As winter lurks around the corner, new parents are more worried about their newborn than anything else. This season, you need to take extra precautions and protect your baby in the best possible way. The cold can affect them, making them feel chilly and uncomfortable which can lead to a problem with their sleeping schedule and other health-related problems. However, this is also the case for when the weather gets too hot, they get irritated and unsettled.
But focusing on your newborn baby care in winter, we are here to relieve some of your worries by providing you with the best and healthy care tips to keep your baby warm and happy this winter season. Those who are on track with their development can maintain a normal body temperature with ease.
We’ve put together a list of essential tips that will help you to understand how to prepare for cold weather and protect your baby from the winter. Read to find out more about how to keep newborn baby warm this winter.
10 Essential Tips for Newborn Baby Care in Winter
Newborn babies struggle with regulating their body temperature when compared to adults or older kids and adults. Because of this, they have a higher risk of hypothermia, even when they are exposed to the cold for a short time. Here are some essential tips on how to keep baby warm this winter.
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Baby Massage Oil in Winter:
Cold weather and the lack of humidity can lead to dry, scaly, and itchy skin for everyone but especially for babies. Make a habit of bathing them quickly but effectively in warm water. Moisturizing should become one routine that you should never forgot. To double up on moisture, get a baby massage oil in winter that is safe for them.
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Clothes to Keep Baby Warm:
Layer up on your baby’s clothing and go for fabrics that are suitable for the winter season. You want something thick to provide warmth without overheating them. This will keep your baby body warm and cosy. Invest in good clothing items and layers like the wide range of safe baby clothing available at Cocoon Care.
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Check Your Environment:
Ensure that your interior/home is set to a good temperature. Invest in some heater or other safe source of heat for your home and your baby’s room. Also, make sure that there isn’t too much indoor heat which can be a problem.
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Winter Baby Essentials to Stay Warm:
An extension of the second point; invest in all the essentials that will keep them warm throughout the winter season like swaddles, socks, mittens, beanies, blankets, warm nightsuits, baby blankets, and many more.
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Watch Out for Signs:
Always be on the lookout for signs. If your baby starts showing signs of benign affected by the cold like shivering, or their face, hands, and feet have turned pale and hard or are cold and red then bring them inside right away. Avoid rubbing these cold areas to warm them up because it could cause more damage. Rather, use warm washcloths to softly and lightly reheat their skin. If it doesn’t improve after a few minutes, then call your doctor.
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Breastfeed Your Baby
Winter often brings along the common cold, flu and other respiratory illness. The antibodies in breast milk will help your baby fight illness and stay healthy. Keep them warm, wrapped up in a soft bamboo baby blanket during the feeding sessions. These are gentle on delicate baby skin and give an extra layer of comfort. This is an important step in baby winter care.
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Maintain Your Own Hygiene
Winter care for babies can be overwhelming when it comes to hygiene. As per the Indian Academy of Paediatrics, the duration of baths for babies should not exceed 5-10 minutes as longer baths will dry up their skin quickly. In winter, you can even shorten bathing time and bathe them only a few times a week. Use only lukewarm water and gentle absorbent bath towels. Use damp, hypoallergenic wash clothes to clean up your newborn on no-bath days. Be sure to maintain your personal hygiene too. Keep your baby’s surroundings clean and sanitized.
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Opt For Warm and Safe Baby Blankets
We couldn’t stress enough on safety when it comes to baby blankets. It is never safe for newborns to sleep unattended with loose blankets as they easily cover the mouth and nose and may lead to suffocation. Use a swaddling blanket and wrap them snug so that there are no loose ends. For babies who don’t like swaddling and like to sleep in an arm up position, our arms up swaddle pod is an excellent solution and should be on your newborn baby winter clothes list.
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Enough Vitamin D
Ensure that your baby gets at least 5-10 minutes of sunlight every day. Plan for early morning or late afternoon exposure, as the UV levels are less during this time. Keep your baby protected from direct sunlight. Dress them up in newborn baby winter wear and lightweight baby caps. If your baby is not getting enough sun exposure, consider talking to your paediatrician for supplements.
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Moisturise, Moisturise and Moisturise
Your winter baby care routine is incomplete without moisturisers. While choosing one, look for options that are hypoallergenic, paraben and fragrance-free. The best time to use it is immediately after bath, when their skin is still damp. This helps to lock in moisture in the baby's skin - another key point on how to take care of the newborn in winter
We hope these tips have made you feel confident enough to brave this winter season with your newborn. See our precautions for baby care in winter below.
Dont’s Of Baby Winter Care
Here are some of the things you should avoid while taking care of your baby in winter.
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Overheating: If they are warm to the touch, looking red fuzzy and resist sleeping, they are likely feeling too hot. Move them to a cooler area and dress them only as needed. Keep a check on room temperature and also avoid outdoors in peak sun. These small steps can make big difference in a baby’s first winter.
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Heavy Blankets: Too many blankets or heavy blankets can lead to overheating. If you are using blankets, consider lightweight blankets. You can layer them for more warmth if needed. Our bamboo muslin blankets are generously sized and have 4 layers for extra warmth, ideal for newborn baby winter wear.
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Don't Cover The Stroller: You may feel that covering your stroller will protect the baby from the sun. But it traps heat and increases the temperature. Use a stroller with a sun canopy or shade cover to keep air circulation.
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Avoid Dry Skin : Avoiding dry skin is critical for newborn baby care in winter. Cold and dry air can cause dry skin in babies. Shorten their bath time and load up on moisture. Keep them well hydrated. Consider adding a humidifier as moisture in air can help reduce dryness.
Explore Cocoon Care for the collection of winter clothes and all your winter essentials for newborn babies from bamboo clothes, sleeping items, feeding items, bathing items, and more. Take good care of your baby in winter with Cocoon Care.
FAQs On Baby Winter Care Tips
Q. How can I keep my baby warm at night in winter?
A: There are different ways on how to keep a baby warm in the winter season. Go with cotton night suits and beddings, have the right fabric of swaddle for winter, and be cautious of your little one’s temperature cues. Also, avoid loose blankets and head warmers while they’re sleeping.
Q. What to do to keep my baby warm in the winter months?
A: Invest in a high-quality swaddle blanket that is safe for your baby and perfect for the winter season. There are other ways on how to keep a newborn baby warm like checking the temperature of the room, layering up, putting on some socks for them, etc.
Q. How can I protect my baby from cold air?
A: Since babies tend to lose their body heat from their head and face, it is a good winter season baby care if you get them some hats and beanies as well as clothes to keep them warm without overheating them.
Q. How to take care of a newborn baby in winter?
A: If it is your baby’s first winter , you are likely to be clueless here. This guide on how to take care of a newborn in winter covers all the essential care tips you are looking for. Feel free to reach us if you have any specific questions.
Q. How to protect baby face in winter?
A: If your baby is having dry or cracked skin on face, apply a thin layer of moisturising lotion several times a day as a part of your winter care for babies routine . Limit bath frequency and moisturise after each bath.
Q. Can a baby wear a cap while sleeping in winter?
A: Babies can wear cps while sleeping , but it should be lightweight and snug fitting. Avoid heavy and loose caps as they may fall off and cover their face. A well planned newborn baby winter clothes list should include lightweight fitting caps made of materials like bamboo muslin. Dress them in warm and breathable newborn baby winter wear.
