Medicine today 

Comfortable temperature in the home for the baby. Optimal temperature in the children's room

Environmental conditions play an important role in the development of the infant, who is forced to spend most of the first months of life indoors. Therefore, the temperature in the room for the newborn should be optimal and comfortable. Constant hypothermia or overheating of a child, as well as sudden changes in temperature, can lead to the development of a number of conditions that are fraught with unpleasant consequences and chronic diseases.

Even if the temperature in the room seems optimal to you, carefully monitor the child's well-being: if he feels comfortable, there is nothing to worry about

The conditions in the room where the child lives are determined by his condition, vital signs and reaction to the environment. The weaker the baby, the more comfortable the indicators should be. For example, the temperature in the room of a newborn, born on time and without any deviations, is 19 ° -21 ° C. If the baby is premature, then it will develop better at an air temperature of at least 24 ° -25 ° C. If the baby is strong and vigorous, natural hardening can be introduced, starting from birth. In this case, thermometer readings should not exceed 18 ° -19 ° C.

The main mistake parents make is trying to adjust the newborn to the conditions that seem comfortable for the adult body. In fact, with age, the processes of human thermoregulation are disrupted due to an improper lifestyle. And babies are able to adapt to environmental conditions without any problems. An interesting paradox arises from this. In prosperous families, where the child is looked after by parents and numerous relatives, such hothouse conditions are created that the child's skin cannot breathe. Therefore, these children often get sick. And in dysfunctional families, where the baby is left to himself and no one controls the temperature, the level of colds among newborns is an order of magnitude lower.

It is important to remember that it is necessary to prepare the conditions in the room before the baby arrives. Temperature and humidity must be adjusted in advance. In addition, the indicators should not change dramatically. The thermometer should be located close to the newborn's crib, in the same plane - this will help to always get the correct numbers.

Try not to wrap up the child unnecessarily, because overheating has no less detrimental effect than hypothermia

An accelerated metabolism and an incompletely formed thermoregulation system lead to the fact that infants generate heat very intensively. It does this through the lungs and the entire surface of the skin. If there is a significant increase in the air temperature in the newborn's room, the baby has to breathe warm air, he cannot get rid of the internal heat and begins to sweat. And with sweat, mineral salts and water, so necessary for a growing body, come out.

If the air temperature in the room is higher than normal, it is easy to determine by the condition of the child:

  • redness appears in the natural folds and folds of the joints, turning into diaper rash;
  • the baby often opens his mouth as if he is short of air. Gradually breathing from the nasal becomes oral;
  • body temperature may rise slightly;
  • as a result of intense water loss and indigestion in newborns, abdominal pain, bloating may occur;
  • crusts appear in the nose, which also interfere with normal breathing.

As a result of hypothermia, a cold can develop, which will significantly weaken the child's body.

If it is too hot in the room, bathe your child more often: this will make it easier to cope with the high temperature of the air.

Most often, the temperature in a living room does not drop below 20 ° -22 ° C. This may be due to hot weather or heating season, when it is impossible to adjust the indicators on your own.

If it is impossible to artificially create the optimal temperature in the newborn's room, it is necessary:

  • ensure that a sufficient amount of fluid is supplied to the child's body;
  • minimize the amount of clothing;
  • organize water procedures. The water temperature during bathing should be as close as possible to the indicators in the room, then the baby will not notice the difference and will not get cold.

If the humidity in the baby's room is very low, put an aquarium or just any containers of water there.

In addition to the temperature in the newborn's room, it is also necessary to monitor the humidity. There is rarely high humidity in the room, but excessive dryness of the air is very common. If this indicator is not monitored, drying out of the mucous membranes of the newborn, sleep disturbances, accelerated loss of fluid, changes in the child's behavior may develop. To prevent this, an aquarium or ordinary containers of water can be installed in the room. The relative humidity of the environment must not fall below 50%.

Humidity and temperature control in the newborn's room should be carried out daily. Do not neglect regular ventilation and wet cleaning with a minimum amount of detergent chemical components.

