Are you in your last months of pregnancy? Are you due in autumn? You might be worried about this season full of contrasts. Temperatures gradually drop and rains arrive. Still, many times we will find sunny days and pleasant temperatures. And you might wonder... How should I care for my newborn baby in autumn? How do I protect them from the cold?
Don't worry, because we bring you a series of tips that will make autumn perfect for you and your baby. :)
1. Avoid sudden changes in temperature
Sharp temperature contrasts are very common, especially in late September and October. To protect your little one, try to bundle them up when necessary, but don't overdo it. If you're going for a walk, try to do it in the early afternoon and return before sunset so that the change isn't as noticeable and your baby is less likely to catch a cold.
2. Establish a routine
As you know, in autumn it gets dark much earlier, which is why it's important to accustom your newborn to a different schedule than the one you've been following in summer. Daytime naps should be shorter, and if they're older and don't need them:
- A bath before bed and dinner will help them relax and fall asleep more easily.
- Playing with them before bed will help them release all their accumulated energy and sleep better.
Sleeping early is important so your little one can rest all night and you can also get your rest.
3. Proper nutrition
To avoid possible colds, it is essential to strengthen the newborn's defenses. If your baby has just been born or is due in autumn, remember that breast milk is not only the best food for the child, but also improves their defenses and shortens the duration of most infections and colds.
Otherwise, if your child is already old enough to eat foods other than milk, it's time for them to start trying new flavors. Autumn is ideal for taking advantage of typical seasonal products such as pumpkin, oranges, tangerines, zucchini... and fruits and vegetables in general with Vitamin C are very good for combating autumn viruses.
Always take your pediatrician's advice into account when introducing foods, as if you are still exclusively breastfeeding, you should gradually introduce complementary feeding.
4. Monitor their skin health
In autumn, we often make the typical mistake of thinking that a newborn's skin doesn't need as much care or hydration as in summer. But in this season, other additional climatic factors such as wind and sometimes cold join the sun. As a result, their delicate skin tends to dry out, and outbreaks of atopic dermatitis are very common.
To prevent this atopy, it is essential to have specific moisturizing creams for their skin and also to always use 100% organic cotton fabrics for both your baby's clothes and bedding.
Organic cotton is considered one of the best fabrics in the world. Ecological, natural, and free of toxic substances, it is the best for a newborn's delicate skin, especially for premature babies or babies with atopic dermatitis.
Recommended by dermatologists and pediatricians.
The delicate skin of a newborn baby is a concern for all parents, which is why at Petite Marmotte we have designed a wide range of textiles for your baby, all made with GOTS certified organic cotton and without labels that could cause chafing.
4. Promote good rest
Promoting rest for a newborn baby is very important not only in autumn but throughout the year. However, most tend to uncover themselves frequently during the night, and you can't be constantly awake to cover them.
In addition to maintaining a good room temperature, it's important to put them to bed with enough clothing so they don't get cold, but not too bundled up either.
Furthermore, for this season, a sleeping bag can be very useful, specially designed so that the baby doesn't uncover themselves, feel cold, or wake up, thus ensuring their rest and yours. In addition, being made of 100% organic cotton, it is ideal for regulating their body temperature, preventing sweating, and respecting their delicate skin.
5. Stimulate their sociability and senses
Finally, don't forget that in cold weather we go out much less and your baby has fewer opportunities to socialize. Therefore, in addition to taking them to the park, frequently visit grandparents or aunts and uncles, invite friends with babies over to your house... Being in contact with different people will help them lay a good foundation for their future sociability.
On the other hand, it is also necessary to stimulate their senses. Take advantage of moments when they are relaxed to do so. If you notice they are getting tired, stop the activity.
During walks, point out the different colors of the trees, let them touch the leaves on the ground and the grass, imitate the sounds some animals make...
And in your home, choose toys appropriate for their developmental stage, take advantage of diaper changes to tickle them, sing to them while you dress them, let them touch their pureed food when they are old enough to eat it...
And enjoy autumn, families!
