Skincare for Tots

Shielding Kids from Winter's Chill

By Laura Cone

In cold-weather climates, winter brings a romantic white blanket of snow and harsh conditions that dry out Baby's beautiful skin.

RaShelle Hindman of Longmont, Colo., says her two sons, Brady and Chase, were not used to the dry, cold winters when they first moved to Colorado from Kansas a year ago. "We were used to a lot of humidity," says Hindman.  "When we moved to Colorado, dryness is something we began to fight all the time. One thing I do is run a humidifier and make sure I run it all the time. I also use Vaseline. Vaseline tends to be a little bit better for my kids than lotion because it does not burn, especially if it's overly chapped. I can put it on their skin at night before they go to bed."

Hindman says she also makes sure her sons do not spend too much time in bath water. "The longer they are in the water, the drier their skin gets," she says.

Many experts suggest not giving babies bubble baths, which are the leading cause of urinary tract infections in infants. Instead, add a few drops of lavender oil to Baby's bath water, which will soothe both mother and child.

When it comes to dressing babies and toddlers for winter, many moms, including Hindman, dress their children in layers. "We are closer to the sun here in Colorado than in other places," Hindman says. "It does warm up. If there is no wind and the sun is shining, even if it's 50 degrees it still feels warm, so layering is the best thing to do. That way, your kids can be comfortable if the wind comes up and it is chilly or if they get warm they have something to take off and they can still be comfortable."

Hindman says Brady does not like to keep his coat or mittens on, but she tries to keep a hat over his ears and mittens to prevent frostbite on his fingers. "At a toddler stage you are lucky to keep anything on them," she says.

Want to see more?

• Sun Safety: Protection During Pregnancy
• Cold Weather Got You Down? Practical Tips for Surviving Winter with an Infant
• Revive With Vitamins: Beauty From the Inside Out
• Talk about it!