Beat the Cold: 3 Ways to Keep a Premature Baby Warm
Getting cold can make babies sick. Learn 3 simple ways to keep a premature baby warm, from kangaroo care and morning sun to soft clothes and swaddling.
New mothers should know that a baby's skin is very thin. There is not much fat under a baby's skin yet, so even a little cold air has a big effect on their body temperature. Getting cold can also make a baby sick. Here are 3 tips for keeping a premature baby warm.
3 Tips to Keep Your Baby Warm
1. Use Kangaroo Care
Kangaroo care is a widely used technique for strengthening the bond between mother and child. It involves holding the baby in a pouch or inside the mother's clothing so the baby can share her warmth. It also helps the baby feel comfortable and relaxed, because the baby can hear the mother's heartbeat and breathing.
You can do this at any time, which makes it one of the easiest ways to warm up your baby. When babies are comfortable and warm, they sleep soundly. For mothers, this method can also boost breast milk production and ease postpartum stress.
2. Give Your Baby Regular Morning Sun
The second way to keep a premature baby warm is to make a habit of giving your baby some morning sun. Morning sunlight warms a baby's body. The vitamin D your baby gets from morning sunlight is also very good for their health, and morning sun can help babies recover from jaundice.
So what time is best for sunning your baby? Around 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. is ideal. Simply hold your baby or lay them somewhere comfortable for about 15 to 30 minutes. Try to do it when the sky is not overcast, because cloudy weather can actually leave your baby feeling cold.
3. Dress Your Baby in Soft Clothes That Cover the Body
The third step to keep your baby warm is to dress them in soft clothing that covers the body. Many mothers wrap their babies in a swaddling cloth, known in Indonesia as a bedong. Swaddling is one way to keep your baby warm, and it also helps protect against mosquito bites.
This simple method is one way to care for a premature baby and keep them from getting cold. It is easy to do. On cold nights in particular, you can give your baby a blanket so they stay warm. Premature babies need warm conditions like those inside their mother's womb.
Those are 3 ways you can keep your baby warm. If you have questions about newborn baby care, you can visit the Mitu Baby Care Blog. The website can help you find a range of tips on caring for your baby.
