An incubator for maintaining a warm environment for infants includes a substantially elongated resting or bed surface which is surrounded by a hood. At least one side wall of the front side has closable access openings. An air outlet for supplying air into the hood and an air inlet for carrying air away from the hood are provided at the peripheral region of the resting surface. In the incubator, the air is guided to maintain a stable incubator air temperature to reduce heat losses from convection and radiation with the hood closed and, with the front side opened, the buildup of a stable warm-air curtain is promoted. For this purpose, the air outlet is disposed along the front side, and the air inlet is disposed along the rear side opposite this front side.