A baby’s first winter is all about fun, festivities and plenty of snuggling! To make the most of the season, parents should focus on keeping their little ones cozy. These tips will help you prepare your home and baby supplies for this coming winter. A few extra items and useful strategies will help keep your infant safe in cold weather. Beyond what clothes and bedding to buy there are also things to consider like what temperature to keep the baby's room, weatherproofing your home and even practicing winter car safety. So keep on reading for some important knowledge so you can enjoy this winter with your precious little one!
Buy Cozy Baby Clothes
Winter baby clothes are sure to make your baby look adorable. Soft and cuddly garments also help to regulate infant body temperature. Babies need extra layers to keep comfortable and stay warm in cooler weather. Clothing materials like jersey cotton, organic cotton and cotton rib feel plush on baby’s skin. These fabrics are also absorbent, stretch with baby’s movements and are easy to launder in the washing machine.
To build a baby outfit that is perfect for winter, start with a comfortable and dynamic first layer. A bodysuit with an expandable shoulder neckline and high-positioned bottom snaps will make it easy to change babies when they are wearing multiple garments. Since changes take less time, you will also help to keep your infant warmer. Add leggings, sweatpants or another cute style of bottoms for baby boys or baby girls. Finish the look with a hooded jacket, a tailored coat or a textured sweater.
Warm socks and baby shoes will complete your festive outfit. They will also help to protect your child’s feet from the elements. A cozy hat or cap keeps ears warm while preventing heat from escaping from your little one’s head. Find cute styles with animal ears or fun prints. If you are having a winter baby, consider asking for warm layers as part of your baby shower. You can also start shopping as soon as possible. Purchase short sleeve and long sleeve bodysuits in different sizes, as well as several bottoms and outer layers. Cuddly sleepwear like footed pajamas and long sleeve pajama sets are perfect for keeping your baby warm in chilly temperatures.
Invest in Warm Blankets
Every newborn needs blankets to stay warm while in the stroller or car seat or anywhere that might be chilly. In cribs it is recommended to place babies in a blanket garment for extra safety while they sleep unattended. Swaddles are also an excellent choice for keeping your new baby cozy. Fleece, flannel and Minky fabric make great blankets for snuggling and there are seasonal colors and holiday prints available to make a festive gift for the baby.
When buying swaddles and blankets, look for soft materials in colors that will match the nursery. Receiving blankets are a useful choice because they can be used for covering the baby or swaddling. Look for blankets sold in multipacks at the same places you buy your favorite baby girl and baby boy clothes. When you have multiple garments on hand, it is easy to keep your little one warm without having to do the laundry.
Make Sure To Give Baby Lots Of Immune System Boosting Mother's Milk
Exclusively breast feeding can be quite a challenge, but making that extra effort during the winter is the very best idea for your baby. While there are many kinds of breast pumps, an electric pump might be a great investment to help you pump and freeze, in order to have breast milk available at all times. Of course, sometimes life circumstances and exclusively breast feeding don't quite go hand in hand, so if you must buy baby formula, do go for organic formula which is the healthiest choice for your baby.
Instruction: For an electric pump, I use the Medela Swing Electric Breast Pump. This pump helped me to increase my milk supply when we’d supplemented Jonah with organic infant formula, Milk expressed with this pump can replace entire feeds and is great for expressing for younger, exclusively breastfed babies. This is a pump ideal for daily expressing.
Weatherproof Your Home
There are many reasons to weatherproof your home before winter. First, you will save on power bills during the baby’s first year. You will also help to avoid costly seasonal repairs that can take away from family time. Save money and keep the baby warm by preventing the cold from creeping into your home. An easy and affordable way to do this is to fix leaks or cracks around doors and windows.
Caulk and foam sealants help to keep out wind and cold air. You can also add door draft stoppers or block out the cold with cellular shades on your windows. Inspect basements and attics for insulation issues. A water heater blanket can help to quickly improve conditions in your home.
A programmable thermostat or home temperature zoning makes it easy to adjust the comfort level of a baby’s nursery. Contact an HVAC professional for information on the best way to heat your home. Creating a to-do list and budgeting your projects ahead of time can help to get your house ready for the baby so you can feel cozy without fuss and focus on what matters most.
Check the Nursery Temperature
According to WebMD, the ideal temperature for a baby’s room is between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. This is because this range is considered not too hot or too cold for adults or children. Now that you have weatherproofed your home, it will be easier to keep the nursery in this range.
If you have a thermostat in your infant’s room, check the temperature often. This is especially important in the first months of your child’s life when they are not able to adjust to changes in temperature like an older baby. Some programmable thermostats and zoned heating systems come with smartphone apps, so you can check the temperature with a few simple swipes.
If you do not have these features on your heating system, there are baby monitors that have an included temperature reader. Review the upper or bottom corner of the monitor screen to see how cool it is in the room. When you enter the nursery to feed or change your baby, be sure to check your little one’s skin for signs that they are too cool or too warm. Add or remove layers of clothing as necessary. In time, you will find the right combination of temperature adjustments and garments for your baby’s most comfortable sleep.
Practice Winter Car Safety
Your baby will need to visit the pediatrician several times in the first few months of their life. You may also take them in a car to attend seasonal celebrations or visit family. To minimize issues with a family vehicle, have your car and tires examined before the baby arrives. Make repairs well before your due date so your car is available in the event you go into labor.
Once you know your vehicle is in good condition, check that you have snow supplies in your trunk. Shovels, ice scrapers and brushes are just some of the tools you should keep for emergencies. Charge your smartphone before you leave the house and keep a spare charger with you in the glove compartment. You should also keep a bag of extra baby supplies, blankets and baby clothing.
At this time of the year, it is also important to practice seasonal car seat safety. According to Consumer Reports, winter coats should not be worn under a car seat harness because they can make it too loose. This could make the harness ineffective in the event of an accident. Prevent safety issues by placing a warm blanket or coat on top of your baby instead. Plush, fleece and Minky blankets are perfect for these instances. Thick and layered cotton and jersey cotton blankets are also comfortable and cozy enough for taking on car trips.
Enjoying Baby’s First Winter
When you prepare for your baby’s first winter ahead of time, you will be ready to relax and enjoy the season when it arrives. You will also have the confidence that you are keeping your baby as safe and cozy as possible. Thankfully, preparing for wintertime can be fun for those who are expecting an infant.
Start by shopping for cute baby boy or baby girl clothes to get ready for cozy days and adorable pictures. You can also have some fun by adding items to your baby shower list. Finding warm blankets and improving the nursery will help you to get ready for the big day. It is also sure to make you feel more festive for the upcoming holiday season.
