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Home › Articles › General Safety Issues › Keeping Infants Snug as a Bug

Keeping Infants Snug as a Bug

Bundling Baby for Winter

By April E. Clark

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Dr. Shu and Dr. Jana discourage the use of loose bedding or using a heater or heavy clothing and a lot of blankets. This can increase the risk of SIDS. "Instead, dress your baby appropriately for sleep, in snug-fitting pajamas, for example, over a onesie and socks," says Dr. Shu. "If you choose to use a blanket, make sure it is thin, and swaddle your baby."

The co-authors also support the use of the feet-to-foot method, which involves covering the baby from the chest down and tucking in blanket edges at the foot and sides of the crib or bassinet mattress. Of course, they warn against leaving children unattended near fireplaces, space heaters, warm water humidifiers and wood stoves.

Out and About
When taking babies outdoors, Dr. Shu and Dr. Jana advise parents to cover hands, feet and head, which are areas of the body that suffer the greatest heat loss, and minimize exposed skin as often as possible. "Layer clothing and use fleece and buntings for extremely cold weather," Dr. Shu says. "We now have the luxury and convenience of warm, machine washable, comfortable and breathable fabrics such as thin/soft fleece with zippers and Velcro flaps to cover hands, feet and ears."

If problems do arise when babies are taken outdoors, the doctors stress that parents should seek medical attention if Baby's skin – especially extremities such as fingers, toes, nose and ears – are gray or blue or bright red, wich can indicate frostbite or hypothermia. They also suggest parents should err on the side of caution when traveling with babies in the car, especially if taking a road trip to colder climates and higher elevations.


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