Winter Weather Tips for Newborns
Baby it’s cold outside! (Well, sort of, sometimes. You know what weather in North Carolina is like.) So what does that mean for your newborn baby? Can you take them outside? How should you dress them inside? Are there other things parents of winter babies should know? Check out the blog today for all of our winter weather tips.
Taking Your Baby Outside
One common question we get from parents of new babies is whether or not it’s safe to take them outside when the temperatures are very cold or close to freezing. And the short answer to that is yes, you can absolutely bring your baby outside. Going outside for fresh air is always good for both parent and baby. For babies, getting outside during the day helps to regulate their circadian rhythms and can also help calm them when they’re fussy. And stepping beyond the four walls of home is definitely good for keeping the parents from going stir crazy.
But if the weather is freezing or below freezing, you want to be mindful to limit how long you are outside. A brief stroll around the block is fine. But playing in the snow with your newborn, not so much. Remember that babies this age have to work harder to regulate their core body temperature - if they get too cold, they will have a tough time getting warm again. So if there is winter precipitation falling from the sky, it’s probably a good idea to keep your newborn inside for the day.
How To Dress Your Baby
The keyword here is layers when it comes to taking your baby outside. Just like you wouldn’t head out into the cold in shorts and a t-shirt (unless of course my middle schooler is reading this and then please, put your coat on), your baby should also be bundled up. If you’re headed out for a brisk, winter walk, consider several layers to keep your baby comfortable. Start with a thin layer - leggings or onesie - followed by pants and a long-sleeve shirt or sleeper and then add a winter coat, hat, mittens, and some warm booties on top of regular socks. All these layers allow you to adjust if you feel like your baby is getting too hot.
If you are wearing your baby, remember that they will also stay warm from your own body heat, so you can adjust layers accordingly. And if they are in a stroller, just be sure that your baby’s face is always visible. If you add an extra blanket for warmth, you want to keep eyes on your baby to make sure it doesn’t cover their face.
Inside Temperatures
All that stuff you read about layers and hats and coats - that was for taking your baby outside. When indoors with your baby, things don’t really change that much. When you are inside with your newborn, the best practice is to dress them in one layer more than what you are comfortable in. So if you are wearing long sleeves and pants inside, they might just need a sweater or a heavier sleeper over a light onesie and leggings. No need to bundle them up in hats and winter coats when inside the house.
You want to be mindful not to overheat your baby. Remember how I mentioned above that they have trouble regulating their body temperature? Well, this applies to both hot and cold temperatures. So keep the thermostat between 68 and 72 degrees. At night, you want to be extra cautious not to let the nursery get too hot because overheated babies can be at a higher risk of SIDS.
Carseat Safety
One final important reminder for winter weather and babies has to do with carseat safety. Whenever your baby is going to be strapped into their carseat, do not put them in a heavy winter coat. That extra padding that comes with a heavy winter jacket will affect the carseat straps and ultimately make them too loose to be effective in the event of an accident. If you are just going outside on your way to the car, your baby will be fine without the winter coat. Bring it with you and put it on them when you get to your destination if you will be outside. You can always get the car started early in order to warm up a bit if you’re concerned about your baby being too cold. But this is the one time when those extra layers in the winter are not needed.