After the hot humid months, winter brings some much-needed respite from the heat. But it also brings its own challenges like seasonal colds or trying to keep warm. Read on to find out how best to care for your baby during the winter, and
what to do to protect her from seasonal illnesses.
Should I stop massaging my baby in winter?
Should I stop massaging my baby in winter?
If you keep your room warm, massaging your baby can be as enjoyable and beneficial for you and your baby in the winters as it is in the summer.
Massaging your baby can improve her circulation and some believe that it can even help build her immunity. But there is little evidence for this.
Warm up your hands well before you begin so your baby doesn’t feel cold from your touch. You can also warm up the oil you use for the message. Make sure it is not too hot by touching it with your elbow or the inside of your wrist. The oil should be a comfortable temperature, not hot. Oil which is too hot can cause your baby to get burnt.
What massage oil should I use for my baby in winter?
Many mothers change massage oil to suit the weather, usually moving from coconut oil, which is believed to be cooling, to mustard oil, which is believed to be warming. Research shows that mustard oil can damage the protective layer of the skin making it more prone to dryness and irritation.
Mustard oil has been used for generations in India with few documented ill effects, perhaps because it is usually washed off straight away with a bath. But if your baby has sensitive or dry skin, eczema or any other form of rash, it is best not to use mustard oil on her skin. Instead, you could try an oil that is thought to be gentler on sensitive skin, such as unperfumed baby (mineral) oil or coconut oil.
If you do use mustard oil, ensure you follow the massage up with a bath and wash the oil off well. If you usually massage your baby after her bath, you can opt for a baby lotion or a medical moisturiser recommended by your doctor. Unperfumed products are thought to be best for dry or sensitive skin.
How can I keep my baby warm at bathtime during winter?
Before you begin your baby's bath, ensure the room is warm. You can use any kind of heater to bring the room to a comfortable temperature. Then prepare everything you will need for your baby's bath before your start. Keep your baby's baths short, no more than between five and 10 minutes.
Use warm water that feels comfortable, not hot, to your skin when you insert your elbow or the inside of your wrist. If you have a bath thermometer, the ideal temperature is thought to be about 38 degrees C, which is close to body temperature. Use a small amount of a mild liquid baby cleanser if you wish, or you can use plain water.
Newborns don’t get dirty much as they can't move around yet. So if you only want to bathe your newborn a few times a week, that’s enough to keep her clean. Just ensure that you regularly clean her nappy area with unperfumed baby wipes. Baby poo is fattier than adults’ so just water is not enough to keep it clean and remove the deposits on your baby’s skin.
Also regularly clean the folds of your baby’s skin in her neck area. Spit up milk can collect there. You can use a wet washcloth or unscented baby wipes to wipe her neck area clean.
Once your baby starts rolling over, sitting, crawling and eating solid foods, she is likely to get dirtier and need more regular baths. If you prefer not to get your baby wet all over on very cold days, you can give her a sponge bath. Clean each area and dry it before moving to the next area of her body to keep her warm.
What kinds of baby clothes are best suited for winter?
The shops and online shopping sites offer such variety of clothing that it can get confusing to know what you really need for your baby. If the weather is cold, it is best to dress your baby in layers. This way, you can add or remove a layer as needed. The rule of thumb is to have one layer more than what you are wearing for your baby.
You can use long sleeved inners or onesies under her long sleeved baby suit. You can top this off with a woollen cardigan or sweater made from soft but warm material such as flannel or fleece. Remember that your baby's skin is more sensitive than yours. If you notice your baby's skin get red or irritated where the wool touches it, use a softer fabric to keep her warm. Always have a layer of cotton or other such soft and breathable material directly on your baby's skin. Some experts advise against using wool if your baby has eczema as it could aggravate the condition.
Mittens, a hat and booties will keep your baby's hands, head and feet warm. Again, if your baby has dry skin or a rash, use only soft fabric like fleece, cotton or flannel on her skin.
The best way to keep your newborn warm at night is to swaddle her with a warm blanket. You can swaddle her till she is two months old. Use a blanket made of thick cotton, flannel or fleece to swaddle her.
Even in cold weather, swaddling can increase the chance your baby will overheat, as newborns are not very good at regulating their body temperature.
If your baby seems cold, hold her near you so that your body warmth can help her regulate her own.
Once your baby is two months or older, you should stop swaddling her because she could roll over and get stuck on her front making it difficult for her to breathe. Cover her with a blanket instead.
If you are using a cot, the best way to keep her warm is to place your baby in her cot with her feet touching the feet of the cot. This way she cannot wriggle down any further. Then tuck her blanket under the cot mattress on all three sides keeping the top of the blanket at her chest level with her arms out of the blanket. Keep her face and head uncovered, so she can breathe easily and doesn't overheat.
You can also find a warm baby sleeping bag of your baby's size that fits snugly around her. This is a good option if your baby tends to wriggle a lot in her sleep.
In your desire to keep your baby warm, be careful not to overdress her. Your baby can easily sweat and lose fluids from sitting in a stuffy, sweltering room or because she’s wearing too many layers. Overheating can lead to dehydration. So watch for signs that your baby is getting too hot. These signs include:
- sweating
- damp hair
- flushed cheeks
- heat rash
- rapid breathing
How can I protect my baby from seasonal illnesses in winter?
You will not be able to protect your baby from every virus or bug that is doing the rounds. But there are some things you can do to minimise the chances of your baby picking up an infection:
Boost your baby's immunity by breastfeeding her. Your baby is likely to develop fewer infections, and recover more quickly from illnesses, in the first year of her life, if you breastfeed exclusively for the first six months. As well as the antibodies that are already in your breastmilk, your body will make new antibodies as soon as you are exposed to an infection. So even if your baby catches a cold, as soon as you're exposed to the cold virus from her, your immune system gets to work. The antibodies your body makes then transfer to your milk, ready for your baby to receive as soon as she next has a breastfeed.
Frequently wash your hands with soap and ensure anyone who holds or cares for your baby does so as well. This is the simplest and most effective way of preventing the spread of cold and flu germs. Also make sure you wash your hands with soap before and after changing your baby’s nappy, for example.
As most winter diseases are spread through coughs, sneezes and direct contact, keep your baby away from sick people and avoid going to crowded places.
Ensure your baby's vaccinations are up to date to protect her from some serious diseases. Your paediatrician might prescribe the seasonal flu vaccine that will protect your baby from two or three of the most common strains of the flu virus in circulation that year.
If you or your husband smokes, give it up, and don’t take your baby to areas where people are smoking. Babies who live with smokers have more coughs, colds and other viral infections than babies who aren't exposed to smoke.
When should I go to the doctor if my baby gets sick?
Though the common cold, as distressing as it can be, will probably not send you running to the doctor, there are signs to look out for that should raise a red flag and prompt you to seek medical help. These include:
If your baby is pulling on her ear and cries as if in pain for no apparent reason. These could be signs of an ear infection.
If your baby is wheezing or has trouble breathing. These could be a sign of a respiratory problem that could be based on an allergy or viral or bacterial infection.
Your baby is younger than three months and has a fever of 100.4 degrees F or more, or is younger than six months with a temperature of 102.2 degrees F or more.
Source - Babycenter
Source - Babycenter
