Babies don’t talk and they cry for a multitude of reasons (duh!). We also know that newborns don’t quite regulate their own body temperature. The combination of these facts led to freezing the baby always being my top fear during winter adventures – much more so than dealing with altitude, lack of naps, weird feeding schedule, and so on.
how should I dress the baby up for the cold?
Newborns are still human. Chances are, they are going to be just fine if you dress them similarly to yourself. You can consider adding one extra layer, in particular if you’re moving around and they are not.
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Further quick tips:
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- Don’t forget a hat as most heat leaves the body through the head.
- Bring a warm, soft blanket to help baby keep cozy and comfortable.
- Don’t hesitate to ask for warm water to heat your bottle of milk (if appropriate).
- It’s also easy to use a down jumpsuit that can slip on over other clothes.
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how will I recognize and deal with a cold baby?
Until you’ve had enough reps to develop a pattern recognition, you’ll likely want to check your newborn’s temperature frequently to ensure they are not too cold (or too warm). A good rule of thumb is to keep their hands and feet warm but not sweaty. That should do just fine!
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Usually, you’ll be able to help them through encouraging a bit of movement or adding a layer or two. Another “hack” is always skin to skin contact aka using your body temperature to warm the baby. Again, all quite simple.
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And just in case things escalate…here are some signs of hypothermia to look out for:
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- Pale or bluish skin appearance and arms and legs cold to the touch
- Body temperature below normal range of 97.7°F to 99.5°F (36.5°C to 37.5°C)
- Weak cry or lethargy accompanied by lower activity level than usual
- Difficulty feeding or or unusual lack of interest in eating
- In severe cases, apparent breathing problems
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If your babies does show signs of hypothermia, you’d want to seek medical care immediately.
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