Boca VIPediatrics: Winter Health Tips

Cold Weather Tips

While much of the country has temperatures at or below freezing, South Florida is seeing chilly weather (for us at least) with temperatures in the 40s-50s.

Since Floridians and our kids are not used to the cold temperatures, here are some cold weather tips to get you through the day, because it will probably be back to 80 degrees in no time.

· Dress infants and children warmly for outdoor activities.

o The rule of thumb for older babies and young children is to dress them in one more layer of clothing than an adult would wear in the same conditions.

· Blankets, quilts, pillows, bumpers, sheepskins and other loose bedding should be kept out of an infant's sleeping environment because they are associated with suffocation deaths and may contribute to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Sleep clothing like one-piece sleepers or wearable blankets is preferred.

Winter Health

If your child suffers from winter nosebleeds, try using a cold air humidifier in the child's room at night. Saline nose drops or a petrolatum based ointment may help keep nasal tissues moist. If bleeding is severe or recurrent, consult your pediatrician.
For infants: bathing two or three times a week is enough for an infant’s first several months after being born. More frequent baths may dry out the skin, especially during the winter. More about newborn bathing from All Things Pediatric.
Cold weather does not cause colds or flu. But the viruses that cause colds and flu tend to be more common in the winter, when children are in school and are in closer contact with each other. Frequent hand washing and teaching your child to sneeze or cough into the bend of her elbow may help reduce the spread of colds and flu.

Read about common winter viruses such as RSV and the Flu (influenza).
Children 6 months of age and up should get the influenza vaccine to reduce their risk of catching the flu.

Your grandmother was right!
o Chicken soup can help to make you feel better! Not only does it provide fluids if your you or your child is feeling sick, but the warmth, salt, and other properties of the soups ingredients may help to open congested noses and soothe a sore throat.