Being a mother is probably something every woman dreams of and no matter what pain and hardships during pregnancy it takes you to become one, just one glance at your little one once he or she is born can indeed make your day and your entire life for that matter! But however jolly an experience it is to become a mother, there is no use denying the fact that the entire journey from carrying your baby in the womb for nine whole months to giving birth and then living up to his or expectations until the baby grows up, is no cake walk and as mothers, a lot of sacrifice is indeed required to raise a child.

If you have just become a mother, and that too for the very first time, we no what you are going through and trust me, that is perfectly normal. It is absolutely okay to be perplexed about the little problems of your baby and then panicking over them. You might have often noticed you baby sweating while you are breastfeeding him or her and dismissed it as something not so serious for one or two times. But if you keep noticing this again and again and are worried about the same, this article is definitely for you. Well, there is not so much to worry about because remember a little sweating during nursing is completely normal, unless it is way too much and uncontrollable. In such cases however, it is always better to be safe than sorry and hence if you feel that the sweating is abnormal and not something that every baby goes through, then, of course consult a pediatrician. We have however tried to make things easier for you. Following is an explanation of the causes and remedies that you might want to know if your baby sweats while nursing.

Baby Sweating: 11 Reasons Your Baby Sweats During Nursing

Causes

Increase in body temperature

Babies normally sweat when breastfeed as the skin of the child gets a little warm by being held against the warm skin of the nursing mother. In other words, it is the intimacy between the baby and the mother which increases his body temperature and subsequently stimulates the baby’s natural cooling mechanism by way of sweating.

Too much physical activity

Another reason why your baby might be sweating when being fed is that he or she had to spend a lot of energy suckling, when feeding. This might surprise you, but imagine, if running for ten minutes or exercising for a little time can leave us fatigues, how strenuous would it be for the little baby to move his jaws while suckling. Hence, just as we sweat when we are too fatigues, it is often the same for your baby!

Being held in the same position

Most mothers tend to keep the baby in the same position while nursing and seem to hold the baby tight with the palm of her hand so that the process of feeding becomes safe and comfortable. But while this palm provides warmth and support to the baby, this might also result in sweating as the baby is constantly being held so close and tight to the mother in the same position.

Too many clothes on your baby

This sweating may, at certain times, result from very obvious conditions as well. If it is extremely hot around, or you have covered your baby with too many layers of clothes while nursing, he or she may sweat too.

Health issues

Abnormal sweating at times however can indicate health issues which require immediate medical attention and treatment. Such problems include fever, hyperthyroidism, congestive heart failures, Pulmonary Artesia or in worst cases even SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). But such cases are indeed rare and you should not worry about these unless the sweating is really serious and uncomfortable.

Remedies

Keep the surroundings comfortable

Whenever you are nursing your baby, make sure that the room is well-ventilated and a proper temperature is maintained. The room should be neither too cold, not to warm. Just as your baby might catch cold if the room is to breezy or cool, he or she might also start sweating if the room is very warm. Therefore, an optimum temperature, just the like desirable for your baby should be maintained.

Take care of the clothes

While you are breastfeeding, you and your baby will be in a tight embrace. Therefore, you must take care of what you are wearing, as well as what you are making your baby wear. Make sure you dress the baby in light cotton clothes in the summer months as that will help keep your baby cool. Make sure the material is soft on your baby’s skin. If you are feeding during the winter months, check that your woolen garment does not touch your baby’s body directly, as it can cause skin irritation.

Make sure the posture is correct

While holding the baby, do not press your palm on the baby for a very long time or so not hold him so tight constantly so that he or she might feel uncomfortable as this too could lead to sweating.

Give the baby some space

If you are nursing you baby at home in private, try not to cover his head up using some cloth as that might cause him or her difficulty in breathing. This might also raise the baby’s body temperature, causing him to sweat while being fed. If you are breastfeeding in a public place and are uncomfortable maintaining this, make sure you use a cotton nursing cloak while feeding the baby.

Try switching positions

Try switching your baby’s position by changing breasts when nursing him or her. Holding the baby on a fixed position for a long period of time might cause the baby to sweat. Switching positions would make the baby more comfortable and so, he might not sweat as much.

Make the baby comfortable

If your baby seems uncomfortable, lightly blow air over his head to reduce any sweating. This might provide some artificial ventilation to the baby, thus reducing the sweating.

If all these do not work out for your baby and you still find him or her sweating a lot during nursing, it is always safer to consult a doctor. Remember, prevention is better than cure and so, there is no harm to just verify from the doctor if everything is fine. Good luck!