You Need To Make Your Baby Avoid The Winter Harm To Their Skin

You just can't keep your hands off your little one's oh-so-soft skin, and you’d do anything to keep it as silky as the day he was born. But with winter in the air, you need to do more than just bundle up your precious bundle. That's because a baby's thinner, more sensitive skin is especially vulnerable to dropping temps and wintry gusts. Here's what you need to know to ward off the winter's harm to your baby's skin.

You'd feel all that baby fat would help, but infants lose body heat a lot faster than we do. As a result, they're more prone to frostbite — especially on their tiny fingers, ears, toes, nose, and cheeks. How can you tell if your tot has been bitten? With frostbite, the affected area will feel very cold and look white or yellowish-gray.

If you spot signs of frostbite, there's no time to waste. Open up your coat and shirt and tuck your baby next to your skin for warmth. Then get to a doctor or emergency room stat. If that's not immediately possible, go indoors and begin gradually warming your baby.

Never put your infant next to a radiator, stove, or heater. Instead, soak the affected area in warm-to-the-touch water. If the area is too difficult to soak, use a warm, wet washcloth. Keep soaking or gently applying the washcloth until the color returns to your baby's skin. As his skin warms, it may become red, swollen, or blistered. Then, if you haven't already, call your baby's pediatrician.

Air is the best insulator, so dress your little one like an onion. He'll feel warmer and more comfortable in several layers of light- to medium-weight clothing than one big heavy outfit. Last but not least, make sure your baby's cold-weather gear includes a hat, mittens, cozy socks, boots, and a warm coat or snowsuit.

When it comes to winter skin care for wee ones, don't ignore those cherub lip area and chubby cheeks. Dry air and windy weather can play havoc with a baby's exposed skin, making chapped lips and cheeks, and even windburn common winter skin-care problems.

The same way you treat dry baby skin on any part of your little one's body — moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. At least twice a day, smooth some fragrance-free, hypoallergenic lotion, cream, or ointment on your baby's cheeks. And put some made-for-baby lip balm or ointment on your cutie's chapped lips. Always moisturize before you step out with your baby. On blustery days, use a plastic rain cover to keep the wind out of the stroller.