Every parent is worried about how to take care of their babies during winter. In cold and inclement winter weather, keeping your baby comfortable can be a particular challenge. Newborns usually cannot regulate internal body temperature. That's why it's important to make sure they stay warm.
As a parent, I have to know how to protect my baby in winter at home. By following a few tips, you can help your child feel safe and comfortable in winter. I have discussed in my article how to take care of your baby in winter, what kind of clothes to wear, how to take care of them when you go out of the house or ride in the car, and how to take care of them while sleeping at night.
Why Do Babies Need Extra Care in Winter?
A very young baby should not be left outside for long periods after the temperature has dropped below freezing. Even when temperatures are above freezing, wind chill can make the situation dangerous.
"Little ones lack the ability to regulate their body temperature," says Dr. Janice Montague. Babies lose heat more quickly than adults, the younger they are, the less resistant they are to cold. Young babies do not have the ability to generate heat by shivering and do not have the body fat to keep warm when they are cold.
Cold weather is especially dangerous for babies who have asthma. So babies who have asthma need to take special care in winter. Otherwise, they may have breathing problems. In winter every parent should keep an Inhaler and nebulizer machine at home. Moreover, babies can get serious diseases like colds, coughs, and even pneumonia in winter. Therefore, babies should be extremely careful about catching cold in winter.
How To Keep Your Baby in Cold Weather
How to take care of your baby while indoors or outdoors in winter is discussed below.
Dressing in Winter
Layers are important when dressing your infant for the cold. A layer helps keep them warm every time your child is in and out of the car seat. A good rule of thumb is to use one more coat than necessary. If you feel comfortable wearing a coat over your clothes, consider sending your baby in a coat or snowsuit.
Baby can feel hot if using an extra layer of clothes. Therefore, according to the type of cold, additional layers should be added to the baby's clothes. Bottoms can be customized, like leggings or bodysuits. Additionally, you can also wear a layer of pants. At the top, you can put on a long-sleeved shirt. Finally, keep the hands and feet of your baby warm by wearing warm coats, hats, mittens, and booties. Fabrics like cotton and linen are suitable for your baby.
Take Care in the Car
Despite the low temperatures, it is very important to never put your child in a car seat with a jacket or snowsuit. When it's cold, it may seem counterintuitive to take off your child's coat in the car. However, the problem with this cute little sling is that in the event of an accident, the material may compress, creating space where your kid could become unsecured.
Coats or jackets are not safe. Because they require the car seat harness to be loosened to fit them, they are dangerous because they have the potential to compress in an accident, creating a large space between the child and the harness, and increasing the possibility of injury.
The best system is to place your child in the car seat first and, if necessary, lay them down. Then layer over top with a warm cloth or blanket. If you want to use a car seat cover, you will need to purchase one that only covers the lower part of the baby without covering the entire body. Instead, you can use a blanket on top and remove it once the car has warmed up to prevent babies from overheating.
You can also preheat the car to keep your baby comfortable. Keep an eye on the baby while in the car so that the blanket does not come over his face.
Take Care While Sleeping
It is important to take care while an infant sleeps in bed at night to prevent them from being cold. A blanket should be placed over the baby while sleeping at night. A cap should be given on the head which covers up to his ears. But the hat should not be too heavy, otherwise the child's head may sweat. Socks must be worn on baby's feet. Since parents are sleeping at night, children should be dressed very carefully.
If possible, wake up occasionally during the night to see if everything is okay. Because babies tend to roll over more during sleep. This can cause the blanket to slide off of them. But the best method is to put the baby in the middle of the parent instead of in the cradle and put a big blanket over the parent with the baby. As a result, no matter how much the baby rolls around, the blanket will not be likely to come off. Another important thing is to check the baby's diaper occasionally at night. Diapers should be changed immediately when the baby poops. If not, the kid can get a cold.
Stay Home at Extreme Cold
It is not at all safe to take your baby outside or travel in the car if the temperature drops below freezing or it is raining with a cold wind outside. However, if there is an emergency, your child should first put on a jacket, and then a hat that covers his ears. An extra blanket and stroller blanket should also be kept.
When you stay outside, keep an eye on your baby for any discomfort. If you see that his face is red, his body is hot or he feels discomfort, then you should realize that he is overheated. And if you see tears in his eyes and his body is cold, then you understand that he was not properly covered with warm clothes.
The Proper Way to Use A Stroller
In winter, you should cover your baby's stroller with a blanket or protect it with plastic wrap. However, this can restrict airflow to the baby and increase the risk of choking.
Many strollers have covers designed specifically for that brand to ensure air circulation. Alternatively, dress your baby in a coat, hat, romper, and booties, then tuck him under a chest-high blanket to keep him warm and cozy in the stroller.
Comfortable Room Temperature
You may be worried that your baby is too cold inside, but being too hot inside can also be a problem. If the room temperature is high, the baby's skin can become dry. To avoid this, keep the room temperature fairly cool during the day, between 68F and 72F.
Baby Skin Care at Winter
Baby's skin is not like adults' skin. It takes 2 to 5 years for their skin to fully form. Baby's skin is very sensitive. Due to cold temperatures, wind, and dry air, children's skin may become dry and skin rashes may occur.
Wash your baby 2 to 3 days a week in winter. Warm water should be used while bathing. Use cleansers such as CeraVe Baby Wash and CeraVe Baby Shampoo at the time of bathing. After bathing, dry your baby and apply moisturizing baby lotion all over his body. This will prevent your baby's skin from drying. You can use Aveeno or CeraVe moisturizing lotion. Both of them are great for babies.
In conclusion, babies need a little extra care in winter. If parents are a little aware and take proper care of their babies, it is possible to protect them from various diseases in winter.