Baby it’s Cold Outside! A guide to your little one’s first winter

When you have a new baby, it’s hard enough to get out of the house: there’s the bag, stroller, burp cloth, baby sling, change of clothes, diapers, wipes, the list just goes on forever.  If you then add icy conditions, snow, and freezing wind outside, it can seem like mission impossible. But don’t let winter get in your way of enjoying life with your baby. There are ways of having outings, despite a drop in temperatures.

The key to keeping baby warm and dry is lots of light layers including socks.  The rule is usually one more layer for baby than for you. Depending on the temperature, you may also need mittens and a hat.

If there’s any chance of exposure to the sun, baby must be covered.  Infants are very susceptible to burns and this increases their risk of skin cancer later in life.  You shouldn’t use sunblock on babies under six months of age, so they need to be kept out of direct sunlight when the UV is high (which is usually between 10am and 2pm). Always have a hat and sunglasses in your nappy bag, and make use of umbrellas, shade trees, and stroller shades.

No matter the weather, you need to have a change of clothes ready for your baby.  But this is even more important in winter. Wet clothes can lead to hypothermia, so always change your baby’s diaper frequently (especially if it’s cloth), and switch clothes if there’s any leakage, lots of spit-up, or you’ve been caught in the rain.

If you’re heading out in the car, you need to ensure you follow the winter rules for car seats. It’s  important you take off any bulking clothing like coats or snowsuits. In a crash, the padding flattens out and this creates space between the straps and your child.  Your baby can then slip through the harness and be thrown from their seat.  

Instead, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends light layers. If your baby really needs a jacket or blanket, this should be placed over the straps once she is buckled, and then removed once the car heats up. 

If possible, it’s also a good idea to keep your car seat in the house where it’s warm and install it in the car just before you leave.

For more information on keeping baby safe in winter, check out this link!