Winter with Your Baby

As the colder months approach, we face chilly temperatures, increased risk of sickness, and less daylight hours – all of which can make the postpartum period harder than it already is for many parents. You might be unsure of how to entertain yourself and your baby in a healthy way, but there’s plenty of safe indoor activities that can make the season ahead a little easier and enjoyable.

• An indoor pool for example. Get in the water with your baby and enjoy some time splashing around in the warmth.
• A trip to a nature center, history, or art museum. Take your baby and any older kids around to see some neat sights and interact with cool displays.
• Browse your local library. Let your baby and any older children play in the kids’ section or read some books together. If your baby takes a nap in a carrier, settle down with a book by yourself. Also check if your library has any baby-specific programming, such as baby lap-sit story-time or sensory play.
• Try a movement class with your baby. Your local gym or community center might have baby- and parent-movement classes to which you can bring your baby in a carrier for some zumba.

We know the darkness of winter can make getting out of the house a difficult task for many parents. For some, driving at night or in colder temperatures, often through slick and snow, can feel risky. So, for those of us that want to stay in, here are some creative at-home activities to try.

• Make music. Pick items that are not breakable or dangerous – such as a wooden spoon, empty shoe box, and Tupperware lids – to make a baby-friendly drum set! Play nursery rhymes on your phone and bang along with your baby.
• Try some movement to bump up the energy. You can try bouncing around to nursery rhymes or singing and swaying along to your own favorite artists. There are also many baby-wearing yoga or exercise classes online and if you have a toddler, try Cosmic Kids Yoga

If nothing else, you can always sit by a sunny window and soak up some sunlight and vitamin D while you snuggle and play with your little one(s).

The cold doesn’t help either. Here are some tips to keep warm – and safe – when outdoors.

• Wear your baby to share body warmth. This is a great way to hold your baby close, stay toasty, and bond during play or sleep times. You can even wear your baby inside your winter coat, as long as their head is outside of the coat and their nose/breathing is not blocked. Sharing body warmth is also more effective than wrapping babies in their own blankets.
• Buy a set of warm, age-appropriate, winter clothes for your baby to wear inside and outside. For the indoors, you will need socks, onesies, and footies with built-in hand mittens, and fleece swaddles or sleep sacks for nap or bedtime. For going outside or riding in the car, it helps to have booties, mittens, a warm hat, thick onesies or sweaters and pants, and an outdoor waterproof jacket.

Remember, in the car, bulky outwear (jackets, snowsuits, etc.) should be removed before strapping a baby into the car safety seat. Here is some information on car seat safety in the winter.

What about staying healthy through the cold and dark winter?

• Keep your baby’s room temperature between 68 and 72 °F and use a humidifier in your baby’s room to keep dry winter air at bay.
• Avoid giving your baby a bath every day; every other day or every few days is enough without the summer heat. You can also keep your baby clean with a sponge-down, using a warm washcloth or water wet wipe.
• Go on your outings during off-peak hours, such as on weekday mornings or afternoons, to avoid exposure to crowds. This includes errands and doctor’s appointments. Your baby’s immune system is immature, and this simple precaution can help protect against colds and coughs, flu, covid, and RSV.
• Keep a mask handy. You never know when you will need or want one.
• Don’t shy away from asking people to not touch your baby. Wearing is a great barrier, preventing strangers from leaning in.
• Remind older siblings to not touch, kiss, or smother your baby’s face; direct them to the legs and feet.
• Ask your pediatrician in advance for a list of age-appropriate medical supplies to keep at home. A late-night CVS run is never fun, especially in the cold!

Wintertime with babies can be challenging, but there are also plenty of opportunities to get creative with your daily activities. Also, remember to take care of yourself and ask for help during the holidays when things are busy with family. Spend time alone and/or alone with your partner(s) occasionally, or let a friend make you dinner. And you can always ask for a trusted postpartum doula – Metropolitan Doulas is here, to watch your baby so you can spend time enjoying some time alone or with your loved ones.

Stay safe, stay warm, and have a happy new year!