Preparing for the birth of a baby, parents are trying to create comfortable conditions for their baby. In addition to buying many different things, it is worth considering in advance a system for maintaining optimal temperature indicators in the room for a newborn. The kid should neither overheat nor freeze.

Focusing on the behavior of the baby, you can find out what temperature and humidity is more comfortable for the newborn.

Indicators of temperature and humidity in the child's room

According to modern medical standards, the optimal temperature in the room for a newborn should be between 18-20 o C. With these indicators, all biological processes in the baby's body proceed naturally.

But! in my opinion - it's too cold. An adult wants to put on woolen socks, wrap himself up in a blanket and not stick his nose out of it. Therefore, in my practice, I orientate parents at 22-24 degrees, and no deterioration in the child's well-being is noticed.

Air humidity is also important for metabolism.

Place a thermometer next to the crib to monitor the temperature data. The humidity indicators in the room are determined using a hygrometer, but it should be located away from heating appliances.

It is important to clearly understand the difference between room temperature and humidity and newborn discomfort.

Each baby is individual, so you need to focus, first of all, on the state of health of the baby. If the temperature and humidity of the room are normal, and the newborn has cold and sweaty hands and feet, it is worth wearing socks or an extra blouse.

Warm clothes, high temperature, lack of fresh air - the newborn is sweating. Excessive moisture in the skin promotes the appearance and growth of bacteria.

Correcting the wrong habit will require correcting not only the temperature regime, but also a large expenditure of energy and patience from the parents.

Thermoregulation control

A newborn baby sleeps about 20 hours a day. His vigorous activity is small, while all organs and systems are working as much as possible. Metabolism is much faster than that of an adult.

The thermoregulation system has not yet been debugged, so it is worth creating the most comfortable temperature in the room for the newborn.

Overheat

Parents make sure their child does not catch a cold or cough. (Find out how to treat a cough in a nursing child?) At the same time, they are addicted to excessive wrapping. Infant overheating is very dangerous, so you should not constantly put on warm socks and hats on the baby if the temperature in the room is more than 18 ° C.

At elevated temperatures, the baby has two ways of losing excess heat:

  1. Breath.

Inhaled air, reaching the lungs, heats up to body temperature. The difference in degrees reflects the amount of heat generated. The cooler the air in the room, the greater this loss will be. The high air temperature in the child's room can lead to overheating of the young body.

  1. Sweating.

If it is impossible to regulate the temperature indicators in the first way, the second way is activated in the newborn - through the skin. Beads of sweat come to the surface.

Excessive body moisture is very dangerous. In this case, the body not only loses excess heat by lowering the temperature, but also the salts and water necessary for it.

The work of organs and systems will be disrupted due to an insufficient amount of fluid. If the temperature rises in the newborn, the general condition will worsen. Also among the possible consequences, the most common are:

  • increased skin moisture;
  • diaper rash in places where sweat accumulates;
  • Difficulty nasal breathing;
  • sleep disturbance;
  • abdominal pain, bloating (How to deal with colic, see the course Soft tummy >>>);
  • thrush in the mouth;
  • refusal to eat;
  • weak pulse;
  • sinking fontanelle.

With dehydration, the immune system of the baby is weakened, so the risk of developing infectious diseases increases.

When a newborn develops a high fever, nosebleeds, and pupil retraction, urgent medical attention is needed.

Important! It is worth avoiding overheating on the street. Try to be in the shade when walking in the heat. Direct sunlight can trigger sunstroke.

Hypothermia

General hypothermia in a newborn can occur against a background of reduced nutrition or general fatigue. A sharp decrease in temperature, an increase in body moisture occur in cold water or in wet clothes. Symptoms of this condition will be:

  1. pallor of the skin;
  2. trembling;
  3. increased breathing.

To avoid fainting and other serious consequences, it is urgent to stabilize the temperature of the baby, as well as restore the level of humidity.

If a newborn is cold during a walk, you can cuddle him, soothe and warm with your own body. But the best way to raise your body temperature is to return home immediately. If this is not possible, you should go to the nearest warm room.

