5 Tips to Take Care of Your Baby and Toddler in Winter – Many people love the winter season, and there is no doubt about that. But, it is also true that intense cold temperatures can be quite challenging. That is why most of us would stay inside and enjoy the warmth that our beds and comforters bring. While this kind of dynamic is quite ideal for some, the case is quite different for parents who have infants and toddlers. The reason being is that babies have much more sensitive skin, which makes them much more delicate, especially on extreme weather conditions.
If you are a new parent and you are not yet familiar with the proper and right ways to take good care of your baby during the winter season, you’ve come to the right place. This article will help you understand why parents must take extra good care of their babies, especially infants and toddlers, in cold weather conditions. Also, this will include some essential tips on how to do it effectively.
Importance of Taking Care of Babies In Winter
As mentioned, the skin of babies and toddlers is quite different from adults. So, while you can stand the freezing temperature, and even enjoy it at times, young children, especially babies, would not.
Aside from their sensitive and delicate skin, you need to note that they are still in the process of developing their systems. Accordingly, they are very susceptible to various kinds of diseases and illnesses. Viruses and microbes thrive during the winter season, which is why flu and other types of common infections are very normal during the cold months.
As a parent, you certainly don’t want your babies to get infected and suffer from various ailments. So, it is not rocket science at all as to why there is a need for parents to take extra good care of young kids in this period of the year.
Common Diseases Of Babies and Infants During Winter
The most common disease of all that most babies and toddlers obtain during the winter season; even adults are flu. As it appears, it is the time of the year when the virus that causes this quickly affects every individual. And so much more to those who have low immunity.
Keep in mind the babies and toddlers are still developing well their immune systems. So, they are very much prone to having flu and other kinds of diseases, especially throughout the extreme cold weather season.
But, aside from flu, here are some of the most common diseases that babies and toddlers get as well during the said season:
- Bronchitis
- Croup
- Rhinovirus
- Various respiratory conditions caused by a sensitive virus
- Colds and cough
Symptoms and Warning Signs
Winter infections caused by prevalent viruses and bacteria throughout the season are said to be easily spotted. Thankfully, though, adults, especially parents of the infected baby or toddler, can effectively notice the early symptoms and warning signs.
Some of these include:
- Severe cough
- Vomiting
- Gasps and Small Breaths (Troubles in Breathing)
- Wheezing Sounds (During bedtime)
- Abrupt weight loss
- Chest pains
- Fever
- Runny nose
- Headache
- Energy Gap
If you notice the above symptoms, it may indicate that an infection has already occurred in his/her system. So, it is a must to be very keen and mindful so that proper actions can be executed for faster and effective treatments.
5 Tips On How To Take Care of Your Baby In Winter
There are a lot of things that you can do to keep your baby safe and secure from the horrors of the winter season. But, if you are looking for more specific ways, here are some excellent tips that you may want to apply:
1. Choose Skin Sensitive Soap
Babies and toddlers have very delicate and sensitive skin. Even so, this will still protect them from extreme cold weather conditions. But, you have to make sure that the skin won’t get dry throughout the season as this will make them much more prone to various ailments. Also, having dry skin causes real inconvenience and discomfort for both parents and babies.
One of the best ways to avoid this is to choose skin-sensitive soaps. It should be applied in both bath soaps and laundry soaps. Opt for the ones that are fragrance-free and soap-free as these are the factors that dramatically dry the skin.
2. Use Moisturizer
Your baby’s skin is soft and supple by nature. But while it could stay in this state when soaps have been regarded throughout the winter season, you can further protect your baby’s skin from drying out by applying moisturizers.
Keep in mind, though, that your little one’s suitable moisturizers are not the same as the one you are using for your skincare regimen. You must choose the products that are designed for babies and toddlers as they offer fewer chemicals and harsh ingredients, given that their skin is very delicate.
3. Keep Baths Short and Sweet
Baths for babies can be fun. However, this might not be the case all the time, especially during the cold weather season. Although the presence of bath heater and hot water is dramatically helpful, parents must utilize them properly.
When bathing babies and toddlers in winter, bath times must be kept in a short period only. As much as possible, do not bathe babies more than three times a week.
If your baby is not that messy, then you may skip the bathing session. But, if it is the other way around, ensure that the bath times should be sweet and short.
4. Avoid Product Indulgence
As parents, especially the new ones, it is very common to get attracted to various baby products on the market quickly. It can be quite evident in winter for the preparations to keep your baby safe, warm, and secure.
Despite all the good intentions, it is much more appropriate for parents to stay away from indulging your babies from different kinds of products.
5. Opt for Non-Constricting Clothes
When it is cold, many parents tend to dress babies and toddlers with thick, warmers, and clothing pieces. There is nothing wrong with doing this as the intention is to keep the youngling warm and secure from freezing. However, too much and excessive thick clothing pieces might cause irritation and inconvenience to the babies. It might also restrict them from moving, which is not great for young ones during their bedtime.
As recommended, babies and toddlers should wear comfortable clothes instead of the thick warmers that may cause discomfort. To add more warmth and comfort, use socks and gloves instead.
The cold weather season may be fun and exciting. But, keep in mind that babies and toddlers are still developing their bodies to further cope up with extreme temperatures. So, proper care is a must throughout the winter season. And these points are beneficial for parents, especially for those who are new in this line.
Author bio:
Jessica Ann has written many blogs across the spectrum but specializes mainly in weight loss and dieting. With several years in the field, Jessica has been helping people get healthy and is dedicated to providing information for those who need it.
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