Tips To Help Keep Your Newborn Baby Warm During Winter

If you just had a baby or are about to have a baby in the next few months, you should be prepared for the coming cold months. There is so much to do in preparation for a baby, no matter the season, but in the colder winter month, you should do extra preparations to ensure the baby is always warm.

Babies’ bodies adjust to temperatures much differently than normal people. Their bodies lose heat faster than adults because they don’t have a lot of body fat. When your baby gets cold, they use much oxygen and energy to warm up their bodies. Ensuring that you maintain your baby’s ideal temperature ensures they don’t use up so much of their energy. From the dressing to winterizing the car and their strollers, here are some tips that will help you ensure your baby is warm during the fall and winter months.

Dress your baby in layers

The key to dressing your baby in layers is to keep them warm. And when we say layers, we don’t mean dressing them in bulk clothing. Dressing the baby in bulky clothing will make them uncomfortable and fussier than usual. The baby needs to be comfortable. Same way as you would like. If you can wear a winter jacket on top of your clothing and feel comfortable and not too warm, then your baby will be comfy too. Ensure you dress them as you would. Most people tend to imagine babies feel colder than normal people do.

You can start with a onesie and some leggings and ensure they fit snugly. Then on top of that, you can add a layer of trousers and a long shirt then finish with mittens, a hat and finally a jacket. Don’t forget to keep their bottoms warm in their diapers, and if you are using napkins, a fleece cover would be ideal because it will provide warmth. Remember to buy clothes made of breathable material like cotton or muslin.

Check your baby’s temperature often.

Don’t forget to check your baby’s temperature regularly. This will help you know when to remove or add any layers of clothing. It doesn’t mean that you always use the thermometer, but feeling their necks or foreheads is enough to tell whether they are overheating or feeling too cold. Sometimes baby’s hands may feel cold, but it doesn’t necessarily mean they are feeling cold.

Dressing the baby In breathable material like cotton or wool is an awesome choice for a baby’s winter clothing. The material provides the necessary warmth and is also breathable therefore helping with controlling the baby’s body temperature. Watch out for sweating, damp hair, or heat rash, as these are signs that the baby is overheating, and you may need to lose some layers of the baby’s clothing.

Keeping baby warm when going outside

Whether you need to run errands or go out for some fresh air for the baby or exercise, dressing and preparing for it is essential. They are three options if you will be taking the baby out in the car, carrier, or stroller. If you are using the stroller, you also need to get it winterized. Most strollers come with rain or snow covers that help protect the baby from the elements.

When going out in the cold, you can also add a warm fleece blanket from https://www.lewisishome.com/collections/baby-blankets to keep baby snug and warm when going out in the stroller. If you want to wear your baby when going out, which is a great way to bond with the baby, you can also add a blanket with the baby carrier.

If you are going out in the car, don’t forget to have a car seat installed. Ensure you start the car a few minutes before placing the baby in the car seat so that the car’s interior is not freezing when strapping the baby onto the seat. Remember not to strap the baby while they are wearing the jacket. You can strap the baby without the jacket then cover them with a blanket.

Ensure the indoor temperature is warm

You may be tempted to keep the indoor temperature very high during winter because of the baby, but it’s not advisable to do so. Indoor air is dry and low in humidity. Therefore, it may dry your baby’s delicate skin. If the baby’s skin is dry and scaly, you can invest in a good baby moisturizer.

Ensure your indoor temperature is between 68 degrees Fahrenheit and 73 degrees Fahrenheit where you can tolerate it. When the baby is sleeping, ensure it’s lower between 65 degrees and 68 degrees Fahrenheit, which won’t dry out the baby’s skin and help prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

To ensure the baby is warm enough during winter nights, you can also get a sleeping bag or a wearable blanket which are less risky and will avoid getting the baby tangled up in them while they are asleep. Flannel crib sheets are also another great option for keeping the baby warm at night.

Keeping baby warm during bath time in winter

Ensure the baby’s bathwater is warm enough by using a thermometer. Also, buy hooded towels and keep them close during bath time to cover the baby as soon as they are out of the water. A mommy tip that moms have been using for a while is that while they are in the water, you can use a towel to cover them to keep them warm.

It is also recommended to avoid using antibacterial soaps and let the baby improve their immune system and fight germs on their own.

Be prepared and watch out for any signs.

Always be prepared for any emergencies that may arise when you are at home with the baby. Have extra blankets, warm clothes and a hot water bottle, first aid kits, and the like.

Remember always to observe the baby. If their lips or face turns blue, then that means they are freezing. You can use warm clothing to warm them while you seek help and avoid rubbing their feet or hands to try and rewarm them as this may damage the cold skin. If the child is lethargic or unresponsive, then rush them to the emergency room immediately.