How to keep babies warm in cold weather and other winter tips

"Babies and young children under five are more at risk in cold weather. While outside, the NHS advises that babies and children should wear several layers of clothes to keep warm, including a hat and mittens to stop heat loss. In the car, for safety reasons, you should keep thick jumpers and coats to a minimum, so there is not too much padding between your child and the car seat straps."

"NHS guidance says babies do not need hot rooms at night - a room temperature of between 16-20C (61-68F) is ideal. Overheating is one of the potential causes of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). A sleepsuit and either a sleeping bag or a sheet and/or blanket should be fine. If you're using a sleeping bag and feel like your baby is cold, you should add an extra layer of clothing - but not extra blankets."

"When it is cold outside, people tend to spend more time indoors, where it can be easier to catch an infection. For example, coughs and sneezes in an enclosed space with little or no ventilation (windows closed, doors shut) can quickly spread illnesses from person to person. Opening windows where possible and practising good hygiene - using and then binning a tissue for coughs and sneezes and washing your hands - can help prevent this."

Babies and young children under five face higher risk in cold weather and should wear several layers outdoors, including a hat and mittens, to reduce heat loss. Minimise thick jumpers or coats in car seats to avoid excess padding; place a blanket over a child once strapped in and remove extra layers indoors. Maintain bedroom temperatures between 16–20C (61–68F) to avoid overheating, use a sleepsuit with a sleeping bag or lightweight sheets, and avoid thick, fleecy or padded blankets. Winter brings higher circulation of flu, norovirus and Covid; improve ventilation, practise good hygiene and consider eligible booster vaccinations.

Read at www.bbc.com