Winter is slowly settling in. While it feels great to stay cooped up in the house, it does get boring after some time. Besides, it is essential for babies as well as parents to go for a stroll outside once in a while. This will help the newborn with adjusting well to the seasons. It is also likely to calm down the fussiness. Knowing how to dress your newborn in winter comes handy here.
However, make sure that you are following proper precautions. After all, newborns can’t self-regulate their temperatures. You should steer away from letting your newborn play in the snow for the same reason. Infants lose heat faster than adults, so clothing acts as a protective gear.
Here are the tips that you should use while dressing your newborn in the winter –
- Use layers for your baby
- Use carriers to keep your baby cosy
- Don’t go overboard with the baby’s stroller
- Zip-ups are your best friends.
Use layers for your baby
As adults, even we need a jacket on top of our clothes. So, the baby should certainly be wrapped in a blanket on top of his coat or snowsuit.
Here’s how to use layers for newborns –
- Make the bottom layer snug, pretty much like leggings and a bodysuit.
- Couple this with a layer of pants and a long-sleeved suit.
- Finish off the look with a jacket, warm cap and boots.
It is quite preferable to use breathable fabrics like muslin and cotton to keep the entire experience fuss-free.
Use carriers to keep your baby cosy
Using carriers is a fantastic way to keep your baby close to your body. Your body heat is very likely to keep him warm too. Besides, that extra layer of the jacket might also be getting uncomfortable for him. No matter what you do, make sure that the hands and feet are covered at all times.
Follow these precautions while using carriers –
- Make sure that the baby’s face is not pressed against your chest or clothing. This can block its airway.
- Most importantly, watch your step! Make sure that you don’t trip and fall.
Don’t go overboard with the baby’s stroller
With so many precautions on your mind, you might go overboard and cover the stroller of the baby with a blanket or an old-fashioned plastic cover. But watch out! This can block its airway and cause serious problems.
These are the alternatives that you can go for –
- Some strollers come with special covers to allow air circulation. Get one of those.
- You can also cover your baby with a jacket, socks, cap and boots. Next, tuck it under a blanket and rest assured, it will stay warm and snuggly.
One more tip: Always try to walk against the direction of the wind.
Zip-ups are your best friends.
With layers and layers of winter clothes, can you imagine how difficult it would get for you to change your baby’s diapers quickly? That’s why you should always opt for zip-ups for the sheer convenience they bring with them. It would also be a piece of cake for you to quickly remove some of the layers if the baby gets too hot.
Dressing your baby for sleep
It is equally important to make sure that the baby is dressed comfortably for sleep. You shouldn’t use loose bedsheet or covers as there is always a danger of strangling. At the same time, you shouldn’t cover it in too many layers as overheating may lead to SIDS. Depending on the temperature in the room, make a wise decision to use either a sleep sack or a swaddling blanket. If you want to sleep tight and yet make sure that your baby is fine, it is a good idea to go for a baby monitor.
Some more tips
Avoid hats or beanies in bed
Baby’s bodies heat up pretty fast. Thus, you must avoid beanies or hats during bedtime. It can also be a choking or suffocation hazard.
Avoid electric blankets or hot water bottles.
There is absolutely no reason why electric blankets or hot water balls should be anywhere near your baby’s bed. Don’t warm its bed with them.
Choose a safe infant sleeping bag.
A safe sleeping bag one which has sleeves but no hood is an ideal choice. Its size should be carefully checked so that the baby doesn’t slip down into the sleeping bag. If you feel that your baby needs extra warmth, you can add additional layers inside the sleeping bag.
Mindfully position the crib
The position of the crib will also greatly determine how comfortable the baby will be throughout the night. Ideally, it should be placed several feet away from air vents, fans and outside walls. You can close all windows and doors to make sure that cold air doesn’t enter the room.
Don’t forget the indoor temperature
When you are fretting about keeping your baby warm outdoors, you shouldn’t overlook indoor heat either. Too much indoor heat reduces humidity which can harm the delicate skin of your newborn. During the daylight hours, the indoor temperature should be as cold as you can tolerate. You can use a sleeper and sleep sack to keep your baby warm and comfy.
Wrapping up
Taking proper precautions is in your hands, and precaution is always better than cure. However, you should also keep an eye open for warning signs of your baby feeling too cold. Unfortunately, if you notice signs like shivering or cold and red hands and feet, don’t rub them to warm them. Rubbing the baby’s skin will only further the damage. Instead, resort to warm washcloths. Lethargy, non-responsiveness and blue hands and feet are other significant signs of a baby being too cold. Put on more warm clothes and if the situation still doesn’t improve, ring up the doctor as soon as possible.
We believe that every set of parents is unique and special. Do you have a special technique to keep your baby warm on winter nights which you would like to share with us? Reach out! We would love to hear from you.