Deodorants and breast cancer investigated
Don't let babies overheat
More than 200 parents with babies under one year took part in a survey conducted by the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths. Almost two thirds did not know the correct temperature for a baby's room (16C-20C or 60F-70F) and 64% of parents had homes that were generally too warm.
The causes of cot death aren't known for certain but research suggests that several factors, including overheating, could be responsible for the sudden and unexpected deaths of eight babies every week in the UK. (For more information about current research see What causes cot death?)
As parents, we have a tendency to want to wrap up babies well, particularly against the vagaries of the British weather. Now, we need to question that wisdom. Dr Sara Levene, medical adviser to the foundation said, 'The fact is, a cool baby put to sleep on his or her back is a comfortable and safe baby. In shops, and even on the bus, parents need to think about whether their baby is too hot and remember to remove hats and extra clothing, even though it may mean waking the child'.
Babies find it much harder to regulate their body temperature than adults. They can't just kick blankets or duvets aside if they get too hot. When parents want to gauge body temperature they often touch their baby's cheek, hands or feet but in fact, the correct way to check temperature is by feeling the tummy. If it is hot or sweaty to the touch, then you need to remove a layer of bedding or clothing. To keep a really accurate check on room temperature, the foundation recommends that parents have a thermometer in the room where their baby sleeps.
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