Baby Sweating Usually Not Major Medical Problem
There are some people that are trying to draw a connection between baby sweating and sudden infant death syndrome, SIDS, but numerous studies and research projects have ruled out sweating as a sign of SIDS. Although SIDS typically is explained as the baby simply stopped breathing, there is little to indicate the exact cause of why this autonomic function occurs. Additionally, there is no indication that baby sweating can be an indication of whether an infant will suffer from SIDS.
Many infants do sweat, especially during the early months of life, often considered a period during which not all of their bodily functions have matured. Establishing their core body temperature may take a few months during which it is common for an infant to wake up with their hair soaked as though they just climbed out of the bath. Understand that baby sweating is probably more noticeable on the head since, as infants, the head is the largest surface area of the baby.
In most cases, should not be concern for the parents, but whenever they have any questions concerning their babies, they should not hesitate to mention baby sweating to the pediatrician. Sweating is known to accompany heart failure and in rare cases, baby sweating can be an indication of heart problems that need to be found as early as possible.
Balancing Concerns With Coincidence
While many parents who have lost a child to SIDS refer to their infant suffering from baby sweating prior to their death, there is no proven link to the two. In some instances, the infant falls to SIDS after entering daycare or right after the mother returns to work after maternity leave. There is an issue with timing in most cases and baby sweating typically does not enter into the equation.
First, most mothers return to work once the infant is between two and three months old. In most infants, typical baby sweating can occur between two and four months and once the mom goes back to work, the infant can be placed into daycare, again between two and four months of age. The largest number of SIDS' deaths occur in infants between two and four months, and considering all medical factors, there has been no solid connection with any of these factors.
Parents can also sometimes be overly protective with their infants, wrapping them up in blankets while they sleep to keep them warm. If the house is comfortable for the adults without blankets or heavy sweaters, chances are the extra protection for the infant is going to result in baby sweating and not because of any major health issues.
