With the bitter cold temperatures of winter in full force, parents might be unsure how to dress their infants to keep them warm in teeth-chattering temperatures – without overdoing the layers.
Generally, parents should put one layer more on their baby than they put on themselves in cold weather, said Dr. John LaCount, a pediatrician with St. Elizabeth Physicians’ Florence office.
“But, if the infant’s hands and faces are uncovered, they can get cold very quickly,” LaCount said. “Hats are extremely important because they lose so much heat from their heads.”
What About Frostbite?
In below freezing temperatures, an adult might get frostbite on exposed skin after being outside for 30 minutes. For a baby, frostbite could develop in as little as 5 to 10 minutes of exposure, LaCount said. Heed warnings about limiting exposure when the temperature dips into the teens or single digits.
What Layers Are Recommended?
In addition to a warm hat, LaCount recommends mittens and covering your baby with a blanket. For infants still being toted around in their infant car seat carrier, a blanket over the top of the entire carrier when the baby is outside can keep the air inside the carrier warm. You also can buy a blanket cover designed to stretch right over the top of the carrier without drooping down over the infant’s face.
Once you’re indoors or in the car, the main concern is overheating. To help regulate your baby’s body heat, adjust their layers and remove their hat in warmer environments. Aside from checking their temperature, there’s no reliable way to tell if they’re too hot or too cold.
Is It Safe to Place a Child in a Car Seat While Wearing a Thick Coat?
When not traveling in a car, babies can wear a winter coat or full-body snowsuit-style coat outside. But the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) warns against bulky outwear while strapped in the car seat. Any bulky clothing will prevent the baby from being harnessed safely in the event of an accident, as that thick material will flatten upon impact and could cause the child to slip out of the harness straps.
Instead, the AAP recommends a light jacket or thin layers; strap the child into the car seat and then tuck a blanket around them once they are safely harnessed.
The detachable car seat carrier that snaps into a base for infants can be stored inside the house instead of in the car, that way the baby will be seated in an already warm car seat and won’t lose body heat by being placed in a cold car seat in a cold car.
For more information, reach out to your child’s pediatrician. Additionally, to explore seasonal topics and tips on caring for your baby during the winter, visit Beyond Delivery.
