Winter essentials checklist for parents

For first-time parents, as the colder months approach, it can be overwhelming with a seemingly never-endling list of newborn winter essentials. Being prepared can help make this season easier, whether you’re planning on staying cosy inside, or you’re keen to brave the outside, keeping your little one healthy and happy is a priority.

Clothing essentials

If you’re unsure on how to dress your newborn in colder weather, a good rule to go by is to clothe them in one extra layer than you’re wearing. Clothes that are easy to take on and off are also a practical choice, in case you need to adjust as the temperature changes. Comfy and cosy pieces are the key to keeping your little one content in winter.

Some essential clothing basics for these months are:

• Sleepsuits – Cotton are best as they’re more breathable and gentler on your baby’s skin.
• Bodysuits and vests– These are an essential for layering and it’s a good idea to get these in both long and short-sleeved for year-round use.
• Socks/booties – Your newborn won’t need shoes yet, however, socks and booties can keep their little feet nice and cosy.
• Hat and mittens – A hat is the perfect way to keep your little one’s head warm, especially if you’re out and about. Mittens that are slightly thicker than scratch ones are perfect to keep their fingers safe in frigid temperatures.
• Snowsuit – This is your baby’s equivalent of a winter coat and there are fluffy or padded options on the market that provide added warmth. However, ensure you remove this suit before you place them in a car suit to keep them secure and prevent overheating when driving.
• Bath towel – A hooded bath towel is a great addition to keep your baby cosy after bathtime.

Nighttime

At nighttime, the temperature can drop significantly, so taking the right precautions to avoid your baby getting too cold while they sleep is important.

A baby sleeping bag is a pouch that covers your little one’s head, neck and arms, designed to be worn at night and naptimes. These can help your baby maintain a constant temperature and reduce the chance of overheating.

They can be used from birth to around 36 months, but it’s crucial to ensure you use the right size for your baby’s age and weight. The correct size means your baby won’t be at risk of slipping into the sleeping bag or it being too tight.

Sleeping bags are also available in a range of togs, so you can find the right one for the climate:

• 2.5 Tog- can be used year-round for temperatures (between 16-20 degrees)
• 1.0 Tog- this is more suitable for summer temperatures (between 21-23 degrees)
• 0.5 Tog- for much warmer temperatures (between 24-27 degrees)

Monitoring temperature

A normal temperature for babies and children is around 36.4 degrees, but this can vary. The ideal room temperature for a newborn is between 16-20 degrees.

Room thermometer

As babies can’t communicate how hot or cold they feel, it’s important to check the room’s temperature as homes can often fluctuate in warmth. A digital room temperature is therefore a helpful tool to monitor this and alert you if you need to heat or cool your home.

Bath thermometer

As well as a room one, a bath thermometer can be a useful purchase, as bathwater temperature can drop quickly in colder months. This can allow you to check your baby is comfortable during bathtime. NHS guidelines suggest dipping your elbow into the bath water to check it’s the same as your body temperature. They also advise you to mix the water to ensure there are no hot patches that could scald your little one.  

Useful equipment

Here are some other useful essentials that you might consider to make your life with a newborn easier.

Humidifier

With the heating blaring during winter, purchasing a humidifier can be beneficial for your baby. It helps to maintain optimal humidity levels, and which lends itself to relieving coughs, congestion and dry throats. This is perfect to help manage cold and flu discomfort, which is often rife in winter.

Moisturiser

A baby safe moisturiser that is gentle and mild on your newborn’s skin is also a winter essential. Their skin can often get dry and irritated in this weather, so applying moisturiser regularly, perhaps after bathtime, is a good way to avoid this.

Hygiene

In the winter months, it’s the season for cold and flu, which can be easily spread. To reduce the chances of your baby catching a nasty illness, regularly clean surfaces and wash your hands. If you’re out of the house, Milton Antibacterial Surface Wipes are the perfect solution to hygiene on on-the-go. They kill 99.9% of germs and can be used on a variety of surfaces, so you can keep your baby safer. The Milton Antibacterial Hand Gel or Hand Sanitiser is perfect if you don’t have access to hand-washing facilities.

Milton have been baby experts since 1916, supporting parents through their journeys. This winter, our hygiene range can keep your baby protected from harmful bacteria. For more baby-related information, browse our range of blogs that provide expert advice you can trust.

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