Important! If a newborn is wet or sweating, then urgently he is changed into clean dry linen.

With a prolonged decrease in natural body temperature, the following can occur:

  • depletion of the body;
  • development of acute respiratory infections or acute respiratory viral infections. Read how to protect your child from colds? >>>
  • organic changes in the brain;
  • violation of vascular tone;
  • excessive moisture of the skin;
  • frostbite of the extremities.

Maintaining optimal temperature

In summer, an air conditioner is installed in the room for ease of temperature control. It can be placed both directly in the nursery and in the next room. To prevent the child from catching a cold, it is necessary to exclude the passage of cold air near the crib.

Is the room temperature lower than necessary, and the heating season has not yet begun? Then it is worth buying a radiator. In the winter season, it is more difficult to maintain the optimal temperature in the room, because during centralized heating the apartment overheats to 26 o C.

  1. Regular airing of the room;

Fresh air is required every 4 hours. The newborn should be moved to another room or taken for a walk. This will help not only saturate the room with oxygen, but also normalize the temperature and humidity indicators.

  1. Retain warmth;

Cover the batteries with special plastic structures or a wide thick cloth. This will help to stop the temperature rise in the room and increase the humidity.

  1. Open the free flow of air into the crib;

Multi-colored canopies and bumpers have aesthetic value, while they restrict the access of oxygen to the baby, increasing the temperature of his body. If it is easier for a child to fall asleep in a confined space, then all tissues should be removed directly during sleep.

Important! Things are dust collectors, so there should be no clutter in the children's room, it is better to adhere to the minimalist style in the interior.

  1. Correctly selected clothing;

Eliminate the wearing of synthetic materials by newborns. In them, the skin does not breathe, which means that the regulation of the child's body temperature is disrupted. The cap should be worn only when necessary - overheating the head is most dangerous.

Excessive moisture of the skin when overheated has a negative effect on metabolic processes. There is no need to wrap up a newborn at high temperatures or leave him undressed in the cold. There should be a measure in everything. Clothes made from natural materials help to maintain the desired temperature and moisture content of the skin.

  1. If the newborn is hot, then the interval between meals can be shortened;

Breastfeeding will help to quench your thirst and balance the water balance, since breast milk is 80% water. With artificial feeding, in the intervals between feedings, the baby is given a drink of simple boiled water at room temperature.

  1. Water procedures.

If the newborn is hot, it should be washed as needed. At an air temperature of about 35 ° C, bathing is carried out up to three times a day. By immersing your child in the aquatic environment, you will create comfortable conditions for him and lift his spirits.

Air humidity

Hygrometer and thermometer

Air humidity is no less important indicator in a newborn's room than temperature. The value of this parameter is directly related to the course of metabolic processes. The air that the child exhales has a 100% rate. The humidity in the newborn's room must be constantly monitored.

Breathing dry air, more fluid is wasted. Increased body temperature leads to a violation of water metabolism. Normal well-being of the baby is noted when the humidity reaches 50-70% on the hygrometer.

Important! Each newborn is different. To understand what humidity should be in a newborn's room, it is necessary to focus on the overall well-being of the baby, on his body temperature.

The environmental conditions are comfortable, the humidity level in the room is optimal if the baby has:

  • deep sleep;
  • body temperature is not higher than 37 ° C;
  • natural skin color;
  • no irritation on the body;
  • the arms and legs are dry and warm;
  • calm breathing.

During the heating season, the air in the room does not have a sufficient level of humidity. With a central supply of heat in the apartment, an increase in the temperature in the room is noted, while the dryness indicator increases by 2-3 times or more.

The optimal humidity for the child is maintained by installing household appliances in the room or using improvised means.

With sharp deviations in indicators, you should use the following tips:

  • installation of a household air humidifier;
  • frequent wet cleaning of the room. Find out how to keep up with everything after giving birth to a young mother;
  • placement of open containers with water, aquariums or decorative fountains;
  • spraying water with a spray bottle;
  • cover hot batteries with wet rags.

