Night sweats are defined as drenching sweats that require you to change your bedclothes (1). Excessive sweating in babies can affect their sleep. Although it might worry you to see your baby sweating in sleep, it’s not always a sign of a medical condition. Read this post to learn about the causes and treatment for babies sweating at night and know when to consult a doctor.
Is Night Sweat In Babies Normal?
A baby sweating at night is not always a cause for concern. Various reasons cause nocturnal sweating, and not all of them indicate a problem. Consult a pediatrician in the case of sudden onset of heavy sweating that continues for a prolonged period and is accompanied by other symptoms of an illness. Po-Chang Hsu, MD, MS, a Greater Boston-based medical expert, explains, “Night sweats are typically divided into primary (regular sweating that happens during deep sleep or when it’s warm in the room) and secondary (sweating caused by health issues such as fever).”
Why Do Babies Sweat While Sleeping?
The following are a few reasons that might cause sweating in babies at night. Discuss with your doctor if you have any doubts regarding the excess sweating in your baby. Observing the baby’s sweating pattern and making some changes might help in bringing down the amount of sweat.
Tips To Deal With Baby’s Sweating While Sleeping
Bringing a few changes to the baby’s surroundings might help in reducing night sweats in babies. If the baby continues to be sweaty, then they might have a fever. Do not hesitate to consult a pediatrician as the first line of management.
When To Consult A Doctor For Baby’s Night Sweating?
Making a few changes might usually resolve the sweating problem in babies. However, you should see a doctor soon if the following signs and symptoms occur.
Your baby has a body temperature higher than 38°C or 100.4°F (10). If they snore, gasp for breath, or take long pauses between breathing while sleeping, it might indicate that he/she has obstructive sleep apnea. They might also exhibit difficulty in feeding (6). The baby is not gaining weight normally, and especially when sweating happens while the baby tries to feed.
