Keeping Your Newborn Safe and Snuggly In The Fall

The weather is crisp, the days are getting shorter, and we’re all gearing up for the holiday season. Did you or someone you know recently have a baby? Wondering how to navigate this season with a brand new little one? Here is everything you need to know about your newborn’s first fall season.

1. Keeping your baby warm during the cooler months.

Newborns are not efficient at regulating their body temperature. This means that sudden increases or decreases in outdoor temperature can affect them much more severely than it would an adult. Babies can actually lose body heat up to four times faster than an adult! Premature infants or low birth weight infants have even less body fat on them and may have an even harder time controlling their body temperature.

When your newborn feels too cold, he uses energy and oxygen to warm up. Keeping your newborn at an ideal temperature is beneficial for helping them build their energy reserves.

Skin-to-skin contact is extremely beneficial during the early months. Spending time each day doing skin-to-skin with your baby can help them learn to regulate their body temperature.

When going outside, the general rule is to dress your baby in one extra layer of clothing. So, if you are wearing a long-sleeved shirt and pants, dress your baby the same and consider adding a warm jacket and a hat to your baby’s outfit. If your baby is in a stroller, don’t forget to bring along a blanket for added warmth.

Even better - wear your baby in the KeaBabies Baby Wrap Carrier! Babywearing is beneficial for both mother and baby, and a perfect way to keep warm during the cooler months! The KeaBabies wrap fabric is thick enough to keep your little one warm. Babywearing, and the closeness between caregiver and child, help your baby begin to regulate her own body temperature over time.

2. Dressing your baby for bedtime.

When dressing your newborn for bed, follow the same rule: what you’re wearing, plus one layer. You can put a short-sleeved onesie under a nightgown or sleeper. You can put socks on your baby when he’s not wearing footie pajamas. Your baby’s bedroom should be kept between 68 and 72 degrees. Just as newborns can become cold very easily, they can also overheat very quickly - so be cautious not to blast the heater in your baby’s nursery right before bed. Feel the back of your baby’s neck to check for dampness. If you feel lots of perspiration, it’s time to cool down the room or remove a layer of clothing. Swaddling your baby can help keep them warm at night as well!

3. Navigating holidays and family gatherings.

There are lots of special holidays and gatherings in the fall. This means your newborn will likely be around a lot of people. Protect your newborn from germs and illnesses by washing your hands, and encouraging those around you to wash their hands, before holding the baby. If you are worried about too many people touching the baby, consider using a car seat canopy or wearing your baby. Halloween is a great time to wear your baby in a carrier like the KeaBabies Baby Wrap Carrier, especially if you have older children to look after! Wearing your baby means he can still be part of the action but in a safe and secure way! Wearing your baby also prevents strangers from trying to touch your newborn.

4. Babywearing basics.

Babywearing can be a wonderful way to keep baby warm and snug during the fall. Firstly, babywearing is ideal for all those fun family adventures! Go hands-free and wear your baby while visiting the pumpkin patch, going trick-or-treating, going apple picking, going on walks or hikes, and attending family parties. Choose a comfortable carrier, such as the KeaBabies Baby Wrap Carrier, to wear your little one with ease and comfort!

Newborns should be held using the newborn hug hold, with their head, neck, and back supported by the carrier. Newborns lack advanced muscle strength, so it is important for them to always be held securely and properly in a baby carrier. Soft, stretchy wraps like the KeaBabies Baby Wrap Carrier are ideal for newborns because the fabric is adjustable and can conform comfortably to a newborn’s body. It is also a great way to keep your little one warm on chilly days!

5. Car seat safety.

No matter how cold the day is, you should never put a heavy or bulky jacket on your baby before placing her in the car seat. This added bulkiness can interfere with the harness’s ability to keep your infant safe in an accident. Your baby can wear a jacket to the car, but it should be removed before you buckle her in. You can safely keep your baby warm in the car in other ways - give your baby a hat, mittens, a blanket, or socks and shoes.

Follow these tips and tricks, and your little one’s first fall is sure to be a memorable one!

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Parenting is awesome. Sleep is overrated. Every day is an adventure.