From sledding to snow delays, winter weather offers plenty of opportunities for family fun. But when weather turns severe, infants are at greater risk of frostbite, hypothermia and other winter woes if parents don't take cold weather precautions. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, one of the best steps parents can take to prevent winter health problems is to encourage frequent handwashing to prevent the spread of germs and viruses to infants.
Indoors
Choose one-piece sleepers to keep your infant warm at nap time and night. Adding a blanket for warmth is not recommended because of the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, but if you do, make sure you tuck it securely under the crib mattress. The blanket should rise no higher than your baby's chest so her face cannot be covered by the bedding, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Outdoors
If you're going outdoors, keep your infant warm by dressing him in layers. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, dress your baby in one more layer than an older child or adult would wear in the same weather conditions. Don't forget to cover your infant's fingers, toes and head because most of a baby's body heat is lost through the head. You should also apply a layer of sunscreen to your baby's skin, because the sun's rays can still cause sunburn in winter, especially when the light reflects off the snow. According to Parenting, babies do need fresh air in winter, but when temperatures dip to near freezing, parents should limit outdoor time to just a few minutes.
Skin Care
Your infant's skin is sensitive, and too-frequent bathing can dry out skin unnecessarily during the winter months. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends bathing your infant only two or three times weekly during winter. In addition, curb the urge to briskly rub your baby dry after her bath. Instead, use the towel to gently blot her skin dry, then apply a rich moisturizer to keep her skin soft and protect it from the effects of cold weather.
Nasal Care
Heated indoor air dries out the nasal passageways, making nosebleeds a common occurrence during the winter months, and colds and flu can leave infants with stuffy noses. To moisten nasal passages and relieve congestion, your child's doctor may recommend you squirt saline nasal sprays into your child's nostrils. Allowing your baby to breathe in the hot, moist air by running a shower or bath may also help loosen mucus in the nose, according to Parenting. Adding a cool mist vaporizer to your child's room is another cold-weather strategy you can use to keep nasal passages moist.
