Six ways to protect your baby's skin this winter

North Bay women donate cash to feed babies

More than 152 local women gave thanks last week by donating $15,272.55 in support of local babies and families.
Donations were made in response to the 100 Women • 100 Dollars • 100 Hours campaign, which ran between Oct. 9 and 12 in the North Bay area.
All funds raised will go directly to the Trinity Infant Food Shelf, which is open to all members of our community and provides families with all of the essential baby care supplies they need to foster healthy infants in their first year.
Families are given formula, breastfeeding supplies, baby food, sleep sacks, baby blankets and more.
In addition, volunteers provide support and encouragement to new parents and caregivers, and offer health education in areas including: infant nutrition, safe sleep practices, and child development and safety.
"We are so thankful for the overwhelming support of our community for the 100 Women • 100 Dollars • 100 Hours campaign," stated Wendy Abdallah, one of the campaign organizers.
"We know that the more than $15,000 that has been raised will have a big local impact for local babies and families who benefit from the help of the Trinity Infant Food Shelf and its volunteers. Thanks to your support, the Trinity Infant Food Shelf is stocked and ready to serve our community."
The 100 Women • 100 Dollars • 100 Hours campaign was spearheaded by a group of five local organizers – Abdallah, Mark Deacon, Lynn Larondeau, Linda McLay representing the Trinity Infant Food Shelf, and Beverly Martin. Reverend Ted Harrison and Michelina Beam, both with the Trinity United Church, also provided support.
The Trinity Infant Food Shelf was first established in 2014 to respond to community need. Since its inception, it has provided support to more than 300 families, at an average cost of $650 per infant each year.
It is a not-for-profit group that is run by volunteers and is open each Wednesday between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at 111 McIntyre Street East.
The Trinity Infant Food Shelf is open to all members of our community and provides families with all of the essential baby care supplies they need to foster healthy infants in their first year. Families are given formula, breastfeeding supplies, baby food, sleep sacks, baby blankets and more. In addition, volunteers provide support and encouragement to new parents and caregivers, and offer health education in areas including: infant nutrition, safe sleep practices, and child development and safety.

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.