Question

Why does my 7-month-old sweat all the time?

Answer

On the positive side, I have found that infants who sweat easily seem to be less likely to have high fevers because they can cool their skin by evaporation. Having said that, there are some conditions that can underlie excessive sweating. Has your health care provider checked your baby's pulse and blood pressure? An overactive thyroid or some disorders of the adrenal gland can lead to a metabolic rate that's too high. If he is gaining weight, growing normally, and acting fine, with a normal pulse and blood pressure, there is probably nothing wrong.

In the warm summer months your son might be more prone to prickly heat, a rash in the folds of the skin such as the neck and diaper area. These tiny red bumps can be avoided if you use a little powder in the folds after his bath. Put a little on your hand and apply it in the creases rather than shaking the container in the air. Otherwise babies can inhale the powder into their lungs.

What he may have to face later in life if the sweating extends to his feet and hands is problems with wet palms and stinky feet, but we can cross that bridge when we come to it.