Misconceptions about keeping babies warm in winter

Release time : 04/06/2025 09:30:01

As winter approaches, there's one chill that can really hit you hard-it's when your mom thinks you're cold! Many babies end up being wrapped in "little rice paper parcels" by their parents.

After stepping out, they were surrounded by a crowd. Once inside, they couldn't relax their vigilance either; the air conditioning was turned up to 30 degrees.

However, children tend to be overly sensitive to heat and under-sensitive to cold. If they are simply kept warm without proper ventilation, it may lead to issues.

So, how should we correctly dress the baby for winter? Parents, let's learn some knowledge together with the host! Common mistakes in dressing babies during winter include: Mistake 1: "Layer upon layer". When you worry about keeping your baby warm during winter, have you ever habitually wrap them tightly in layers, fearing they might not be sufficiently warm? However, over-heating in winter is not a good thing at all. Wearing too many layers and being too tightly wrapped can not only restrict the baby's movement but also affect their body heat dissipation. This can easily impede the baby's chest expansion and limit breathing. The lack of fresh air can lead to heatstroke, posing a threat of suffocation in no time.

Misconception 2: Judge coldness based on hand temperature. Many parents habitually judge whether their baby is dressed appropriately by feeling the baby's hand temperature. However, relying solely on this method to determine the baby's comfort level can be misleading. If your baby's hands are exposed to the elements for an extended period, they will naturally feel cold even if you have added multiple layers of clothes to the baby. Even if the baby sweats and becomes hot, their hands could still feel chilly.

Misconception 3: Indoor Air Conditioning Temperature Too High. During the winter, some parents and grandparents will set the indoor air conditioner temperature to about 30 degrees Celsius, while the outdoor temperature is often only a few degrees.

With such a huge temperature difference, when the baby enters and exits indoors and outdoors, it is easy to get sick.

Therefore, the host should remind parents that when your baby is well-clothed, it's recommended to set the air conditioning temperature at around 20 degrees Celsius and also make sure to ventilate periodically.

How can you determine if your baby is warm? How do you know if they're wearing enough clothes? Here, the host will tell all the parents, generally speaking, to judge how many layers of clothing your baby needs by touching their forehead, neck, and back. If these areas are dry and warm, it means they're comfortably dressed.

If it's warm and slightly humid, it means the child has sweated, so they need to take off their clothes.

For children in the winter, the onion-style layering method is essential for warmth. Adding clothes is fundamental, but for children in their growth and development phases, when metabolism is high, parents should not simply increase clothing layers or raise indoor temperatures. So, how should a child dress appropriately for the cold winter? The internet's popular onion-style layering method might be worth considering! What is the onion-style layering method? It refers to dressing like an onion, with multiple layers of clothing added one on top of another.

The inner layer is made of breathable materials to allow sweating, the middle layer provides warmth, and the outer layer is waterproof and windproof to deal with changes in weather.

The onion-dressing method allows for sufficient warmth and convenient wear and take off, allowing you to adjust the layers according to your needs. Whether you're in a cold outdoor setting or a warm indoor environment, you can switch between them effortlessly, without any pressure.

How to dress your baby in the upper body: Cotton underwear, knit sweaters, warm vests/waistcoats, and down or cotton jackets (for babies under 1 year old, consider a one-piece down jacket for outdoor activities or indoors when not needed). How to dress your baby in the lower body: Tights, plush leisure pants/cotton pants/down or cotton jackets. Warm tips: When your baby returns from outdoors to indoors, promptly unbutton the thick coat and relax the clothes.

If the baby sweats excessively, it is important to promptly replenish fluids.

Every individual has unique differences, and the level of activity varies. Parents need to find the most suitable clothing method based on their baby's physical condition.

Is it good to wear warm underwear in winter? With the nationwide onset of significant cold spells, many parents are worried that their baby will not be warm enough to prevent catching a cold. They opt to dress their baby in warm underwear for warmth.

However, experts have pointed out that infants are not actually suitable for wearing thermal underwear! Why is this? This is because most thermal underwear on the market is made from a composite sandwich material that effectively prevents the exchange of air inside the garment with the cold outside air, thereby providing good insulation.

However, babies' ability to regulate their body temperature is immature, making them prone to excessive sweating. The breathability of thermal clothing is subpar, and if the sweat drenches the garments, it can easily lead to catching a cold due to exposure.

Additionally, not all thermal underwear fabrics are cotton; they may contain synthetic fibers like polyester, which can generate static electricity when rubbed against human skin or clothing. This can lead to a reduction in skin moisture and increased flaking during the winter when the skin is already dry. Wearing thermal underwear that covers the entire body can exacerbate this itching sensation.

Therefore, during the winter season, it is advisable for parents to select breathable and warm cotton underwear for their baby.

If you must choose a warm underwear, avoid materials with layers and try not to wear it directly against the skin. You can put on a cotton T-shirt inside the underwear instead to prevent friction.

The medical information provided in this text is for reference only.

If you feel unwell, it is recommended to seek medical attention immediately, and the medical diagnosis and treatment will be subject to offline diagnosis.