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Baby sweat might be a surprising thing to notice, especially when your baby is cold to the touch or not really moving that much. Most parents tend to ask, *why does baby sweat happen*?. Sweating is a normal part of a newborn's development, and it's surprising because it occurs at the most unimaginable moment. When your baby is sleeping, you might notice that they are perspiring, which could be frightening or confusing. What's causing your baby to perspire while remaining cold to the touch? Let's learn more about how baby sweat functions, what is typical, and when to see a doctor.
What Does It Mean When Babies Sweat?
Your baby's body reacts to warmth, comfort, or even relaxation by producing sweat. Sweating generally concentrates on the head, neck, and armpits. It can happen unexpectedly during quiet, comfortable times when your child isn't moving around much. When your baby is sleeping in a warm blanket or cuddling in your arms, they are most likely to perspire.
Your baby's sweat is normal and it doesn’t really call for complications. Sweating mostly means a positive thing, as it shows that your baby’s body is functioning properly, their internal thermoregulation function to be exact. While your baby may react differently to others like they may sweat more or less, being able to identify what is normal and what is not can give you the peace of mind that you need.
Why Do Babies Sweat?
Your baby’s sweat means the same as yours, sweat helps them control their body temperature. However, because of their underdeveloped nervous systems, they may find it difficult to maintain their desired temperature. This is what causes your baby’s excessive sweating.
You may notice your baby sweating more during:
- Sleep (especially in deep sleep stages)
- Nursing or bottle-feeding
- Warm weather or overheating indoors
- Crying or exerting effort
Your baby’s sweat may also be caused by the temperature of the room or the amount of covers or blankets that they have. Most parents do this as they find that their baby finds comfort when being wrapped with blankets.
Smart baby sound machines, such as the Momcozy Smart Baby Sound Machine, can help you and your baby have a quiet bedtime routine which can help your baby relax without the need for bulky blankets or layers of coverings. They can also comfort your baby with soothing noises like white noise, lullabies, and ambient sounds — all controllable via app. It supports better sleep and relaxation, especially during growth spurts or warm nights.
When Should I Be Worried About My Baby's Sweat?
Sweating is part of your baby’s physical development, and most of the time is a normal experience for you and your baby. But, in some rare cases, it can actually be a sign of something serious especially when it becomes more unusual and feels different.
Here are some of the signs you can watch out for:
- Sweating a lot when eating or sleeping
- Sweat accompanied by symptoms of exhaustion, appetite loss, and labored breathing.
- Cold sweats along with sobbing, paleness, and lack of response
- Heavy sweating in low temperatures
- Sweating mostly on the body, not on the head
While it's not the norm that your baby's sweat would be a sign of something negative. It can happen and can be a sign of infection, metabolic disorders, or even heart disease. As scary as it seems, it's important that you stay calm, and consult your doctor to deeply understand what may be the cause of your baby’s unusual sweat.
Why Is My Baby Sweating but Cold to Touch？
It's weird to see your baby sweating but when you touch their hand it feels cold. As scary as it may seem this is usually not a reason for alarm. It is usually caused by their underdeveloped ability to regulate their body temperature, that's why your baby may perspire in response to warmth, even if their skin feels chilly in other places.
You can usually experience this when your baby is deep in their sleep or when they are relaxed. This happens because your baby’s ability to control their temperature is still not developed enough, that's why most of the time their head sweats while the other part of their body is cold to the touch.
Another thing is, their tummy and chest mostly take the heat they produce, which also results in cold hands and feet. This is normal, especially in newborns whose circulation is still not developed enough. Light sweating with cool skin usually just means your baby’s body is trying to balance their temperature.
Why Is My Baby Sweating in Sleep？
Most of the time you find your baby sweating when they are fast asleep or doesn't move that much, which is weird when you think about it. As unusual as it may be, it's actually a normal reaction. The thing is your baby’s ability to control their temperature is not developed enough. That’s why when they are covered in blankets or sleeping on a soft bed, those materials take away their heat which their body respond by making more moisture – especially the sweat glands on the scalp.
To help you monitor your baby when they are sleeping, especially their room’s temperature, you can use a smart baby monitor with features that allow you to do so like the Momcozy Smart Baby Monitor. This tool can help you track the movement of your baby when sleeping, and the temperature of their room. This tool gives you peace of mind and insights on what to do or adjust while your baby is sleeping.
When to See a Doctor?
Baby sweats are normal, but sometimes your baby’s excessive sweating can make you worry. However, your baby’s excessive sweating can only be a serious problem once you notice some changes in their behavior appear as well.
Here are some signs that you need to look out for:
- Sweating when eating, especially if your baby appears to be exhausted and having difficulty gaining weight
- Cold sweats or having wet skin even though it's cold
- Heavy sweating while resting or sleeping, without being overdressed
- Fast breathing, looking pale or bluish skin, or being difficult to be waked up
- Persistent sweating with no clear cause
These symptoms are what you need to look out for because they can mean that your baby is facing heart complications, infections or metabolic problems.
FAQs
Why Is My Child Sweating but No Fever?
It's normal for your baby to sweat even though they don't have a fever. This usually means that your baby’s ability to control their temperature is still underdeveloped. You can mostly see this happen during sleep, eating, or when playing. However, this can also occur when they are calm, the environment is really hot, or they are wrapped in layers of clothing or blankets. Sweating, even in the absence of a fever, is nothing to be concerned about if your infant is content, healthy, and comfortable.
What Are the Symptoms of a Cold in Babies?
Infants' cold typically begins with a stuffy or runny nose, cough, sneezing, low-grade fever, and irritability. Your baby will also appear to be difficult to feed, or comfort. Most baby’s colds disappear within a week so it's not something you should be really scared about. However, when your baby appears to have other symptoms like unresponsiveness, having trouble breathing, refusing to eat, or exhibiting symptoms of dehydration, call your doctor.
What Do Cold Sweats Mean When Sick?
Cold sweats are when your baby is wet or damp but not warm to the touch. This may sometimes happen during illness, especially if there is fever, infection, or sudden loss of body heat. Your baby may also appear to be in pain or distress. While cold sweats are not usually a sign that something serious is happening, it does indicate that your baby is under stress. If cold sweats are accompanied by other signs such as labored breathing, bluish or pale color, or extreme lethargy, call your pediatrician immediately.
Conclusion
Baby sweats are normal and it mostly doesn't mean to be dangerous to your child's health. It's just a part of their growth and as time passes your baby’s body will get better controlling their own body temperature. But as always, whenever you feel something is wrong or different, don't be afraid to ask your doctor for help.
Finding the right tools that can help you take care of your baby can help you lessen stressful situations. The Momcozy Smart Baby Monitor can help you watch your baby while you're in another room and also update you about the temperature and movement of your sleeping baby. To also help you and your baby sleep better, you can use Momcozy Smart Sound Machine. With the help of these tools, it can help you stay at ease and your baby sleeping better even if you’re in another room.
Understand the meaning behind their sweats, and with the right tools, you can give yourself and your baby a more comfortable environment and peace of mind.
