Caring for babies

Those of you who are new parents will agree wholeheartedly that caring for babies is a daunting task in any season. Baby care is a specialized subject which requires 100% commitment from parents. If you have a support system consisting of doting grandparents, adoring aunts, fawning friends, dependable paediatricians and even the neighbour ladies who will drop in to care for the baby, you are one of those lucky people who will breeze through the initial months of baby care.

What next moments

All parents face those moments of uncertainty when the baby just won’t stop crying. You have tried all known remedies. After spending yet another sleepless night nursing your baby, you make a resolve that you are going to be more careful in the future. Truth is no matter how hard the parents try, babies will fall sick. But one can take certain precautions during all seasons of the year to see that the instances of illness are infrequent and discomfort to the baby is minimal.

 

Common Winter Illnesses

Winter does bring some respite from the humid and sultry months, but it also brings its own set of challenges. As the baby’s immune system is still developing, they tend to be vulnerable to common cold and other winter illnesses like flu, viral fever, meningitis, pneumonia and bronchiolitis. Ear infections are very common in winter, and your baby can cry for hours without anyone being the wiser about what is causing your infant the discomfort.

Baby Care in Winter Months

Take these simple measures during winter months:

• Wash your baby’s hands frequently to protect them against cold and flu.
• Do not allow sick people to get close to your baby.
• Avoid crowded places.
• Ensure your baby’s vaccinations are up-to-date.
• Keep your baby hydrated at all times to protect them against infections.
• Stay away from smoke and sprays.
• Maintain good overall hygiene standards at home.
• Keep your baby warm at all times. Buy winter clothes including mittens, socks and leggings made of materials like wool or flannel.
• Most important of all, the most effective to boost your baby’s immune system is to breastfeed them.

 

Disclaimer

The aim of the article is to be informative in a general sort of way. Do consult your doctor for qualified medical instructions about how to care for your baby. Do get your child examined in all cases of illness or discomfort to the child, without exceptions.