Have you ever wondered why your kid gets hot while you’re nursing? Have you encountered it multiple times?
Baby sweats while eating is not unheard of in the parenting realm.
However, most parents, especially first-time parents, don’t know how to deal with such a situation.
It’s reasonable enough to be worried at first but do not panic. There could be a myriad of reasons why your baby sweats while eating.
Some of these reasons are typical for toddlers, and still, others might require medical attention.
Let’s take a more comprehensive look and gain insightful information about why your little angel sweats while eating.
Even better, you will learn possible remedies and treatments to help with the sweating.
Baby Sweats While Eating
As already outlined, there could be several reasons why your little one sweats.
Sweating or perspiration is a typical human body activity to help cool the body.
Therefore, your baby sweating even when feeding is quite normal. The problem arises when it turns out to be excessive.
Primarily, there are two reasons for the common sweating of babies.
First, toddlers’ bodies are not yet developed, and they are learning how to regulate their temperatures.
Also, babies tend to get overdressed most of the time, and this can result in sweating.
And since they can’t communicate to us, parents and caregivers should take sweating as a cue to disrobe the excessive garments.
Other reasons why your baby sweats while eating include:
1. Close Connections When Nursing
When breastfeeding, you might be in close contact with your little angel.
The skin-to-skin touch will make the baby feel warmer than usual, and the baby’s sweat glands will release sweat.
2. Sucking Energy
Nursing requires a lot of energy when the baby is sucking. This tends to be a kind of exercise for the baby, and they might sweat.
Alternatively, your baby might be suffering from ankyloglossia or tongue tie.
As a result, the small fold of tissue reaching from the floor of the mouth to the underside of the tongue might fail to coordinate sucking, swallowing, and breathing.
Consequently, your baby will tire from the struggle and will release sweat.
If you notice your infant has trouble sucking from the beginning, consult your doctor.
Tongue-tie is an urgent health condition that needs diagnosis and treatment as promptly as possible.
3. Room Temperature
A cramped up room without proper ventilation will likely cause your baby to sweat.
Additionally, high temperatures will cause the room to overheat, causing your little one discomfort and sweat.
4. Too Many Layers of Covering
Besides over-dressing your little one, they can warm up due to the many layers they are covered in.
This is prevalent in public, where mom tends to cover themselves and the baby for privacy.
Blankets and even thin and breathable covers might overheat the baby, causing them to sweat.
5. Being Held in The Same Position For Long
Most parents prefer nursing their babies in the cradle position. In most cases, the mother’s hand holds the baby on their forehead.
The forehead and scalp have the majority of a child’s sweat glands. Consequently, the warmth from the palm will trigger the baby’s glands causing them to sweat.
Also read a related post: Baby’s Breath Smells Like Sour Milk
When to Consult a Doctor
As already outlined, sweating is prevalent for babies.
However, if it’s excessive, your baby might be having an underlying condition, and it would be best if you consulted a pediatrician.
Also, seek medical advice if you notice the following signs:
- If the baby doesn’t eat enough and gets too tired immediately, they start feeding.
- If they aren’t gaining weight or are losing weight.
- When breastfeeding, if your baby has trouble breathing or occasionally gasps for air.
- If your baby’s skin turns pale blue. This can result from insufficient oxygen from the circulating blood.
Excessive sweating might result in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome ( SIDS ).
Most mothers whose kids have suffered from SIDS reported their kids experiencing excessive perspiration.
Remedies to Baby Sweats While Eating
- Dress your little one in breathable cotton fabric. Avoid polyester clothes. Also, when nursing your baby, it would be best if you didn’t wear polyester or woolen clothes.
- Avoid rooms without ventilation when feeding your baby. Instead, please keep them in airy or well-ventilated rooms with moderate temperatures.
- Use soft and breathable covers or cotton nursing cloaks if you have to cover your little one when feeding them in public. Avoid layers of blankets.
- Ensure your baby isn’t wearing caps or scarfs on their head when feeding. It’s best to keep their heads bare to let them breathe.
- Ensure your baby feeds on both breasts. This way, they won’t remain in the same position during the entire process.
Baby sweating while eating shouldn’t always be something to wreck your nerves.
In most cases, simple adjustments such as undressing their heavy garments will remedy the situation.
Also, as their body develops, they will learn to regulate their body temperatures.
Nevertheless, always consult your doctor if your baby’s sweating doesn’t get better after the above measures or if it happens constantly and excessively.
Frequently Asked Questions
When Do Babies Start Sweating?
Babies are born with apocrine and eccrine glands, which are responsible for sweat.
Eccrine glands are responsible for sweat and are active on an infant’s forehead after birth and progressively to the torso and limbs.
On the other hand, apocrine glands, responsible for body odor, become active during puberty.
Iesha is a loving mother of 2 beautiful children. She’s an active parent who enjoys indoor and outdoor adventures with her family. Her mission is to share practical and realistic parenting advice to help the parenting community becoming stronger.