Air with a low humidity content brings discomfort to all, without exception, babies. Adults may not notice the deviation of this parameter, while the child's body suffers greatly.

With low humidity in the room, the greatest accumulation of dust, microorganisms and other allergens is noted. The most common effects of dehydration are as follows:

  1. Asthma. The respiratory organs in a newborn are not yet fully developed, with dehydration, the lung tissue is damaged;
  2. Allergy. Histamine triggers allergic reactions in the body.

Water itself has antihistaminic properties, therefore, in conditions of dehydration, the amount of this neurotransmitter in the blood increases dramatically. An allergic reaction can manifest itself as a rash, itching, runny nose and other symptoms;

  1. Dry skin. With low humidity, damage to the skin structure occurs, and, consequently, a decrease in the protective properties of the body;
  2. Coughing. Drying of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract makes nasal breathing difficult, the child feels dry mouth, sore throat;
  3. Thickening of the blood. As a result of dehydration, the amount of fluid in the body decreases sharply. A blood thicker in consistency is a manifestation of a pathological state of the body, characteristic of a violation of the mechanism of water exchange.

Be considerate of your baby. Monitor the humidity and temperature in the newborn's room. And be healthy!

Many new parents have questions about the improvement of the room for the baby and comfortable living conditions. Often their heads are tormented by the question of what room temperature should be for a newborn baby. Let's take a closer look to take into account all the nuances.

Why is the temperature regime in the nursery so important?

Many conditions of the human body depend on the conditions of its environment. For example, if you are in a stuffy or cold room, this is at best limited to discomfort, and at worst, pathological conditions may develop (fainting, colds, etc.).

The small organism arrived for nine months in comfortable conditions, where the temperature and humidity were stable. Having entered this world, the baby received stress with a change in his usual conditions. The task of adults is to make it easier for a little person to adapt to a new life. If we neglect the temperature regime, the baby can experience a number of conditions associated with a disorder of thermoregulation.

What will happen if the temperature is violated?

Thermoregulation of a baby in the first years of life differs from that of adults. If the temperature is not monitored in the room where the child is, pathological changes may occur:

Hypothermia of the baby can be determined by cold extremities. Pediatricians are advised to wear socks, mittens and a hat made of natural materials in the first months of a child's life.

Temperature in the nursery: what should it be?

Having analyzed in detail what the disturbed temperature regime for the baby leads to, we can conclude that overheating of the room is a greater threat.

Dr. Komarovsky and his supporters adhere to the principle of not overheating the child and recommend a temperature of 18-19 o C. Opponents argue that the norm is 21-23 o C. It is difficult to say what the optimal temperature is, all this is purely individual. The comfort zone can be determined by the condition of the child.

Children born on time and premature babies have different requirements, so this fact must be taken into account. The room of a premature baby with a low weight or with congenital abnormalities should be slightly warmer, but should not exceed 24 -25 o C. Every day, you need to ventilate the room and carry out wet cleaning.

Overheating must not be allowed when. The water temperature should not exceed 37 ° C, and the air temperature in the room should not exceed 22 ° C. In order not to violate these requirements, you need to purchase thermometers in advance to determine the temperature of water and air.

If you decide to temper your child, do it gradually in the absence of contraindications. The temperature of the air and water during bathing must be reduced gradually, since a sharp drop can cause discomfort and the development of pathological conditions.

What you need to know about humidity in a nursery?

Too dry or humid air can also provoke a number of pathological conditions in a child.

High humidity is an excellent breeding ground for pathogenic microorganisms.

Extremely dry air can cause the development of:

  • atopic dermatitis
  • infections of various etiologies (since the nasal mucosa dries up, and there is no barrier for pathogens),
  • allergic reactions.


Scientific research by American scientists has proven that the influenza virus dies when the air humidity is 40-60%. Such a discovery is one of the preventive measures for the emergence of epidemics.

To keep the humidity within the correct limits, you must:

  • carry out daily wet cleaning;
  • you can install a decorative fountain in the room;
  • use a room humidifier.

