Best Winter Preparations for Babies
Brrr.
It's getting cold out in Southern California. It's time to check if the heaters are working properly. Start to close the windows before going to bed.
You get worried about your baby catching a cold. You start to be hesitant about taking your kid out for a walk before the sun heats up. At the same time, you are worried your kid might not be getting enough activities.
Let's go through a checklist to see if you and your baby are ready for the winter.
Dressed Warm Enough?
It's definitely worth an investment to get warm, durable clothes for the winter. It's a good idea to dress your child in layers. Babies are sensitive to temperatures. You want to be able to make it warmer or cooler by bits.
Sometimes, it's hard to tell whether your baby is hot or cold. If he is hot, his cheeks might flush. Check the back of his neck to see if he is sweating. (Make sure your hands aren't too cold for him!)
If he's too cold, he will probably start to cry. If you feel cold, your child is definitely cold. Whatever you are comfortable with plus one more layer would be good for babies.
- Long sleeve body suit (footed one piece is nice), socks, mittens for hands, a hat, and a scarf would do the trick. The head and neck are where most heat escapes. Keep those places warm. Pick a unique and bright color to easily locate your child wrapped up in clothing.
- A lot of brands like Columbia, North Face, or Patagonia, have good materials that are thinner, but do a great job keeping warmth.
- If you are going to use a car seat, you need to dress your child in thinner clothes under the seat belts and put the coats or blankets over the seat belts for safety issues. If fluffy clothes are in the way of seat belts, they can't hold the baby tight enough in case of an accident.
- If your child walks, consider buying water-resistant clothing and boots for rainy or snowy days. You don't want your child to have wet, cold feet.
Winter Mod the Gears
- Baby Carrier: If you have a baby carrier like Ergobaby, you might want to consider getting the All Weather cover from the brand. Ergobaby Carrier Cover You can also purchase a universal one like this from Amazon.
- Car Seat: Since safety is a big concern, but you still want to keep your baby warm during a car ride, consider this. It's a universal car seat cover that looks warm enough. Nuna offers a footmuff for their pipa car seats.
- Stroller Cover: Similar to the car seat covers, there are stroller covers. Make sure to check compatibility with your stroller before purchasing one.
Winter Wonderland Fun
Now that we figured out what to wear, it's time for the outdoor adventures. Whether they are in a baby carrier, stroller, or on their feet, a bit of outdoor activities are great for the children's development. Exposure to new things is the greatest way to learn!
- Short Stroll around the house: It's always good to know the way around to be safe. When it snows, the sidewalk might be slippery and many other unexpected things could happen. It's good to see the familiar neighborhood in a different scenery too.
- On a snowy day, show your baby the falling snow. Let him touch the snowflake and feel it melt. Let him walk on the snow to feel the crisp under his feet. If it snows enough, build a snowman. Take a picture of your baby with the snowman. It will be one of the cherished memories in your family album.
- If your child grows old enough, go on a ski trip. Snow sledding is fun and doesn't require much skill. If your city has an outdoor ice rink, go out for skating.
Conclusion
No matter what the weather is like, let your children have fun with you. Let them know that you are always there for them. Winter could be a dangerous season: snow, longer nights, or low temperatures. But it's up to the family to turn it upside down and have fun with it. Use safety caution and let your kids dress warm. There are so many learning opportunities out there in the Winter Wonderland!