This is our first winter with baby!
Our baby (now almost 9 months) loves to sleep outdoors in winter. I was a bit iffy at first about putting him outside in the cold but I've been pleasantly surprised with the results! Over a few weeks now I've let him sleep outside for his afternoon naps and each time he sleeps much deeper and longer.
Please advise on the following:
1. He just caught a cold and has a runny nose and a slight cough. Is it still wise to put him outside to sleep? He finds it difficult to sleep these few days because of his blocked nose but drops off immediately to slumberland when I take him outside.
I dress him up snug and warm and also cover his mouth and neck with a scarf. Pop him in a sleeping bag and also cover the entire buggy with a fleece blanket. How much should baby be wearing when he is sleeping outside? Sometimes I dress him up too much and he ends up really hot and sweaty and sometimes too little - I'm still trying to get the hang of this!
I don't want to exacerbate his cold and am worried if I should just keep him indoors all the time?
2. How long can I let my baby sleep outside and at what temperatures?
3. What cream do you put on baby's face to protect skin from getting dry in winter?
Thank you!
Baby care in winter
Re: Baby care in winter
My SO puts our son to sleep outside for some time.
We have a baby monitor in the stroller that he sleeps outside in.
He is also dressed warmly and snuggly except for the face.
We dont put him outside to sleep when he is having a fever or cold ( Currently he has been down with the flu for a week and so no sleeping outside for a week or so).
Our son sleeps only partially for around 3 hours max. If your baby sleep longer, it shouldnt hurt as long as the temperature doesnt go below -5 or so.
We have been using Lipolan on his face. We use Cerelan for other parts of his body.
We have a baby monitor in the stroller that he sleeps outside in.
He is also dressed warmly and snuggly except for the face.
We dont put him outside to sleep when he is having a fever or cold ( Currently he has been down with the flu for a week and so no sleeping outside for a week or so).
Our son sleeps only partially for around 3 hours max. If your baby sleep longer, it shouldnt hurt as long as the temperature doesnt go below -5 or so.
We have been using Lipolan on his face. We use Cerelan for other parts of his body.


I'm really too tired to write anything, but I try anyhow... Sorry for bad English.
It's ok to sleep outside still when it is -15 or so, no problem to sleep couple hours at all when you just put wool clothes under the suit, sleeping bag and some cover. Head or face does not need anything extra - not even when the baby has a cold. When having a cold (or a flu), it is easier to sleep outside and keep nose easierly open. Just notice then the ears are not too blocked (ear infection "danger"), simple hat is enough in this stupid summer weather we have nowadays. I would say the wool clothes and extra cover are not necessary - yet.
And of course you look the wind does not blow straight into the pram.
It's ok to sleep outside still when it is -15 or so, no problem to sleep couple hours at all when you just put wool clothes under the suit, sleeping bag and some cover. Head or face does not need anything extra - not even when the baby has a cold. When having a cold (or a flu), it is easier to sleep outside and keep nose easierly open. Just notice then the ears are not too blocked (ear infection "danger"), simple hat is enough in this stupid summer weather we have nowadays. I would say the wool clothes and extra cover are not necessary - yet.
And of course you look the wind does not blow straight into the pram.
Thank you both for your replies! Baby is fully recovered! It was good to get some confirmation and advice concerning winter and baby. It's pretty amazing how despite the minus temperatures, babies still find it so comfortable and sleep so well! (I haven't tried putting him out in minus temperature yet and of course with our current winter there's not been many days of minus either!)
I know the flu bug is around and lots of babies are down with the cold. Here are some other tips which I picked up during this last bout of cold which you might find useful.
1. Raise the head of baby's mattress/bed slightly to ease with the breathing. This is also to drain the mucus out and avoid baby getting an ear infection.
A flat pillow may be used under the mattress. Do not place a pillow in the cot with baby. Or then cans of tuna may be placed under the legs of the cot itself.
2. My friend recommended chopped fresh onions to be placed near baby. I know this sounds weird and oh the room smelt like the corner kebab joint! But it did help baby sleep through the night funnily enough!
