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Keeping Babies Warm In Winter
By Janis Stone
Each generation has to learn how to dress their new babies for
winter weather. Today’s grandma may be in another state
or country and difficult to reach for advice. So, here are some
tips about dressing babies.
In winter, babies need about
the same number of layers as adults for comfort and protection,
indoors or out. A newborn’s ability to regulate body temperature
is not well developed, so you need to pay special attention to
how they are dressed.
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A baby that is too cold may fuss,
but may not complain if too warm. Mottled looking skin or pale
cheeks may be a sign a baby is too cold. If the neck feels damp
from sweat or cheeks are especially rosy, the baby may be overdressed.
Use layers of clothes
Diapers and a cotton knit undershirt
are important as the first layer of clothing and should be kept
dry with frequent changes. Knit cotton undershirts can be pullover
or wrap style with ties. |
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For tiny babies, cotton jersey
knit gowns that tie at the bottom keep feet warm and are convenient
for changing diapers. As baby grows, soft one-piece knit sleepers
with feet and a gripper or zip opening from neck to toes make
baby easy to handle. These do not gap open at the waist as can
happen with two-piece outfits. Some sleepers have cuffs that
fold over to keep hands warm, but as babies find their mouths
with their fists, be sure the sleeve cuffs are kept dry. Evaporating
moisture in wet clothes tends to cool the hands and body.
The first week or two, your baby
may feel more secure if wrapped snugly in a flannel receiving
blanket.
Keep blankets away from the infant’s face, and place babies
on their backs for sleeping at night to reduce the risk of smothering.
Cloth diapers need to be changed more often than disposables.
Change them whenever you find them wet, to reduce the chance
of diaper rash. Disposable diapers may be required by day care
providers and are more convenient for travel.
When babies are older, they squirm and turn a lot during nap
time. Blanket weight fleece sleepers are a good choice for infants
when sleeping. When a child starts walking, be sure that sleepers
have non-skid soles on the bottom of the feet.
Taking baby outdoors
If you take a baby outdoors in
winter, a knit or fleece cap, sweater,and blankets or a snowsuit
are needed over their indoor clothes. Wrap small babies in a
soft cotton flannel “receiving” blanket. Wrap heavier
fleece or quilted blankets over the first one for added warmth
and protection. When you dress a baby for travel in a car, a
snowsuit or car seat-friendly bunting with a button hole for
the seat-belt is needed to fasten the baby in the car seat.
A snowsuit should have feet and
hand covers. A snowsuit should have a wind and water repellent
outer layer and an inner layer of fiber-fill, flannel, or fleece
that holds still air to insulate. A warm blanket may be neededover
these suits, if it is very cold outdoors.
Remember to protect the baby’s
face from wind and sun-burn. Usually, you can drape one of the
blankets loosely across the face during trips between the house
and car. Be sure to uncover the child’s face afterward.
Be careful that the blankets used to wrap the baby are not so
slick that the baby slips and falls out of your arms.
If you are indoors, such as at
a mall for an extended period of time, take the baby out ofthe
snowsuit or from under the covers, to prevent overheating and
perspiration that can dampen clothes. Clothes that are damp will
not be warm when you return outdoors again.
Choose and manage your baby’s
clothing carefully to keep your baby safe and warm in winter.
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