Do not forget to take into account that the air in winter requires additional humidification due to heating devices. The normal humidity in the children's room should be 60-70%. Readings can be determined with a hygrometer.

Humidity, maintained within normal limits, is an excellent method for the prevention of diseases, and is also necessary for the correct physical development of a baby in the first year of life.

Alla Pasenko, pediatrician-neonatologist, especially for the site

Useful video

Many parents know that the processes of thermoregulation in children in the first months of life are imperfect. But some of them take this information too literally. Most of all, newly-made mothers are afraid of the possibility of hypothermia of a baby who has fallen into a cool room, which is why they try to warm it up in every possible way. However, this position is not correct, overheating is also harmful. In general, the temperature in the room intended for the newborn significantly affects his condition and well-being.

Once in a hot room, the child will definitely not be overcooled, but it may be very overheated. Therefore, it is advisable to constantly monitor the temperature and humidity indicators and adjust them to the ones most suitable for the baby.

The temperature in the room where the baby is often (asleep and awake) should not exceed 18-23 °. In many maternity hospitals, this mark is often exceeded, as a result, after being discharged home, many parents purchase heaters in an attempt to avoid hypothermia of the child. But do not forget an important detail: not only hypothermia harms the baby - overheating is no better. It is better to install an air conditioner in the room and control temperature changes.

  • Good sleep in the hot season is facilitated by maintaining the temperature in the room no higher than 18 °. In such an environment, according to most pediatricians, the child feels comfortable. All children are unique, and their metabolism, which affects thermoregulation, varies greatly, and each parent should observe whether the baby is sleeping peacefully, whether he sweats during sleep.
  • It is difficult to adjust the temperature during the winter season. During wakefulness, values ​​of 23-24 ° are considered normal; during sleep, it is better to set the temperature to 18-20 °.

Often, parents hang up various accessories on the crib - all kinds of toys, a beautiful tracery train, etc. But in fact, it is better not to get carried away with unnecessary items, because they:

  • accumulate dust, which badly affects the well-being of the baby;
  • interfere with the normal flow of air;
  • can be irritating and affect the mood of the child.

In bathroom

It is necessary to think not only about the appropriate temperature in the newborn's room during sleep and rest. While swimming, the child should neither overcool nor overheat.

Parents try to bathe their newborn in a very hot room. However, if you bathe your baby in a hot room and then move it to a cool bedroom, you put him at risk of freezing and getting sick.

Don't be afraid to bathe your baby at room temperature. After the procedure, wrap the baby in a towel for a few minutes, then dry thoroughly and put on warm clothes. But all the recommendations apply only to babies born on time and without deviations. It is recommended to bathe a premature baby with pathologies with temperature indicators in the bathroom not lower than 25–26 °.

When it comes to hardening a baby, certain rules must be followed:

  • be sure to consult a pediatrician;
  • the recommended heating of the air in the bathroom is not lower than 18–20 °;
  • after bathing, you need to wipe the child dry.

Overheating and hypothermia

Symptoms of overheating in a baby:

  • crying and anxiety;
  • redness of the skin;
  • rapid breathing;
  • prickly heat appears in places of skin folds.

Hypothermia of the baby is fraught with consequences, for example, a cold. To prevent this from happening, it is necessary to maintain a standard temperature.

Hypothermia symptoms:

  • cold extremities;
  • blue nasolabial triangle;
  • pallor of the skin.

Temperature maintenance methods

All children are different, each of them reacts differently to changes in temperature indicators in the apartment. To correctly determine whether your baby is comfortable, it helps to monitor the condition of the baby:

  • stable sleep;
  • skin color does not change;
  • there is no regular sweating;
  • warm legs and handles;
  • pulse and breathing are stable.

If the baby's condition does not correspond to the indicated indicators, it is required to change the temperature in the nursery in accordance with the state of health:

  • the baby is hot - be sure to cool the room in one of two ways: turn on the air conditioner and ventilate by opening the window. In both cases, it is better for the newborn not to be in the room, it is recommended to take the baby out to fresh air for this time;
  • the child is cold - use heating devices to help achieve a comfortable environment. It is advisable to use a winter-summer air conditioner that maintains the optimal air temperature in the room.

