If your baby is sweating in their sleep, they might be overheating or have a cold. The sweating could also be because their bodies aren’t regulating temperature yet. Taking steps like adjusting the thermostat, dressing them in lighter clothes, or seeing a doctor can help.
In this article, we’ll explore reasons why your little one might be sweating in their sleep and what you can do to help them be more comfortable.
Key Takeaways
Table of contents
- What is night sweating?
- Why babies sweat in their sleep
- What to do if your baby is sweating in their sleep
- When to be concerned about night sweating
- Additional sleep tips
What is night sweating?
You check on your baby in the morning, and it’s as if they’ve been through a rainstorm! Their hair is wet and mussed, their face is glistening, and their PJs are clinging to their body. You wonder what happened in the night.
The truth is that babies often get sweaty while they sleep and, for the most part, you don’t have to be concerned. Sweat might be localized to their head, face, or neck, or they may be sweaty all over.
Both can be normal, especially if they’re under three months of age or they don’t have other symptoms of illness. But it’s best to get to the bottom of what's causing the sweating in order to know the next steps you might need to take.
Why babies sweat in their sleep
There are several reasons why your baby may be sweating in their sleep, and many of them are easy to address. Let’s take a look.
Too many layers
Your little one may be sweaty at night because they’re wearing too many layers or are dressed in clothing that’s not breathable. They should be dressed similarly to what you would find comfortable if you were to sleep in their nursery, or one additional light layer.
Hats can also make your baby overheat and are unsafe, so always take off your little one’s hat before putting them in their crib.
High room temperature
If the room feels a bit like the tropics, this could be another reason your baby’s drenched in sweat. It’s hard to sleep when you’re hot, and the same is true for your little one!
Ideally, the temperature in their nursery should stay around 68-72°F.
Undeveloped temperature regulation
If your baby’s under three months old, the sweat may be due to the fact that their temperature regulation system isn’t fully developed yet. This is completely normal, even in a comfortable environment. Don’t worry; they’ll grow out of it!
Physical activity before or during sleep
If you’ve been playing actively with your little one before bed, it stands to reason that they’d be a little extra sweaty. It also could be that they’ve been active in their sleep, flailing their arms and legs while they’re off on an adventure in dreamland!
Crying before sleep
Emotional activity can also cause sweating. If your baby has been crying before bed thanks to overtiredness or physical discomfort, such as teething pains, this may be the cause of their damp brow and PJs.
Deep sleep
If your baby is enjoying a deep sleep, they can also become a bit sweaty. This is because during deeper stages of sleep, a baby’s thermoregulatory control becomes less precise. As a result, their temperature can fluctuate, triggering the sweatiness.
Underlying illness
A host of illnesses and conditions can also cause night sweating. These include asthma, allergies, and mild infections. If your baby seems to be sweating at night more than normal or you notice other symptoms, get them to a pediatrician as soon as you can.
What to do if your baby is sweating in their sleep
You want your little one to be comfortable while they sleep, not drenched in sweat. Here are a few things you can do to help.
Feel your baby’s torso.
Because of circulation, your baby’s hands and feet stay cooler than the rest of their body. So the best way to get a more accurate idea of their core temperature is to feel their chest or tummy. If their torso feels warm or sweaty, your little one might be too hot.
Adjust the room temperature.
Take a look at the thermostat in your baby’s nursery. If the temperature is higher than 72°F, you may want to consider bumping it down just a bit.
Remove a layer of clothing.
What’s your little one wearing to bed? If they’re in too many layers or if any layer is too heavy, it’s a recipe for excessive sweat! Remove a layer and see if you notice a difference in the morning.
Additionally, make sure that whatever they’re dressed in is breathable. If it’s not, the clothing will trap heat, leading to a sweaty, uncomfortable baby. Time for an outfit change!
Take your baby’s temperature.
Another thing you can do is take your baby’s temperature, just to be sure they don’t have a fever. This will either rule out illness or give you a good idea of the next steps to take.
Watch for patterns.
If your child is regularly sweating in their sleep, jot it down in a notebook and look for patterns in their behavior. Are they sweating every night? Is your child crying and fussy when they wake up? Are you noticing any other symptoms?
This can help your doctor narrow down possible causes.
Wait it out.
As we said, sometimes a baby is sweaty because they’re, well, a baby! Since newborns can’t regulate their own body temperature, you may have to wait until they’re at least three months old to notice patterns.
Check with your doctor.
If you see any symptoms that give you pause or you just have a gut feeling that something’s wrong, check in with your baby’s doctor right away.
When to be concerned about night sweating
There are a few concerning symptoms that can happen along with night sweating and may indicate that your baby needs prompt medical attention. These include:
- Fever
- Rapid breathing
- Lethargy
- Poor growth patterns
- Dehydration
Consult a pediatrician if you notice any of the above.
Additional sleep tips
Sweaty or not, your baby needs to sleep because much of their growth and development happens when their eyes are shut. Here are some extra tips to help them get their rest.
Maintain a safe sleep environment.
Safe sleep is crucial. Put your baby to bed in a bassinet, crib, or travel crib that’s free of anything but a mattress and fitted sheet.
Also, always put them to sleep on their back, either wrapped in a swaddle or in a properly fitted sleep sack. (Note: Swaddling should only be used with non-rolling infants. Once your baby starts to show signs of rolling, it’s time to stop swaddling.)
Place the crib away from the window, heaters, and cords so there’s nothing within reach that’s a suffocation or strangulation hazard.
Opt for a breathable mattress, bedding, and pajamas.
As for your baby’s mattress, make sure it’s firm and breathable. Newton’s Original, Essential, and Waterproof mattresses are just that. They’re also washable, cover to core!
Practice a bedtime routine consistently.
Choose a handful of steps that you can do every time your baby is ready for sleep, such as taking a bath, dimming the lights, singing a lullaby, or reading a bedtime story.
It matters less what the steps actually are, and more that you’re doing it consistently.
Stick to a sleep schedule.
Speaking of consistency, be sure to stick to the sleep schedule. Keep a reminder on your phone so your little one doesn’t get overtired from missing a nap.
Limit physical activity close to bedtime.
Don’t get your baby too excited or active right before bed. Dim the lights, and keep your baby’s environment as calm and quiet as possible.
Restful sleep with Newton
If your baby is sweating in their sleep, it’s probably nothing to worry too much about. Just adjust the room temperature, make sure they’re dressed properly, and double-check that they don’t have a fever. If anything’s concerning, see your doctor.
A breathable mattress will help your baby cool down thanks to increased air circulation. Newton’s Essential, Original, and Waterproof mattresses are made with breathe-through technology, keeping sweat to a minimum.
When it’s time to nod off, rest easy that your little one will be comfortable and safe with Newton!
Frequently asked questions
What’s the link between SIDS and sweating?
Whereas there is not a direct link between SIDS and sweating, your baby may sweat as a result of overheating. Overheating is linked with SIDS, as doctors believe the heat makes it hard for a baby’s body to react properly to life-threatening situations.
Why is my baby’s head sweating but body cold?
It could be an imbalance of heat because babies don’t thermoregulate properly while they’re young. However, your baby could be teething or have a fever.
What are the seven danger signs in a newborn baby?
The seven danger signs are persistent vomiting, trouble breathing, high or low temperature, inability to feed, jaundice, and lethargy. If you notice any of these signs, seek medical help immediately.
