Baby’s First Winter: Keeping Your Little One Warm and Healthy

Baby’s First Winter

Your baby is finally here! After 9 months of waiting and preparing, your little one is here for all of the snuggles and feedings and naps and….germs.

Navigating your baby’s first winter can be scary. Cold and flu season is a lot to manage on top of everyday baby care. With these tips, you’ll be able to navigate baby’s first winter with confidence and peace of mind.

Keep reading for Moms on Call’s best ways to keep your baby warm and healthy in their first winter.

Tips to Keep Baby Warm

Keeping your baby warm in cold weather doesn't have to be complicated. Here are Moms on Call’s favorite tips to keep baby warm and snuggly this wintertime.

Dress them for the temperature you will be in

If you are going for an outdoor walk, dress baby to stay warm in the colder air. If you are going to be indoors, dress them for the indoor temperature with an extra blanket for the carseat. Think about the temperature that you will be in, rather than what you are in right now, while getting your baby dressed.

Layer up

A good rule of thumb is to dress your baby in one more layer than you are wearing. So if you are wearing a t-shirt and a sweater, put baby in a onesie, shirt and add a light jacket on top. You can always remove layers as the temperature increases throughout the day!

Look at the wind chill

If you are going to be outside with your baby, look at the wind chill and not just the temperature. Wind can be a major factor and since babies aren’t able to regulate their temperature as well as adults, be sure to factor wind in too.

No jackets in carseats

We know those puffy jackets are adorable but not for the carseat. Thick jackets don’t let carseats do their job as well because you can’t get the straps nice and tight around baby’s body. So bring the jacket along but keep baby in regular clothes for the ride.

Moisturize!

Cooler temperatures means less humidity too. If your baby shows any signs of dry skin, use a gentle moisturizer designed for infants. We’ve linked our favorite dry skin items for baby here.  It’s best to apply this right after bathtime so the lotion can soak into the skin. Be sure to check cheeks, elbows and knees for dry skin so you can stay on top of it.

Keep the indoors temperature consistent

Yearround, we recommend keeping your home between 68-72 degrees. This consistent temperature helps your baby develop those great sleeping habits.

Checking smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors

Winter months are an excellent time to make sure that your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly. Make sure that you have one of each in the baby's room so you'll know right away if there are any issues.

Tips to Keep Baby Healthy

While most bigger kids can manage typical childhood colds and flu viruses, you’ll want to take extra precautions during your baby’s first winter. This is the year to opt for a quiet and calm holiday season rather than joining every family gathering. Here are some helpful tips to keeping your baby healthy during their first cold and flu season.

Wash hands

The simplest tips are often the best. Thorough hand washing is still one of the best ways to keep your family healthy. If you have older kids, make washing hands part of their routine as soon as they get home from preschool or daycare. Sid the Science Kid has a great episode on germs if your older kids need a reminder why this is important!

For visiting friends and family, kindly ask them to wash their hands before they hold the baby. “Welcome! We’re so glad you’re here. The sink is right here so you can wash your hands with soap and water before touching baby.”

Avoid kissing on the mouth

We know that friends and family want to love on your baby, but it’s best if we avoid kissing their face in the first cold and flu season. If you have a particularly affectionate relative, go ahead and share this early with a simple phrase like “We’re so excited for you to meet baby! Since viruses can be hard on little ones, we’re asking loved ones to avoid kissing their face. I’m sure the baby would love some snuggles or kisses on their feet!”

Avoid friends/relatives that have cold/flu symptoms when possible

Politely decline any events if you hear that sick family or friends will be there. We know it can be hard to miss out on family gatherings and traditions, but for this first winter it is wise to put baby's health first. Many times ‘allergies’ can actually be a cold or virus that might be hard for your little one to fight at their young age.

We know that it’s impossible to know every guest’s health. But if you notice someone is visibly sick, don’t feel bad about leaving early or moving to another room. You are the best parent for your child - do what you feel is right to keep them safe and healthy.

Avoid large crowds in winter time for this first season

It is wise to avoid big events with large crowds during baby’s first winter. These gatherings bring a large risk of exposure to colds, flu or RSV which can be dangerous for infants. You and your partner can get creative with new holiday traditions like outdoor gatherings, smaller get togethers or embracing some quiet, slow holiday traditions for this year. And you can happily join these events with a one-year old next season!

Get moving indoors  

There’s many ways to stay active and play with your baby indoors during the winter months. Look up a few baby yoga videos on YouTube, break out a new sensory mat or have kitchen dance parties with your baby. Getting creative can help you all avoid cabin fever this season. This article on The Bump  has some great ideas for baby yoga stretches that will get you all moving!

Managing baby’s first cold

If your little one does show signs of a cold, don’t panic. Here’s our guide for managing baby's first cold. If you are concerned, call your pediatrician’s 24/7 line or bring them in to be seen by a medical professional. And if your baby is less than three months old, seek medical advice for a fever of 100.4 F or more.

Prioritizing sleep

If your baby does get a cold, sleep is one of the main ways they will get better. Follow our 10 guidelines for prioritizing sleep when baby is sick to help them get well and then get back on those healthy sleep habits.

Enjoy Baby’s First Winter!

Keep these tips in mind as you enjoy your infant for the first holiday season. Before you know it, you’ll be back to decorating cookies, making snow angels and starting new wintertime traditions as a family!