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Going out with baby in winter

The cold often worries new parents who prefer not to go outside with their newborn in winter. Have no fear, you can take the air with your baby and take a stroll in a stroller or sled.

You can also slip your child into a belly carrier, where he will benefit from your body heat. Winter outings are as good for you as they are for your baby, provided you take certain precautions.

The first walk with baby in winter

Avoid baby carriers that go on your back, as your baby will be less protected from the wind and cold.

For the first outing with your baby, enjoy a short walk (about 15 to 20 minutes) after feeding him and changing his diaper. Gradually increase the duration of outings. You will quickly be able to take walks of about 1 hour each day. However,do not go outside if your baby is not well(e.g. if he has a cold or is very grumpy).

As much as possible, avoid indoor public places (e.g. grocery stores, shopping malls and public transportation) during your baby’s first months. Bacteria and viruses in these places can make him sick.

Is it too cold for baby? For babies, it is best to stay indoors when the outside temperature is below -12°C. For older children, it is recommended not to send them outside to play if the temperature, with or without the wind factor, is -27°C or less. Moreover, dry cold is always better tolerated than wet cold.

Dress your baby warmly, but not too much

During his first months, your baby is not able to regulate his body temperature well. He therefore suffers more from cold and heat than you, without being able to tell you his discomfort (too cold, too hot). So dress your child according to the temperature and try to decode his signs of discomfort. Here are some tips:

  1. Cover your baby's head. Choose a toque or hat that covers the head and ears, as a lot of heat is lost by his head. Choose a toque or hat that ties under the chin, as they are less likely to move around.
  2. Hide his hands and feet. Your baby's hands and feet cool faster than the rest of his body. Besides, he can't move them to warm them up. To prevent frostbite, cover your hands and feet well before going out and make sure they are always well covered during the walk.
  3. Layer the layers of clothing. Since the he air between the clothes acts as an insulator, put your baby in a camisole, a sweater, then a coat, for example, rather than just putting on a big woolen sweater. This will allow you to remove or add layers of clothing as needed. Your baby should wear one more layer of clothing than you. For example, if you put 2 sweaters under your coat, your baby should have 3. If you enter a heated place, make sure that your baby's sweat does not wet his clothes.

Protect your baby's skin in winter

Before going out, put some moisturizer on your baby's face, which is exposed to the cold and wind. Many creams, lotions and gels are also designed to protect the delicate skin of babies.

If your child is salivating a lot, wipe his cheeks and chin often to prevent frostbite caused by his cold saliva. If you plan to stay outside for a long time on a very sunny day, remember to protect your baby's skin from the sun's rays, even in winter.

(Source: Annie Lacroix, Nursing Consulting Executive.)

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