Your winter baby essentials checklist

While it’s a misconception that the cold weather makes children sick, Johannesburg-based paediatrician Dr Emma Davel says that the cold does create an environment that makes it easier for bacteria and viruses to infect the body. 

“Basic things can help to keep you and your children safe during winter,” she says, highlighting that good hand, cough and sneeze hygiene is essential (wash your hands regularly, and sneeze or cough into your elbow to prevent spreading germs). Rather than keeping children and babies indoors, take them outside to get fresh air. “Also get the flu vaccine for everyone in the family over six months old,” advises Dr Davel.

Keeping baby comfortable – and safe 

If you’re heading outdoors with your baby, dress them in one layer more than you think they may need. Babies cannot regulate their body temperature like adults because they lack significant subcutaneous fat and have immature sweat glands, so they lose heat roughly four times faster than adults. If you have a small baby, cover their head with a hat or beanie as they can lose a lot of heat from their heads, adds Dr Davel. (Regularly feel your baby’s neck or chest. If their skin feels hot or sweaty, remove a layer immediately.)

At bathtime, keep bathwater between 37–38°C to ensure they are warm but not too hot, says Dr Davel. “Dry them quickly and remove wet towels once your baby has been dried. Do not keep babies wrapped in wet towels as this can make them cold and uncomfortable,” she says. 

When it’s bedtime, it can be tempting to wrap your baby up in thick layers to keep them warm, but it’s important to remember that it’s possible for them to overheat, and this increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), says Dr Davel. The ideal room temperature for sleeping babies is 16–20°C.

Dr Davel shares safe sleeping practices to remember for babies:

• Infant sleep suits or sleep sacks are best. Check manufacturer recommendations to select the correct tog (thermal overall grading). Do not add extra blankets on top of a sleep suit.

• Their cot must be empty – no cot bumpers, no stuffed toys, no loose blankets or pillows.

• Hot water bottles and electric blankets are not safe for use in cribs or cots and can lead to burns and overheating.

Shop winter babywear

Made 4 Baby Sleepsuits

Snuggletime Plush Sleep Sack

Made 4 Baby Beanie Mitten Set Sheepie

Signs your baby is not feeling well

“Congestion often comes with a runny nose with mucus visible in the nostrils. It can also cause babies to breathe loudly,” shares Dr Davel. “The best way to manage this is with saline nasal spray. If you find your baby is very congested and it is worse at night, a humidifier can be used as it may offer some relief. Always use cool mist humidifiers and ensure they are not placed too close to the baby’s cot.”

The most accurate way to take a baby’s temperature is with a rectal thermometer, which can be uncomfortable, says Dr Davel. She says that parents can use axillary (under the arm) or aural (in the ear) thermometers to check their baby’s temperature, but flags that these may be affected by the baby’s skin temperature and are, therefore, not as accurate.

Shop baby first aid and congestion relief

Clicks Made 4 Baby Nasal Spray

Clicks Ultrasonic Humidifier

Clicks Digital Thermometer

Braun IRT3030EE Thermoscan 3 Ear Thermometer

Caring for your baby’s skin

As the weather cools down, pay attention to the types of body wash and moisturisers you apply to your baby’s skin, as hydration becomes more important in preventing dry skin and flare-ups of other skin conditions, such as eczema.

“Glycerine-containing emollients, like Vaseline or aqueous cream, are great for everyday use. For very cracked and irritated skin, a body cream containing zinc is good,” says Dr Davel.

“Sensitive skin shows up as dryness, irritation with redness and a bumpy rash. It often happens in dry weather or when the skin is exposed to irritants like fragrances in washing powders and baby products,” she adds.

Shop winter baby skincare

Epi-Max Junior and Baby Cream

Made 4 Baby Aqueous Cream Fragrance Free Tub

Made 4 Baby Zinc and Castor Oil Cream