfortable without being overheated.
Avoid Over-Bundling: Prevent excessively wrapping or covering your baby in too many layers. Also, ensure that your baby has an extra comfortable layer. If you wish, use a light sleep sack to ensure they stay cozy.
Maintain a Comfortable Room Temperature: A comfortable room temperature: Try to maintain a temperature in the baby’s room between 20 to 22 Celsius or 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Check that the room isn't overly hot for your little one, and turn on a fan or the air conditioner to allow for proper airflow. Do not place the air directly on your baby, as they may become chilled.
Watch for Signs of Overheating: If your baby is overheating, they may show signs such as redness of the skin, sweating, irritability, rapid breathing and crying a lot. If you see it, cool down by taking off some clothing or heat up by making your environment warmer.
Choose Breathable Bedding: A light and breathable fabric is best for your baby. There are wraps or sleeping bags you can buy that are designed to be easier to swaddle with so they won't ever be uncomfortable.

With the right set of clothes and blankets, you can make sure your baby doesn’t get too hot or too cold.

How to Dress Your Baby for the Right Temperature

The baby should be dressed in clothes corresponding to the weather for the betterment of their mood, health, and comfort. Because babies can be too uncomfortable if too hot or too cold, they have to be kept at a comfortable temperature at all times.

Dressing Your Baby at Home

Focus on Practical Layers: Start with a basic outfit like a soft onesie, and add or remove layers depending on the room temperature. For example, during cooler days, layer with a footed sleeper or soft swaddle. On warmer days, stick to lightweight, breathable basics like the Momcozy Baby Pajamas, which provide comfort without trapping too much heat.
Room Comfort Matters: Ideally, your baby's room should stay between 20°C to 22°C (68°F to 72°F). You don’t need to rely heavily on blankets—instead, dress your baby accordingly and adjust clothing layers if it feels too warm or too cool.
Post-Bath Warmth: After bath time, help your baby stay warm and comfortable by wrapping them in a hooded towel. This helps prevent post-bath chills and makes transitioning to sleepwear gentler.

Dressing Your Baby Outdoors

Layer Up for Changing Weather: If the weather changes, cover your baby with pieces that you can put on or take off with ease. Start by putting on a onesie, and then see if you want your baby to have pajamas, pants, a jacket or a snowsuit.
Protect Extremities: A great portion of heat escapes your baby through its head and limbs. Use a hat, mittens and booties or socks so your newborn remains warm.
Use a Weather-Appropriate Outer Layer: When it’s cold, a warm stroller cover or a blanket (for you) works well to keep you safe from cold weather without getting too hot. If it’s warm outside, wearing thin clothes and a sun hat can protect you.
Avoid Overheating: Check your baby regularly to make sure he or she isn’t too hot or too cold. Gently feel their neck or tummy to sense if there’s any discomfort and adapt layering accordingly.

FAQ

Will my baby cry and wake up if it’s too hot or cold at night?

Yes. Babies will cry when they are uncomfortable. Because of temperature changes, they may wake up feeling uncomfortable. A baby might not get the kind of sleep they need if the temperature of the room keeps changing. If your baby seems grumpy, check their outfit or bedding around the neck and tummy before putting or using it again.

Is 74 degrees too cold for a newborn?

No, 74 degrees Fahrenheit is not too cold for a baby or a newborn. In fact, it’s a little above the recommended room temperature range of 68°F to 72°F (20°C to 22°C), which is generally good for most babies. But 74 °F (23 °C) is usually safe, provided your baby is covered with light, breathable layers. Make sure your baby’s not sweating or dressed in too many layers, and adjust whatever clothing you’re using as necessary to keep them comfortable.

What are the effects of cold weather on babies?

The fact that newborns don’t have lots of fat and can’t regulate their temperature very well makes them prone to cold, too. Being in cold air for too long will make you cranky and uncomfortable, and in extreme cases, hypothermia is a risk. To keep the baby from getting too cold, he or she should wear a few layers of clothes.

Should I take my baby out in cold weather, and how can I protect them?

It is certainly safe to be out with your baby in the cold if you take care of them. Put a warm layer or two on the baby, blindfold them, and when necessary, use a snowsuit or stroller cover. Resist the urge to sit out in cold weather for a long time, and never have your baby too hot.

Conclusion

For the newborn, a change in their body temperature is the judgment of those who are around them in daily life. It may sound ridiculous, but proper instruction on laying aside soft clothing, soft pajamas, and warm towels will make a wonderful bed for your baby to snuggle in. Responding appropriately when you notice something that offends your baby ensures they are home safe both indoors and out.