Winter Skin Care for Babies
Posted by admin on Aug 12, 2008
Babies are particularly prone to two skin problems in the winter: heat rash and eczema. Both are caused primarily by the extra clothing and warm dry air in the house during the winter. Eczema looks like dry, flaky red patches of skin, often on baby’s face. Heat rash, on the other hand, looks like tiny red pimples and usually appears in moist areas where clothing causes friction against the skin - back of the ears, neck folds, or the diaper area. The treatment for both is fairly similar: first, make sure to dress baby in loose-fitting cotton clothing, and avoid overbundling. When inside, babies usually don’t need extra layers anyway. Second, you may want to try a humidifier - that will help reduce the dryness in the air. For convenience you may want to look for a humidifier that automatically kills bacteria (usually with UV light), so that you don’t need to sanitize it. Keep baby’s nails trimmed, because scratching can lead to secondary infections. If all else fails, talk to your doctor to see if you should use a topical medication.
Childproofing in a Hotel
Posted by admin on Aug 11, 2008
If you are vacationing with young children in a hotel, there are a number of steps you can take to make sure that it will be a safe trip. If you have reservations, call ahead to your hotel and ask if they will childproof the room for you. They may or may not agree to do so, but it can’t hurt to ask. If they won’t (or if you don’t have a reservation), ask if they have childproofing kits, so that you can childproof the room yourself. If you are using a crib, be sure to inspect it to make sure it meets current safety guidelines (slats no more than 2 3/8″ apart, mattress fits tightly into crib). Check the television and other furniture to make sure they seem secure - ask hotel staff to move them if you have any concerns. Remove the tablecloth, unplug and put away any small appliances, and check the floor for stables, tacks, and other sharp/dangerous objects. And, of course, keep all windows and doors (particularly those that lead to balconies) closed and locked.
Babies and Winter Stuffiness
Posted by admin on Aug 4, 2008
One of the most difficult winter symptoms to see your baby suffer through is a stuffed up nose, particularly for infants under 5 months (they have not yet learned to breathe through their mouths). It can also be difficult to feed, because baby has to eat and breathe through his or her mouth. The good news is that there are actually a lot of things you can do to help. Saline drops or sprays can work wonders to loosen up mucus, and often will prompt a sneeze. This can cause most of the mucus to come out in one go, and often clears up baby’s nose for several hours. If the mucus does not come all the way out, you can use a warm washcloth and massage it out, moving from the bridge to the nostril. Alternatively, you can use a bulb syringe (you may have been given one of these as you were leaving the hospital and most baby hygiene kits include one). A bulb syringe may irritate baby’s nose if used too frequently, though, so keep it to three times a day or less. Warm mist or steam can also help get baby’s nose running. You can use run the shower and close the bathroom door, or use a vaporizer (warm mist humidifier) at night. Vaporizers produce steam and can therefore burn, so keep it out of reach of your kids.
Inexpensive Bathtime Fun for Babies
Posted by admin on Jul 16, 2008
Bath toys can be a lot of fun, but they’re usually not necessary. A few simple household items can keep your little guy or girl just as entertained, without any expense. Plastic bottles (if they’re the right size), measuring cups, bowls, or cups can all keep an infant entertained throughout bathtime. First, let him scoop and pour water out of each one (demonstrate if he’s not sure what to do). Then, if you have different sized utensils, scoop each one and pour it on his back, tummy, or head (be careful to avoid his face) so that he can feel the different quantities of water coming out of each one. Everyone knows that babies love playing with water, so this is an obvious winner. What may be less obvious is that baby is also learning visual-spatial skills, particularly the concepts of bigger and smaller. He notices the splash is nosier from one container than the other, and that the water pours out longer.
Keeping Baby Warm Outside in the Winter
Posted by admin on Jul 3, 2008
Parents worry a lot about whether or not their new baby is warm enough. Often these fears may be unfounded (babies don’t need to be any warmer in the summer than we do), but in the winter, and particularly outside, it is very important to ensure baby is warm enough. Newborns can go outside, but on days that are very windy or extra cold, try to avoid it as much as you can. The highest priority for a newborn is to make sure his or her head is covered with a good hat. When the weather is cold, it’s better to choose a cozy hat that fastens under the chin and totally covers the ears. If your baby isn’t walking yet, you can usually replace the snowsuit with a jacket and a warm blanket, but there are some nice “snow sacks” that are warm and easy to get on and off. Most have a slot where the carseat seatbelt can fit through, so you can easily put baby in the carseat without removing the sack. If your child is walking, a snowsuit will probably be necessary. When going in the car, it’s better to remove the winter coat first - the bulk will make the straps too loose. Use a blanket or a carseat cover instead. If your baby is in a sling or carrier, your body heat will provide some warmth, and you will probably be able to skip the coat. Keep a blanket on hand just in case, though.