By Kylee Harris
There’s something idyllic about caring for a newborn in winter since it evokes cosy images of bonding at home. Imagine sitting in front of a fireplace and sharing a plush blanket with your partner while cuddling your little one to keep them warm. The season allows you to bond deeply and enjoy peaceful times with your baby, and bask in the simple joys that the cold weather brings. However, there’s also the fact that winter can put your family at risk of certain ailments, which is why it’s so important to take health precautions during this time.
According to London-based paediatricians Dr. Martin Grey and Dr. Margarita Burmester, newborns are at high risk of contracting numerous winter respiratory viruses such as rhinovirus, influenza virus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), among other illnesses. Practising simple things such as handwashing can help to protect your child from most winter-related ailments, while keeping your house warm can make your baby less vulnerable to viruses. If you’re a new parent, here are some effective ways to keep a warm and healthy home for your newborn during the winter season.
Winter-Proof Your Home
Many people believe that cold weather can cause common illnesses like colds, cough, fever and flu in children. In reality though, cold weather doesn’t directly cause sickness, but it does create an environment that can make newborns vulnerable to respiratory infections. In fact, new research has found that colder temperatures can have an adverse effect on the immune response that takes place inside the nose. Since the nasal cells have become less effective in neutralising viruses, this leads to a host of illnesses, especially in newborns as their immune system has not yet been fully developed.
To reduce the risks of respiratory infections, you’ll need to create a home environment that’s less favourable for virus survival, so think about winter-proofing your abode to keep it warm and dry. Aim to have a consistent indoor temperature, especially for common areas which should be at around 68°F (20°C) when occupied. Next, look for gaps around windows, doors and pipes and wires entering your home, then use caulk on these areas to seal drafts and prevent cold air from coming into your space.
You should also take precautions to protect your pipes from freezing. Having frozen pipes prevents hot water from circulating, and it stops water from reaching your radiators or baseboard heaters, which can leave most of your rooms feeling cold. Try wrapping pipes with pipe insulation, and leave kitchen and cabinet doors open so that warm air can get in. Doing so can help to keep water pipes warm and in good condition, even during a snowstorm.
