Why Does My Baby Have Cold Hands And Feet?

You have a little one at home whose hands and feet are colder than the rest of the body. It’s natural for you to wonder “Why does my baby have cold hands and feet?” It is not unheard of, it’s quite common in babies and normal too.

While cold hands and feet in babies are nothing to be alarmed about, sometimes there could be an underlying health condition. Read on to know why your baby has cold hands and feet.

Why Does A Baby Have Cold Hands And Feet?

As mentioned above cold hands and feet in babies is common in newborns. That is because a baby’s system is trying to adjust to the outside world after birth and the heat in the body is distributed to other important organs of the body. This causes the heat to reduce heat in their hands and feet and makes their hands and feet cold. Some of the other possible reasons are

• You may even notice cold hands and feet in babies where they look blue, which normally happens temporarily after a bath when they are feeling cold.  
• A fever in babies may also cause cold hands and feet as their immune system is busy fighting the germs causing heat to be diverted to other parts of their body.

When Should I Worry About Cold Hands And Feet In Babies

Sometimes cold hands and feet in babies may need medical attention as they may be caused by some serious health issues like:

Low Blood Pressure 

If your baby has low blood pressure then the blood flow is delivered to other vital organs such as the brain and heart causing their hands and feet to become cold. Low blood pressure in babies is often accompanied by other symptoms like illness, poor appetite, low energy, and tiredness.

Anaemia

If your baby’s hands and feet are cold most of the time and your baby looks healthy and does not have any fever or any other illness then one of the causes may be anaemia. This is because anaemia causes the amount of oxygen being delivered to the whole body by the red blood cells to decrease.

Malnutrition

Studies show malnutrition in babies may cause cold hands and feet as they cannot regulate the heat production in their bodies.

What Should I Do If My Baby Has Cold Hands And Feet?

Skin-To-Skin Contact 

Skin-to-skin contact, also known as ‘kangaroo care is when a baby is laid directly on the mother’s bare chest after birth, and covered in a warm blanket. The mother and baby stay that way for at least an hour. It’s an important practice in neonatal units. Skin-to-skin contact also helps to keep babies with cold hands and feet warm. 

Add Layers 

If your baby has cold hands and feet, check their stomach and torso area, if that area is warm then that means your baby is fine. If not, cover them in extra layers and make sure their head, hands and feet are covered as well with mittens and socks.

Check The Temperature In The Room

If your baby has cold hands and feet but no other symptoms or fever then there is nothing to worry about. Keep a check on your baby’s room temperature so that it is comfortable; neither too hot nor too cold.

If your baby’s hands and feet are cold and are accompanied by other symptoms mentioned above then consult your doctor.

Cover Image source: freepik