One of the most common challenges all mothers face is keeping their babies cozy and warm during winter days. During the winter, especially when it's freezing outside, it becomes really difficult for children to regulate their body temperature, making them more prone to coughs, colds, and flu.
Thus, it is very important for you to know how you can help your baby maintain a constant body temperature during the winter, especially at night. Read on to find out what you can do to keep your babies alert and comfortable on those cold winter nights.
Dress your child correctly.
In winter, the best way to keep your little one warm while sleeping is to dress them in easy on-and-off layers. Instead of overloading your baby with heavy or woolly clothes, dress him in a few thin layers of warm clothes that you can easily remove during diaper changes. A good rule of thumb is to dress your baby in one layer more than.
Correct the room temperature.
To ensure that your newborn is neither too hot nor too cold, try to keep his room at a comfortable temperature between 18 and 20 degrees Celsius. Use a room thermometer to check whether your child's room is at a safe, comfortable temperature. Ideally, room temperature should feel comfortable for a lightly clothed adult.
Wrap or use a sleeping bag.
Sometimes, when the weather is very cold, dressing your child in an onesie is not enough to keep him warm. To give your baby a restful sleep during those freezing nights, you need to wrap him in a thick blanket. If your toddler takes off the blanket a lot, you can put him in a sleeping bag (also known as a wearable blanket) for sleeping.
Keep the air away from the child.
The position of your baby's crib in the room also affects how comfortable he will feel during sleep. Place the crib or bassinet several feet away from vents, windows, fans, and outside walls. Also, close any windows and doors to prevent cold air from entering the room.
Use a firm mattress.
To keep your baby's crib warm from underneath, use a firm baby mattress covered with a well-fitting waterproof mattress protector sheet. Mattresses made of too soft materials not only put your little one at risk of suffocation, but also increase the chances of him getting sick due to the cold air entering the mattress. So it is better to avoid them.
Cover your baby's head and hands:
Since babies lose a lot of heat through their heads and hands, it becomes really important to grab a soft baby hat and a lightweight scarf to provide your baby with an extra layer of warmth. If your child is a thumbsucker by nature, you can prepare an extra pair of napkins. Additionally, you can keep her feet toasty by using a pair of socks.
Pre-warm the crib before putting your baby down.
If you find that the house is too cold, you can consider pre-heating the crib to create a warm and cozy place for your baby to sleep. To achieve this goal, you need to place a hot water bottle or heating pad on the crib sheet for at least 30 minutes before your little one goes to sleep in the crib. The most important thing is to remove it before putting your baby to bed to avoid overheating or burns.
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