Ways to Prepare Your Baby for First Winter Season?

As the temperature dips, the first worry a new mum has is –

• How to keep my newborn warm and healthy during the winter season? 
• How do I protect her from the chill;
• How many clothes are good enough and how many clothes are too many?
• & more worries

But if it is your baby’s first winter, chances are you’re extremely anxious about keeping him well protected from the bitter cold. If you find yourself obsessing over it, relax. With the proper care, you can make sure the entire family enjoys your little one’s first winter.

Here our pro-parent Ridhi Doomra shares some handy tips to prepare your newborn for this winter season. However, she insists that the information she has shared, is not a “one size fits all” – these are some basic guidelines, which when followed will help keep your child happy and safe. Tweak them according to your individual needs. But here’s what all new mums must do is prepare beforehand.

How to Prepare Better For Your Baby’s First Winter?

Here are some handy tips to prepare your little champ for the first winter season. Read on to find out baby's winter check-list or how you can prepare your little champ for the winter. 

• Mother and Baby Diet: Your little one is probably breastfeeding, so his diet really doesn’t warrant the change. However, you, as a mother, need to be conscious of what you eat.
  • Avoid eating cold food and milk or water
  • Opt for food like soups and some homemade recipes made of ghee and besan, which will provide warmth to the baby as well
  • Make sure you eat plenty of seasonal veggies and fruits
• Layering the Baby: The rule is simple – your little one needs one layer more than you need.
  • Keep layers handy, especially when you need to go out for a doctor’s appointment or a social visit
  • You can easily take a layer off when you go indoors
  • Your baby’s body cannot regulate heat the way yours does, so he needs some extra warmth
  • Take care to not overdress your child when he’s sleeping to reduce the risk of SIDS
  • If the temperatures fall very low, add a thermal undershirt that fits snugly so that your baby is well protected
  • Keep mittens, socks and a good quality winter cap handy when you go outside
• Stay Up to Date with Vaccinations: Make sure your baby’s vaccinations are up to date. Consult the pediatrician and give your baby a seasonal flu shot. It helps to have the whole family vaccinated against influenza, too, since your baby’s close interactions are with the family. 

Check this: 0-18 months baby vaccination chart

• Bath and Skincare: Winter temperatures can be harsh for your little one’s delicate skin. Make sure you follow a good winter skincare regime.
  • Baths can be given every alternate day during the winter instead of every day
  • Oil massage before a bath helps blood circulation and keeps the skin soft
  • Make sure you use good quality, mild soaps and baby lotions made especially for newborns
  • Help him stay hydrated by breastfeeding on demand. Breastfeeding also boosts your little one’s immunity
• Home Made Recipes: Since your newborn is breastfed, you must maintain your body heat naturally.
  • When you have tulsi leaves and honey, the effect travels through your milk to your baby
  • Boil some basil leaves in water for some time and sip it regularly. It boosts immunity and provides warmth to your baby
  • Laddoos made of gond (an edible resin) and wheat are a popular winter snack among breastfeeding mothers

Check These: Homemade Food Recipes for 6-12 Months Babies

Avoid Overuses of Heating Appliances

Over usage of heating, appliances can be harmful to the baby. Read below...

• The carbon monoxide from these appliances affects your baby much faster than it would affect you
• Be sure you have a safe way to heat your home or a place to go
• You may keep all the doors and windows closed to keep the room warm and open them when you feel there is some sunlight
• Wrap your baby and then open the doors and windows so that there is some fresh air circulation as well
• If you’re using a heater, consider using a humidifier to avoid drying out the air

So, follow these tried-tested tips to keep your baby warm and healthy this winter. With proper care, you and your baby can stay safe. So bring out those winter clothes and set the table for tea. Have a cozy winter with your little one!

Have any new tips to add, something that worked for you and your baby during your first winter together? Please share them with us in the comments section.