Keeping babies warm: have we got it right?
Concern has recently centred on the risks of babies overheating in their cots at night. We review the conditions under which babies sleep at home, and their effects on body temperature. Parents do not choose room heating, clothing and wrapping at random, but according to a 'formula' based on perceived risk to the infant of cooling. This formula allows 95 per cent of 3-4 month babies to produce controlled fall in body temperature at night, but most have to cooly by active thermoregulation, which relies heavily on the head as a route of heat loss. We conclude with some general recommendations about room heating and wrapping of babies which may reduce the risk of thermal stress during sleep.
Anderson
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CE
Wailoo
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MP
Petersen
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SA
D001833:Body Temperature Regulation; D003020:Clothing; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007224:Infant Care / Q000379:methods*; D012890:Sleep; D013696:Temperature