Preterm or sick babies often struggle to regulate their body temperature, however, maintaining warmth is crucial for their wellbeing. Hypothermia, or low body temperature, is linked to a higher risk of future health complications and loss of life.

Types of Incubators

Incubators come in different designs to help with temperature regulation:

• Closed-box incubators: These have hand holes on the side to maintain heat and humidity, preventing excessive moisture loss from your baby's delicate skin.
• Open-top incubators: These feature overhead heaters and/ or heated mattresses.

Temperature inside the incubator is managed in two ways:

• Manual controls: Adjusted by healthcare staff.
• Automatic sensors: These monitor your baby's skin temperature. If the sensor dislodges or malfunctions, an alarm alerts the nursing staff to check and adjust the incubator temperature.

Skin-to-skin or Kangaroo Mother Care should ideally begin within the first day – when possible, the first hour – of a baby’s life and continue regularly thereafter. This practice not only aids in temperature regulation but also fosters a close connection and attentive care. However, it is important to acknowledge that many extremely preterm babies may not immediately engage in skin-to-skin care due to their transition to life outside the womb. 

While preventing hypothermia⍰ is a primary concern, it is equally essential to avoid hyperthermia⍰ (body temperature >38.0˚C (100.4°F)). This can inadvertently occur when multiple interventions are employed to prevent hypothermia. 

For any concerns about your baby's comfort or temperature regulation, do not hesitate to speak with your healthcare team.