Process for operating an incubator

The present invention pertains to a process for operating an incubator with at least one first temperature sensor for determining the temperature T in the interior space of the incubator, at least one second temperature sensor for determining the skin temperature T of the patient, a heating means for the incubator, and a measuring and control unit. A process for operating an incubator particularly suitable for a certain type of care ("kangaroo care") is disclosed. The process is activated by device of an input element at a time t. A measuring and control unit controls the heating device as a function of the temperature measured by the temperature sensor, of which there is at least one, in the interior space of the incubator such that the temperature measured in the interior space of the incubator during a preceding time period t-tis used as the set point for the temperature in the interior space of the incubator. The skin temperature of the patient, which is determined by the second temperature sensor is compared with preset upper and/or lower temperature limit values for the skin temperature and an alarm is triggered by the measuring and control unit when these limit values are overshoot and/or undershot. An alarm circuit triggers an alarm as a function of the opening of the incubator and the associated temperature change in the incubator. This is deactivated for the period t-tfollowing t. The process is deactivated at the time tby the input element.