3. Saline drops (Natr.Chlorid - Orion Pharma) was a great help! Washed out all the snot and then use a sucker to suck out the gunk. Not so comfortable for baby but it really does clear up the nasal passage.
4. Let baby drink lots of warm fluids. My friend recommended warm blackcurrant juice but I just gave warm water.
Btw, is there anything here at the pharmacy that can be used to rub on baby's chest to keep it warm like Vicks Vaporub? Is it safe?
I know the flu bug is around and lots of babies are down with the cold. Here are some other tips which I picked up during this last bout of cold which you might find useful.
1. Raise the head of baby's mattress/bed slightly to ease with the breathing. This is also to drain the mucus out and avoid baby getting an ear infection.
A flat pillow may be used under the mattress. Do not place a pillow in the cot with baby. Or then cans of tuna may be placed under the legs of the cot itself.
2. My friend recommended chopped fresh onions to be placed near baby. I know this sounds weird and oh the room smelt like the corner kebab joint! But it did help baby sleep through the night funnily enough!
3. Saline drops (Natr.Chlorid - Orion Pharma) was a great help! Washed out all the snot and then use a sucker to suck out the gunk. Not so comfortable for baby but it really does clear up the nasal passage.
4. Let baby drink lots of warm fluids. My friend recommended warm blackcurrant juice but I just gave warm water.
Btw, is there anything here at the pharmacy that can be used to rub on baby's chest to keep it warm like Vicks Vaporub? Is it safe?
Normal, we have the baby bed always a little higher than normal at the head side with newspapersShazzer wrote: 1. Raise the head of baby's mattress/bed slightly to ease with the breathing. This is also to drain the mucus out and avoid baby getting an ear infection.
Havent tried it though. But it has been said in Indian tradition to be used..2. My friend recommended chopped fresh onions to be placed near baby. I know this sounds weird and oh the room smelt like the corner kebab joint! But it did help baby sleep through the night funnily enough!
We re doin it for our 6 mo. old son..Agree with them not likin it...he screems n screems after the fact...3. Saline drops (Natr.Chlorid - Orion Pharma) was a great help! Washed out all the snot and then use a sucker to suck out the gunk. Not so comfortable for baby but it really does clear up the nasal passage.
Vicks is not to be used for Under 2 year old babies...Btw, is there anything here at the pharmacy that can be used to rub on baby's chest to keep it warm like Vicks Vaporub? Is it safe?
Warm wrapping mebbe useful..


- scoobymcdoo
- Posts: 675
- Joined: Tue Jun 22, 2004 9:46 pm
I think one of the things to do when they are ill is ensure that they eat plenty of fresh fruit and veg- the odd blackcurrant drink is not going to turn him into a sugar addict over night. It will hydrate him nicely and give him a little extra energy to help him feel better. He may even drink more of it because of the blackcurrant which will keep him topped up nicely...snot has a ton of water in it.
On the other hand I am a firm believer in 'everything in moderation'...tonight is Friday night crap food night! DP and I have take away pizza and beer and Sophie will have Heinz baked beans, sausages and a ton of broccoli- her favourite foods at the moment...she doesn't like pizza very much. The baked beans and the suasages are not overly healthy but once every so often hasn't harmed her.
Whenver S has had a cold I make sure she gets fresh air every day, a bit of panadol if she has a temperature, an easy day with the odd bit of TV and some nice things to eat and drink.
Hannah
On the other hand I am a firm believer in 'everything in moderation'...tonight is Friday night crap food night! DP and I have take away pizza and beer and Sophie will have Heinz baked beans, sausages and a ton of broccoli- her favourite foods at the moment...she doesn't like pizza very much. The baked beans and the suasages are not overly healthy but once every so often hasn't harmed her.
Whenver S has had a cold I make sure she gets fresh air every day, a bit of panadol if she has a temperature, an easy day with the odd bit of TV and some nice things to eat and drink.
Hannah