What to Use to Cover Your Baby's Face From Winter Cold
It's important to keep your baby warm in winter, but it also can be dangerous if done improperly. Just as it can be unsafe to put an infant to sleep on his back, due to the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), overheating your baby and covering his airways can be equally dangerous. Keep your little one safe and protected from Mother Nature with a few cold weather clothing tips.
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Head for Cover
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According to the District of Columbia's Department of Health, a baby's large head-to-body ratio can make it especially susceptible to losing heat up top. Keep your baby's body heat from escaping by making sure he wears a snug, winter hat. Make sure to cover your little one's sensitive ears, fingers and toes, and keep track of those booties and gloves, which often have a way of getting kicked, tossed or lost.
Layers
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Layer your baby's clothing to keep him warm without overheating. A rule of thumb is to dress your baby in the same amount of clothing you're wearing, with one extra layer. Layer blankets over clothes and remove outer layers when inside a building or the car. Overheating can be just as dangerous as the cold weather you're protecting him from.
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Buntings
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Buntings are good for a baby who doesn't mind having his feet constricted. These wearable sacks are like portable sleeping bags that cover baby from head to toe and are usually made from warm, soft fleece. The good thing about a bunting is that it covers a lot of your baby's face without constricting sight or breathing. With a bunting, you also don't have to worry about cords or strings getting tangled and posing a strangulation danger to baby. The downside is, if you have a baby who likes to kick and move, this isn't going to make him happy, no matter how cozy it looks.
Insulation
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Keep your baby warm and dry with an insulated, water-resistant coat, hood, shoe-socks and mittens in fleece flannel or fiberfill. Baby snowsuits often have all of these things rolled into one, with snaps to help them stay put. Wet baby body parts that are exposed to freezing cold temperatures are susceptible to frostbite.
Carriages
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Sometimes you need to take your baby out in the elements. Like the postman, neither wind, nor rain, nor sleet, nor snow should keep a newborn from an important pediatrician appointment. Therefore, it's important to have a carriage designed to accommodate bad weather. Many carriages come with insulated, padded linings and attached blankets with zippers that can be sealed to prevent moisture from getting into the carriage. Some strollers and prams even have rain guards to repel water from your baby's face and body.
Warnings
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Avoid scarves or mufflers that can choke your baby if they get tangled. Don't put blankets over your infant's head either. Newborns don't have the coordination and mobility to remove a blanket if it interferes with breathing. Don't cover your baby's mouth; little noses get stuffed easily and if your little one can't breathe through his mouth, he could get in distress quickly.
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References
Resources
- "What to Expect the First Year"; Heidi Murkoff, et al.; 2003
- Survival Topics; How Body Heat Is Lost; Ron Fontaine; July 2010
- Photo Credit Thinkstock/Comstock/Getty Images
