Hello! To all mothers to BE’s and already moms, whenever you are dressing your little ones, you are trying that your baby in comfortable clothing, Sometimes, the baby has cold hands and it makes you think should I add another layer of clothes or not? Well, in this article, you will get your answers. Lets discuss more about Cold Hands / Feet & Newborn Care.
Cold Hands and Feet in Babies
Well first, you need to relax as it is completely normal for babies to have cold hands and feet, here are some of the reasons why they have cold hands and feet and when you should worry about your baby.
Temperature in Babies
Normally, the core temperature of newborns is warmer than their other body parts like their hands, feet, arms, and legs, that’s why we add one extra layer of clothing for babies at normal room temperature. Babies have tiny bodies, and they cannot regulate their bodies quickly and it is the main reason that sometimes babies have cold hands and feet. The normal body temperature for babies ranges from 97-100.4 degrees Fahrenheit while in adults, the body temperature ranges from 97–99 degrees Fahrenheit. For more information on maintaining the right temperature for newborns, check out this resource.
Sleepyheads
As newborns are busy feeding, sleeping, and digesting all day, that’s why their activity level is lower, which makes their hands cold, but there is no need to worry as it is completely normal for babies. When they grow a little and have more waking hours then babies will do more physical activity and will have warm hands and feet/
Development in babies
As your little one is growing every day their blood circulation level is slow in the first three months after their birth, in addition, the baby’s body is busy with the development of the brain, lungs, and other parts and blood circulation is not frequent. Blood carries oxygen and heat to all parts of the body and as it is discussed circulation is low in newborns, hence babies have cold hands and feet.
Fever in Babies
If the temperature is more than 100.4-degree Fahrenheit then your baby has a fever and may have cold hands and feet as the immune system of the body is busy with germs killing other parts of the body, but if you find any of the following symptoms in your baby, immediately call the doctor or take an appointment for your little one.
- Yellowish eyes or skin
- Dryness or signs of dehydration
- Less urine diarrhea or constipation
- Red face
- No crying or crying a lot
- No sleeping
Some other symptoms include bluish skin, blue lips, or blue spots on the skin, which refers to the fact that the baby is not getting enough oxygen due to poor blood circulation. This may happen due to lung or heart problems in babies, or it may happen due to severe infection.
It is necessary to call the doctor if you notice blue lips.
What to do?
If your baby has cold hands and feet, first check the room temperature, You can add extra layers of clothing but check the tummy, neck, and chest temperature, if they feel warm or pinkish then you don’t need to worry, just add mittens, socks, and hat and it will help in warming the baby.
You can help your baby warm up by holding them close to your chest and it will help the baby warm up. You should also check the fever and if they have vomiting, diarrhea, constipation or any other problem then check with your doctor as they may need medication like antibiotics for the treatment.
Takeaway
It is normal for newborns to have cold hands and feet but as a parent, it is our responsibility to do some extra care for little ones as they are new to the world and it’s our job to help them settle in and make their life comfortable.
