Tips for keeping Winter newborns warm & safe

Snuggled up cozy and warm in a merino & cotton Snuggle Pod

Bringing your new baby home in the cold winter months can seem a little daunting - after all, baby can't tell you whether he or she is too hot or too cold. Special care needs to be taken to ensure that your baby is healthy and comfortable during the winter months.

DOES MY BABY NEED A HEATER?
Newborns are not able to regulate their own body temperature as effectively as older children and adults, so they are particularly affected by dramatic fluctuations in temperature. Where possible, keep your baby in an environment where the temperature is fairly stable, this is more important than the actual temperature itself. The optimum temperature for the nursery is between 16-20 degrees Celsius. If you do choose to use a heater in baby's bedroom, ensure that you also have a thermometer to monitor the room temperature so it doesn't get too warm, or use a heater with a thermostat.

HOW MANY LAYERS DOES MY BABY NEED?
The general rule of thumb when it comes to dressing newborns is that they need one layer more than you are wearing yourself. If you are swaddling your baby, count the swaddle or wrap as one layer of clothing. The most effective way to check whether your baby is warm enough is to feel the back of his or her neck, or across his or her back underneath their clothing. It is normal for baby's hands and feet to be cooler than the rest of his or her body, so they are not an accurate way to check his or her temperature.

​WHAT TO WEAR WHEN GOING OUTSIDE?
​When taking your baby out, he or she will need a hat and mittens. Merino wool or other natural fibers are best. Socks and warm booties are also a must as well as a warm and windproof jacket and pants. When your baby is lying in the pram make sure to add extra blankets and check regularly to see if she is still warm and snug, it is easy for little ones to get cold specially when they are lying still (unlike us who get warm while pushing the pram!). 

WHY ARE NATURAL FIBRES SO IMPORTANT?
When choosing your baby's clothing and bedding, it is best to choose natural fibres such as cotton and merino, as these fibres allow your baby's skin to breathe. Merino is a particularly good winter choice as it gently wicks moisture away from your baby's skin so that if he or she is sweating, or has a nappy leak, the clothing is not cold and damp against his or her skin. Artificial fibres such as polar fleece don't breathe, and can cause your baby to overheat in warmer temperatures as well in cooler temperatures.

Organic cotton & pure merino Baby Snug-Bonnet

Article via Ohbaby.co.nz