Protect your baby in cold weather.

Because newborns have weak immune systems, they are at a very high risk of getting sick in cold weather. Parents need to pay special attention to caring for and preventing illness in newborns during the cold season.

Common illnesses in infants during cold weather.

Because newborns are weak and their bodies are not yet able to stabilize and regulate their body temperature, they are very susceptible to catching colds and developing typical illnesses such as the following when the weather turns cold:

- Respiratory illnesses: When infants breathe, cold air enters their airways, drying them out and making them susceptible to colds. Furthermore, cold weather creates a favorable environment for various viruses, especially those causing ear, nose, and throat infections, putting infants at high risk of respiratory illnesses such as colds, bronchitis, pneumonia, and rhinitis.



- Skin conditions such as diaper rash, dry skin, dermatitis, and allergic dermatitis are caused by cold weather, which dries out the skin, leading to dryness, cracking, and chafing. Because of the cold weather, some parents worry about their babies catching a cold and wrap them in too many layers of clothing, preventing proper ventilation. Over-bundling can increase body temperature, causing sweat to build up and become itchy and inflamed if not wiped away promptly. Additionally, some parents are worried about their babies catching a cold and neglect to change diapers and bathe them regularly, leading to diaper rash in areas like the groin, neck, and armpits.

Pay special attention to keeping your head warm, as the head is a place where heat is easily lost.

Preventing illnesses in children during the cold season.

For newborns, the best methods recommended by doctors to help parents prevent illness during the cold season are: keeping the baby warm, ensuring good hygiene, and breastfeeding if possible.

- Keep your baby warm: Newborns need to be kept warm because they cannot regulate their body temperature and cannot dress themselves like adults, nor are they old enough to tell you they are cold. Therefore, parents need to:

+ Put a hat on your newborn, put on mittens and socks, and dress them in warm clothes, paying special attention to keeping their head warm as it's the easiest area to lose heat. However, make sure the baby's clothes are made from breathable, absorbent materials.

+ Do not let the baby sleep in a drafty area; the room must be well-ventilated.

+ If it's too cold, mothers can help keep their babies warm by transferring body heat through direct skin-to-skin contact, allowing the mother's body heat to transfer to the baby.

+ Bathe your baby with warm water, preparing towels and all necessary items to save time during bathing. Be careful not to bathe your baby for too long, paying attention to areas like the neck, armpits, groin, and genitals. After bathing, quickly dry your baby and keep them warm.

Help your baby stay safe and healthy through the cold winter months.

- Maintain cleanliness:

+ When the weather is cold, it's not necessary to bathe your baby every day, but you should pay attention to skin hygiene. You can use the method of wiping your baby with warm water instead of bathing daily as you would in hot weather.

+ Because newborns often urinate frequently, parents need to pay attention to checking and changing diapers regularly to maintain hygiene and prevent the baby from catching a cold from urine.

- Breastfeed your baby (if possible) because breast milk contains antibacterial substances that help boost immunity and effectively fight infections. During breastfeeding, the mother will hold the baby close, thereby transferring her body heat to the baby, helping to keep the baby warm.

MD (ST)