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’s 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’ skin barriers are thinner and more fragile than older children’s, making them more susceptible to dry, itchy, scaly skin that is often closely associated with cold winter temperatures, low humidity, and dry room heat. In order to protect the delicate skin of newborns, bathing is done only once 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 it can’t be like that anymore!) After gently patting your little pieces dry, apply a fragrance-free moisturizer all over your body. Know that sticky cream-like moisturizers lock in moisture better than creams. Reapply often! (Is your child’s dry skin a sign of eczema?) Find out. )
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 increased 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 only dress them in an extra layer of clothing than you are. (Diapers are not a layer.) Cotton or muslin pyjamas combined with a lightweight swaddle blanket or breathable mesh sleeping bag like the Sleepea 5 Seconds Swaddle are an ingenious combination. Remember: don’t let all loose blankets into your baby’s sleeping space and always put your baby to sleep on his back.
Avoid Overly Restrained Sleep
The best way to keep babies safe and warm during sleep is to only dress them in an extra layer of clothing than you are. (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, which are not breathable and can cause 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 swaddling clothes with a TOG of 2.0 to 3.5, such as our breathable cotton quilt Sleepea, which is perfectly insulated and keeps your newborn safe and comfortable during a cool sleep. Remember: During the first year of your baby’s life, don’t let all loose blankets into your baby’s sleeping space and always put your baby to sleep on his back.
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 outdoors. In fact, according to a 2019 study, spending 20 minutes in nature is enough to improve well-being – something that all new parents can take advantage of. In addition, babies who are 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 of (breathable) clothing to stay warm and comfortable. Start with 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 give your baby an extra layer than you do. (And if your baby is too hot, just peel off one layer.)
Pack! 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 are covered.
Add a blanket. Pushing a stroller out for a walk? Cover your newborn baby with a blanket or use a stroller bunting.
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. Make sure your baby’s head and feet are covered and comfortable, as they lose a lot of heat there. And go ahead and check your newbies to make sure their faces aren’t pressing on your chest… or their own. (The baby’s neck should be straight and the chin up.)
Know the Warning Signs
It’s a delicate balance to make sure your baby isn’t too cold or too hot throughout the winter bondage! 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 in swaddling clothes, and provide warm breast milk or formula. If your baby’s symptoms don’t change, call your pediatrician again.
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. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), this is especially true during the winter months, when the number of patients is high. 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 if possible. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, breast milk can give newborns a head start in 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 pertussis, flu, and COVID-19 vaccines, if applicable.
- Limit visitors. For newborns, it is important to limit guests to very close family and friends. And, if possible, minimize the newborn’s contact with the older child.