Caring for a newborn can be overwhelming, no matter what the season. But when the season is winter, well, that adds another layer of (warm and furry) stress to the situation! The threat of icy temperatures, slippery sidewalks, bacteria-infested strangers, and strong winds is enough to keep new parents and their newborn babies hibernate into spring. But there is no need! From the common cold to cold weather, here’s how to keep your newborn safe and healthy all winter long.
Prevents Dry Skin
Newborns have a thinner and more fragile skin barrier than older children, so they are more likely to develop dry, itchy, scaly skin, which is often closely related to cold temperatures, low humidity and dry indoor heat in winter. To protect the delicate skin of your newborn, bathe every three days. (Water can further dry your baby’s skin.) Keep the bathtub temperature at around 100 degrees Fahrenheit and carry the newborn out within five minutes. (Older babies can change it to a 10-minute bath, but that’s not the case anymore!) After gently pat your little pieces dry, apply a fragrance-free moisturizer all over. Know that sticky cream-like moisturizers lock in moisture better than creams.
Do Not Heat
Set the thermostat between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit… And it couldn’t be higher! While you naturally want to keep your baby comfortable and warm in the winter, it’s not a good idea to set the temperature too high. Yes, newborns’ skin can be dry, but more importantly, babies can overheat, which can make them feel uncomfortable, disrupting their sleep… and improve the quality of their sleep. Risk of Infant Sleep Death (SIDS). In fact, babies are at a higher risk of SIDS during the winter months. The best way to keep babies safe and warm during sleep is to dress them in just one extra layer of clothing than you do. (Diapers are not a layer.) Cotton or muslin pajamas with a lightweight swaddling blanket or a sleeping bag made of breathable mesh. Remember: Do not place all loose blankets in your baby’s sleeping space and always put your baby to sleep on his or her back.
Avoid Over-Bundling Sleep
The best way to keep your baby safe and warm during sleep is to give them only one extra layer of clothing than you do. (Diapers are not a layer.) Make sure all layers are made of cotton or muslin and not synthetic materials like wool or certain knitted fabrics. It is not breathable and can lead to dangerous overheating. To help you wrap your baby better, check the tog rating of your swaddling or sleeping bag, which is its overall grade of warmth, which typically ranges from 0.5 to 3.5 on a scale.
The higher the TOG rating, the warmer the swaddling or sleeping bag. For example, if your baby’s room temperature is 68 degrees Fahrenheit or lower, dress your baby in long-sleeved cotton pajamas, with or without a cotton onesie, and use a swaddling swaddle with a TOG of 2.0 to 3.5, such as our breathable cotton swaddling Comforter Sleepea, which is perfectly insulated to keep your newborn safe and comfortable during a cool sleep. Remember: all loose blankets are outside of your baby’s sleeping space during the first year, and always keep your baby on his back in bed.
Enjoy the Outdoors This Way
Newborns don’t have the ability to regulate their core body temperature, they lack the shiver reflex to raise body temperature in the cold, and they don’t have enough fat to do that. But that doesn’t mean you and your family should stay indoors all season! It’s important to take your baby out to play. In fact, according to a 2019 study, spending 20 minutes in nature is enough to improve well-being, which is something that all new parents can take advantage of. In addition, babies who are regularly exposed to natural light outdoors sleep better than those who are not. Just follow these rules:
- Check the temperature. If the outside temperature is below freezing, limit your newborn’s outdoor time to quick short trips, such as to and from the comfort of a car.
- Embrace the layers. Newborns and babies need several layers (breathable!) clothes to keep warm and comfortable. Start by choosing a long-sleeved cotton jumpsuit, then add soft pants, socks, and a sweatshirt or sweater. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), it’s usually best to dress your baby with an extra layer of > than the one you’re wearing. (And if your baby is too hot, just peel off one layer.)
- Bundle it up! If you are wearing a winter coat, your newborn should also wear a coat or snow suit. Since newborns’ ears, hands, and toes are most susceptible to frostbite, it’s important to make sure they’re covered.
- Add a blanket. Going out with a stroller? Cover your newborn baby with a blanket or use a stroller bunting.
- Put it on for your baby. With a baby carrier, your own body temperature helps keep your body warm, so there may not be a need for an extra sweater or sweatshirt. It’s important to keep your baby’s head and feet covered and comfortable, as they lose a lot of heat there. And go ahead and check on your newbies to make sure their faces aren’t pressed against your chest… Or their own chest. (Your baby’s neck should be straight and his chin up.)
Use Car Seats Wisely
So do you know how you wrap your baby? If you’re going to buckle them to a car seat… Now it’s time to unravel them. The AAP states that, in general, bulky winter coats and snow suits should not be worn under car seat belts. You see, the force of a car accident can immediately squash the fluffy padding of your baby’s snow suit, leaving extra space under the harness, thus endangering your baby’s. No matter what your baby is wearing, if you can pinch the strap of your car seat belt, you will need to pull it tight to fit your baby’s chest. To keep them warm during the trip, secure your baby in a car seat and place a blanket on their lower body. But be sure to remove the car after it has warmed up so as not to cause your child to overheat.
Know the Warning Signs
It’s a delicate balance between making sure your baby doesn’t get too cold… It’s not too hot either, it’s wrapped up all winter! Touch your child’s ears and neck. If their ears are red and hot, and their neck is sweaty, your baby is too hot. Try removing a layer of clothing, offering breast milk or formula, and wiping your baby with warm or cold water with a sponge. If symptoms do not improve, contact your pediatrician. To tell if your little one is too cold, place your hands on their back, chest, or abdomen. If your baby is cold to the touch, wear an extra layer of clothing to warm them up. However, if you suspect that your baby who is too cold has entered the frostbite danger zone, apply a warm towel to your baby’s cold ears, nose or lips for a few minutes. Next, dry your baby, wrap them and offer warm breast milk or formula. Again, if your baby’s symptoms don’t change, call your pediatrician.
Keep Away from Germs
For newborns, the best way to prevent the common cold is to stay away from people who are sick and have a runny nose. Especially in winter, when the number of sick people is high, please be aware of AAP. While the common cold is usually a mild illness for older children, it can quickly lead to serious problems in babies, such as bronchiolitis, croup, or pneumonia. If your baby is 3 months old or younger, call your pediatrician at the first sign of illness. Help keep your newborn safe from colds by doing the following:
- Breastfeed as much as possible. According to the AAP, breast milk can give your newborn a head start when it comes to preventing and fighting infections. Breast milk contains antibodies, proteins, fats, sugars, and even white blood cells that fight infection… Even a small amount of supplemental formula can help.
- Hand washing. Do this often and insist that visitors do the same.
- Avoid crowds. While it’s okay to go out with a newborn, avoid people who may cough and sneeze.
- Vaccination. Make sure that adults and children around the newborn are up to date with the pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine, flu shots, and COVID-19 shots, if applicable.
- Limit visitors. For newborns, it is important to reduce guests to very close family and friends. And, if possible, minimize the newborn’s contact with the older child.