Winter is right around the corner, and that means watching pretty snowfall and the holiday season. But winter also means cold weather and having to bundle up to protect against it. Bundling up in the winter is especially important for babies and infants.
Fresh air helps babies get used to the seasons and the night and day cycle. Unless it’s dangerously cold, allow your baby outside during the winter is essential for their development. But that means you should follow safety precautions.
Here are five ways for how to keep a baby warm in winter months.
1. Watch Indoor Temperature
You can’t control the weather outside, but you can control the temperature in your home. Heat inside your lowers humidity, and that can mean problems for a baby’s delicate skin. Try to avoid cranking up the heat during the day.
Temperatures between 68°F and 72°F are best during the day. At night, temperatures between 65°F and 68°F can help reduce the risk of SIDS. Just be sure to dress your baby warmly before bed.
2. Layer Your Baby’s Clothes
A staple of winter fashion is layering, and that doesn’t change when it comes to baby clothes. The bottom layer should be a snug option like a bodysuit or leggings. On top of that, your baby can wear pants or long sleeves.
When going outside, be sure to add a jacket, mittens, a hat, and booties to keep them warm. It’s also important to remember to take the coat off in the car, so the straps of the car seat fit snugly.
3. Try to Keep the Wind Away
Whether you’re indoors or outdoors, you want to keep excess air off of your baby. Place their crib away from the windows, air vents, fans, or outside walls. Be sure to keep windows and doors closed to prevent cold air from entering the room.
Use stroller covers to keep the wind off a baby when they’re outside. And do your best to walk against the wind.
4. Use a Footmuff
Parents swear by footmuffs. Using footmuffs can keep your baby warm and properly insulated in the winter months. Many parents in Scandinavian countries use these when letting their babies nap outside.
While you may not opt for outdoor sleeping, a footmuff will keep your baby warm when venturing outside the home.
5. Keep Baby Close
You can also keep your baby warm with your own body heat. Wearing your baby in a carrier has many benefits besides the heat, including the physical intimacy of closeness. Your body can provide an extra cozy and warm place in the winter.
Just be sure to always cover your baby’s head and feet. And make sure their face is not pressed up in your chest or clothing so their airway isn’t blocked.
How to Keep a Baby Warm in Winter Months
Because infants lose body heat faster than adults, it’s essential to prepare your baby for the lower temperatures. Babies don’t have the body fat to regulate their own heat, so these tips on how to keep a baby warm in winter months will help protect them.
Using some of these methods, you’ll be able to take your baby outside and allow them to get the fresh air needed for their development. The winter months and the holiday season can be a magical time.
Just take the precautions to protect your baby so that they can enjoy these exciting firsts.
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