Dr. Komarovsky on why a child sweats in his sleep

Numerous parents have observed that their child wakes up with wet clothes or sheets and have wondered why. Renowned pediatrician Dr. Komarovsky provides insights into this prevalent worry. Parents can feel less anxious and be guided in taking the right action by knowing the causes of their child’s night sweats.

According to Dr. Komarovsky, perspiring while a child sleeps is frequently a typical aspect of their development. A child’s nighttime sweating can be influenced by a number of factors, including the room temperature, the type of bedding used, and the child’s general health. Parents can help their children sleep in a more comfortable environment by taking these factors into consideration.

About the problem

Surprisingly, night sweating is more common than one might think. Statistics show that every tenth patient brings these kinds of complaints to pediatricians. According to Komarovsky, most of the time there is no cause for concern.

Around one month of age is when a child’s sweat glands start to function normally. However, they remain flawed and operate "in test mode" for a duration of 4–6 years. This age range, from one month to six years, is when most complaints about perspiration happen. According to Komarovsky, the issue is typically easily "outgrown."

Another characteristic of thermoregulation in children is that, unlike in adults, it is primarily accomplished by the lungs during breathing rather than the skin. It is not surprising that the baby sweats a lot while sleeping if the air is excessively dry or if he has an upper or lower respiratory tract illness that affects lung function.

Numerous factors affect a child’s ability to sweat, including size and weight (large, plump children perspire more than thin ones) and temperament (active, especially impressionable children perspire more than calm ones). However, the child’s immediate environment and microclimate have the biggest impact.

Possible causes

The majority of the time, night sweats are distinct, typical aspects of the autonomic nervous system’s operation rather than a disease. Everything passes with time, and if it doesn’t, this might also be a typical variation—sweating adults do exist, after all.

Parents are advised by Evgeny Komarovsky to remain composed and uneasy. Sweating can be a sign of a medical condition for the 1-3% of kids who have this issue.

There is no cure for excessive perspiration because it is not a disease in and of itself. Nevertheless, you should see a pediatrician and have the required tests done if the child exhibits other uncomfortable and upsetting symptoms in addition to their hands, feet, and head sweating while they sleep.

There are many illnesses that are linked to increased sweating, including:

• Heart problems;
• Rickets, vitamin D deficiency;
• VSD – vegetative-vascular dystonia;
• Sleep apnea (a syndrome in which involuntary pauses in breathing occur during sleep);
• Problems with the functioning of the immune system, thyroid gland;
• ARI, ARI and other infections with respiratory symptoms;
• Chronic and protracted respiratory diseases;
• Medicinal sweating (reaction to medications).

In cases where the child not only has night sweats but also frequently wakes up, sleeps restlessly, "messes" around in the crib, has a red face upon waking up, breathes unevenly or intermittently, snores, or holds his breath while sleeping, immediate medical attention is necessary. This could be a sign of apnea, which is a potentially fatal illness that needs to be treated.

If the child’s palms and feet are nearly always wet during the day and their head sweats profusely while they sleep, this may not be a sign of a vitamin D deficiency but rather rickets, which can lead to bone tissue deformation.

Thanks to advancements in laboratory diagnostic methods, a physician can determine the actual cause. The pediatrician will almost certainly recommend appointments with allied professionals (cardiologist, orthopedist, neurologist) based on diagnostic techniques such as electrocardiogram, general and extended blood tests, and urine tests.

Tips

Dr. Komarovsky asks to make sure the child has comfortable and ideal sleeping conditions before rushing them to the doctors:

Air temperature

The kids’ room shouldn’t be stuffy and overheated. 18 to 20 degrees is the ideal air temperature (rather than 22 to 25 as mandated by sanitary supervisory authorities in children’s institutions).

Empirical evidence suggests that kids who sleep in rooms with air temperatures below 20 degrees are more energetic and experience fewer illnesses.

At the height of the heating season in the winter, it is especially crucial to keep an eye on the air temperature. To adjust the heating intensity, it is recommended to install a specialized valve on the radiator. Additionally, a thermometer should be hung on the nursery wall, ideally near the bed.

Air humidity

The ideal range for relative humidity in the nursery is between 50 and 70 percent. Presently available are unique gadgets called air humidifiers. If the family budget prevents you from purchasing such a practical item, you can place an aquarium with fish in the child’s room and hang damp towels over the radiator to prevent them from drying out in the winter.

Maintaining the "right" humidity level is crucial to preventing the respiratory organs’ mucous membranes from drying out. If this condition is noted, the infant will have a lower risk of respiratory infections. Additionally, since his pulmonary breathing will be complete, the thermoregulation process will be normal, which will minimize or even completely stop sweating while the baby sleeps.

Airing

The baby will sleep better if he is placed in a room with access to natural light. Any time of year, airing ought to be required. The daily minimum is before bedtime and after bedtime. However, it’s wise to open the window more frequently.

Bed

Fabrics that are synthetic or semi-synthetic should not be used to make bed linens. "Diaphoretic" describes them. Therefore, the only appropriate underwear for a sweaty child (and for everyone else) is natural fabrics without bright patterns, plain or white, and free of textile dyes.

Special baby powder should be used to wash underwear, and it should be rinsed again. Children under the age of two do not require a pillow at all, and synthetic materials should not be used to fill the blanket or pillow.

Clothing

Keep an eye on the child’s sleeping environment. All your efforts will be in vain if you have set up every microclimate possible but still put him to bed in July in a warm pair of fleece pajamas in a room that is well-ventilated and humidified.

Give your child a light wardrobe made of natural materials that suit the season. Depending on the season, it’s preferable to wear summer or winter pajamas. You can also sleep in a T-shirt and pajamas, but the underwear has to be loose so as not to rub or squeeze the child’s skin.

Those who perspire a lot should purchase multiple pajamas so they can swap out one in the middle of the night if needed.

Bathing

It is recommended by Komarovsky to give the child a bath before bedtime. If parents teach their sweaty baby to take cool baths in the evening, it will be more beneficial.

The water should be at +32 degrees when you first start, and it should progressively drop by 0.5 to 1 degree until it is between 26 and 27 degrees. Splashing around in such cool water for 20 to 30 minutes facilitates easier, stronger, and healthier sleep.

After a few weeks of these water treatments, the child will no longer perspire while they sleep because cool water has a positive impact on the function of sweat glands.

Correction of the emotional background

If your baby is overly energetic, hyperexcited, or hyperactive, you should limit his exposure to new, strong impressions before bed. For example, avoid letting him watch new cartoons, turn off the computer, and substitute quiet outdoor games like fairy tale book reading and drawing for active outdoor games.

If your baby is sweaty and restless and there are no other painful symptoms, you can try giving them a gentle massage before bed, going for walks once or twice a week, and taking warm baths with calming herbal infusions like motherwort, valerian, oregano, and mint.

Parents who know why their child perspires while they sleep can take simple steps to address the problem at home. A warm room or wearing too many layers of clothing are common causes.

Dr. Komarovsky reminds us that perspiration doesn’t always indicate a medical condition. Rather, it’s typically a normal reaction to the surroundings and an energetic child’s metabolism.

You can lessen night sweats and guarantee a restful night’s sleep for your child by making sure the room is cool, selecting the proper bedding, and dressing them for sleep.

According to Dr. Komarovsky, children frequently perspire while they sleep because their developing nervous systems are still figuring out how to appropriately regulate body temperature. There are other things that can cause night sweating, like wearing warm clothes, having a warm room, or having inadequate ventilation. In order to assist, parents should make sure the child’s clothing is breathable, the room is cool, and the bedding is comfy.

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