Humidity

It greatly affects the condition of the child. During the heating season, they often face a similar problem. It is possible to measure the humidity in the room using a home device (hygrometer). The normal indicator of humidity in the house is about 50%, not higher, not lower. With low humidity, it is advisable to use a humidifier either:

  • place vessels with water in the corners of the room;
  • purchase an aquarium;
  • Hang up a damp cloth (towel, nappies, etc.) on hot radiators.

Keeping humidity in your apartment is extremely important.

  • From its decrease, the child is likely to develop a runny nose and respiratory diseases.
  • During the increase, there is a risk of developing skin dermatitis.

Summing up

Maintain the temperature no higher than 18–20 °, then the baby will feel comfortable and calm. Humidity is equally important in creating complete comfort and should not be lower than 50%.

  1. In an apartment that is too hot, it is necessary to provide the baby with a plentiful drink.
  2. The child should be dressed according to the room temperature.
  3. In hot weather, it is imperative to bathe the child daily, in the cold season - 2-3 times a week and wash it after any diaper change.

After the silence and tranquility of the mother's womb, the baby enters our world without effective thermoregulation mechanisms, so the care of maintaining a comfortable temperature falls on the shoulders of caring parents. In order not to harm the child in the first days of life, it is important to maintain the correct climate, avoiding hypothermia and overheating.

Signs of overheating easy to recognize, because they give the baby a lot of discomfort.

The baby's skin becomes red, covered with sweat, and diaper rash appears in places where sweat secretions accumulate. White specks of thrush may appear in the mouth, and dry crusts form in the nose, making it difficult to breathe. Dehydration may cause your baby to have difficulty digestion.

If you find these symptoms, try lowering the temperature in the room, get rid of extra clothes and give him some water between feedings. ...

If the baby is cold , you will notice that his nose, legs and arms are not just cool, but "ice", he presses the arms of the legs to him, keeping warm. In this case, socks and warmer clothing or a blanket should be used. Symptoms of hypothermia can be decreased appetite and lethargy, slowdown in weight gain. With hypothermia, the likelihood of manifestations of colds also increases. But still remember that it is much easier to overheat a child than overcool.

Optimal temperature in the baby's room

Pediatricians recommend maintaining the temperature in the baby's room at a level of 18 to 22 degrees. Under such conditions, a light bodysuit or undershirt with a medium-density rug is usually enough for a baby for a comfortable sleep. For children born prematurely, it is worth raising the temperature slightly, up to 24-26 degrees.

To easily control the climate in your baby's room, hang the thermometer on the wall next to your baby's crib. One glance at his readings will be enough for you to determine the cause of the baby's anxiety.

How to regulate the room temperature?

When you determine the right temperature for your baby, you just have to maintain it at a constant level, which is far from easy in an ordinary apartment.

You can reduce the air temperature in the summer heat using an air conditioner. It is important that the stream of cool air is not directed at the crib, and it is better to cool the room when the baby is outside. You can also do with the usual ventilation, which is recommended to be carried out several times a day, while the baby is out for a walk or in the next room.

Maintaining a comfortable temperature for babies in winter can be more difficult than in summer. An electric heater without an open coil is suitable for heating a room, but an overheated room can be cooled by airing. You can reduce heat generated by a battery that is too hot by covering it with a thick blanket or blanket.

When heating appliances or central heating are in operation it is important to pay attention to the relative humidity, which in the baby's room should not drop below 50%. Instead of special humidifiers, you can use open containers of water, wet towels or fountains.

Individual approach to each baby

Now you have an idea of ​​the general recommendations of pediatricians regarding the optimal temperature for an infant, but do not forget about the importance of an individual approach. Depending on the baby's metabolism, month of birth and overall health, the baby may need a higher or lower temperature. Do not be afraid to deviate from general recommendations and use common sense to provide your baby with ideal conditions.