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What is the cause of sweating in a baby?

Is there a specific reason for the baby's head sweating? This is a question that some parents ask. Sweating is something that we usually face every day. But when it comes to our babies, like anything else, we worry too much about it. Parents are usually worried and curious about why the child sweats a lot, especially when the child's head area sweats the most. Finally, if you have any questions, you can ask Dr. Saeed Bitarafan in the question and answer section of the site.

Is my baby's head sweating normal?

Just like other parts of the body, the baby's head sweats in order to adapt to the physiological temperature of the environment. According to experts, in order to adapt to the ambient temperature, babies usually release excess body heat through sweating.

Child's head temperature

Child's head temperature is usually higher than the rest of the body. So it makes perfect sense as to why sweating starts at the head first. In addition, it is believed that active sweat glands are concentrated near the child's head. This is why parents notice that sweating often occurs on the baby's head or nearby areas such as the neck. There are times when a child's excessive sweating is thought to be normal and goes without intervention. Knowing the common causes of excessive sweating in a baby can help you determine what to do.

What are the causes of excessive head sweating in infants?

Sometimes, your baby's head may sweat more than usual. However, there is no reason for you to panic. Usually, excessive sweating of the head indicates that the child's body temperature is above normal. They can't do anything and release heat through sweat. This sweating is usually in response to the following common:

High ambient temperature
Special position
The amount of activity
Excessive coverage

In some rare cases, excessive sweating with a specific underlying condition requires medical evaluation. If your child sweats for no apparent reason. It is better to consult your pediatrician so that your child's condition can be properly evaluated and treated.

Causes of baby's head sweating during sleep

Head and body sweating during sleep may be normal for a child under normal conditions. Here are some of the most common reasons babies experience night sweats:

The temperature in the room is too hot.

You may have heard that babies love heat. Because it mimics the relaxing environment inside the womb. However, babies are very sensitive when it comes to temperature changes. Therefore, it is important to achieve the most ideal room temperature for babies.

An indoor thermometer is recommended for use in your child's room, to ensure the temperature is not too hot or too cold.

child You are unnecessarily covered with too thick layers or too much clothing.

Parents are often to blame in this case. You may think that your baby needs many layers of clothing or blankets to feel comfortable. However, make sure you only cover your baby as appropriate at the time.

Your baby has been left in a certain position for a long time.

If your baby is too small to turn his head or turn over while sleeping; His head is likely to sweat at night.

Your baby is covered by a blanket or cloth while the environment is warm.

Just like adults, babies should be covered more or less depending on the current environmental weather conditions. If you like to cover your baby even in the peak of summer heat, it is very likely that your baby will sweat due to heat build-up.

If your child seems to sweat unusually during sleep. Try to check these conditions first. Most of the time, reducing the possible cause will resolve the sweat. Here are some tips on how to do this:

Adjust your room temperature to between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit (20 to 22 degrees Celsius) for a cooler and ideal environment for your baby's bedtime.
Make sure your child is wearing appropriate clothes, especially when the weather is hot, light and thin
Avoid covering the child with too many layers of clothes. As a general rule, experts recommend that in any environment babies should wear one more layer of clothing than parents normally wear
Remove unnecessary sheets or blankets from your child's bed
Turn your baby's head or change its position from time to time during sleep

Likewise, hot weather and covering the baby with too many layers can cause sweating while breastfeeding.

Ways to reduce baby sweating

Reducing stimuli is likely to reduce sweating. Here are some tips on how to minimize sweating while breastfeeding:

Use several positions while breastfeeding Use both breasts while breastfeeding as a way to reduce the heat concentration in one spot on the baby's head
Breastfeed in a well-ventilated area of the house
Avoid unnecessary blankets or cloths during breastfeeding
Cover your baby with thin, comfortable clothing

Doing these things while breastfeeding will often reduce or eliminate sweating. If your child still sweats excessively after doing these interventions. It is better to seek the help of a specialist doctor to diagnose the main cause of this problem.

Diseases that cause excessive sweating in infants

Some medical conditions that can cause excessive head sweating in infants are the following:

Hyperhidrosis

Hyperhidrosis is a condition that causes excessive sweating during the day and night regardless of the ambient temperature. Sweating is usually in some areas of the body such as the head, palms and soles of the feet; But it may also happen in other areas of the body. Babies with hyperhidrosis usually get worse as they get older.

Infections

Viral infections such as the common cold or other bacterial infections can cause fever. A child's body may sweat in response to a sudden increase in temperature.

Congenital heart disease

One of the factors that causes a baby to sweat is heart disease. In the presence of congenital heart disease, the child's body is compensating for the heart's blood supply to the body by pumping more blood into the vessels. Congenital heart disease affects about five percent of newborns.

Since babies born with these conditions are allowed to eat milk. Therefore, when they start eating milk, they usually sweat. These symptoms are usually accompanied by a change in the color of bruises in the skin and shortness of breath.

Apnea Sleep

In sleep apnea, the child has short breathing pauses during sleep. This pause usually lasts at least 20 seconds. If your child's night sweats are accompanied by whining, snoring, a strong need to breathe and mouth opening during sleep; You should suspect sleep apnea.

Although babies may usually recover from this condition. But it is better to consult your pediatrician for advice. Hyperthyroidism Babies with hyperthyroidism have active metabolic processes that cause excessive head sweating. These conditions require prompt treatment.

Overall conclusion

Sweating in babies is a normal part of their development. It is most likely that heatstroke can be reduced in their body by taking measures at home. However, excessive sweating can also be a sign of an infection or some rare medical condition.

For this reason, it is still important that if you think your baby's head sweating is out of the normal range, seek the advice of a specialist doctor.

For further reading, you can use the following articles.

Baby head sweating

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/baby-sweating

Dr. Saeed Bitarafan pediatric cardiologist and fetal and pediatric echocardiography