Creating a Cozy and Safe Winter Home for Babies

Cold weather brings unique challenges for your little ones, from the risk of getting sick to having trouble regulating temperature, keeping them satisfied is never an easy task.

Working to make your baby's room winter-proof is challenging when the only feedback you get is crying in the middle of the night or doctor room visits. And how are you supposed to know what temperature should the house be for a newborn?

This article breaks down simple and easy steps any new parent can take to create a cozy and safe winter home for your bundle of joy.

Regularly Change Air Filters

Clean air filters are a must for ensuring the heat enters the entire house. After a while, your air filters get clogged with random debris that floats in the air.

If you don't change your air filters regularly, the system gets clogged, preventing air from flowing as freely as it should. You could be running the temperatures as high as they'll go but still not feel the temperature change much.

This simple maintenance task can make a significant difference in the warmth of your baby's room. Depending on your home size, you could have several filters that need replacing.

Make sure to change your filters every couple of months to keep your home and baby's room warm and cozy throughout the winter. Filterking has a large amount of filter size options that fit any home and even offers customized filters if you need help finding what you're looking for.

Check Individual Room Temperature

Babies are extra sensitive to temperature and need a slightly cooler sleeping environment than adults. If you're wondering how warm a baby room should be, the ideal temperature for a newborn is between 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit.

You can only trust your thermostat if you have separate temperature controls for each room. The device only reads the temperatures where it is located, not the specific temp of your baby room.

For an exact measurement, set up a reliable room thermometer to know how to make bedroom warmer. You may have to mess with the vents around your home to ensure you're getting an even temperature throughout every room.

If you're still having trouble keeping the room heated, consider getting a small room heater. They have safety mechanisms that will shut off if it overheats, and you can put it on a timer if you're trying to figure out how to keep the baby warm at night.

Add Curtains and Window Film

Drafty windows can make it challenging to keep a room warm. Insulating curtains and window film can help create baby-friendly home heating during the cold months when you want to keep the warmth in, especially at night.

Make sure to get fairly thick curtains, like velvet or wool, so they keep out any cold drafts coming in from your windows. Lighter fabrics like silk or lace curtains will only do a little in the way of insulation.

Window film goes around the edges of your window frame and reduces heat loss by around 10-15%. It's relatively cheap, easy to attach, and won't damage your walls.

Additionally, thermal window coverings offer the added benefit of darkening the room, which can help your baby sleep soundly by blocking out the Moonlight or early morning light in the sleep training stage.

Place Bed Away from Windows, Vents, and Heaters

Direct exposure to cold windows can create uncomfortable drafts for your baby. Although the draft itself won't make your baby sick, it leaves it vulnerable to catching a cold.

It's best to position the crib or bassinet away from windows and outside wall areas. These are the most likely places where cold air is seeping into your home.

Similarly, avoid placing the bed near heaters or vents as the dry, hot air can disrupt your baby's sleep and breathing. It can also dry out their skin and make them more irritable.

Striking a balance between not getting close to vents and heaters but far away from drafts is difficult. The easiest way is to stand in different spots in the room to gauge the temperature yourself.

Add Humidifiers

Winter often brings dry air that can lead to skin irritations and respiratory issues. As adults, we can put on lotion and take a number of steps to help ourselves but your baby can't communicate what they need.

That's why it's better to be proactive and purchase an indoor humidifier. A humidifier is a small device that takes water and turns it into vapor and then releases it into the air. There are cool mist humidifiers and warm mist ones, both of which can help to keep your baby's room moist.

Cool mist humidifiers are better for newborn winter care because of the strong heat already being added to the room.

It's possible to get a humidifier with lights and even patterns that can keep a baby entertained before their sleep.

Choose The Right Bedding and Clothing

One of the easiest ways to winter-proof your baby's new room is by changing out the bedding and clothing.

Cotton is the preferred bedding choice because it's lightweight and breathable, so your baby will stay warm without overheating. Consider using blankets that are made from cotton as well. You don't want anything too thick to prevent it from covering the baby's mouth.

As for clothing, layers are always better than a thick piece of clothing. As your baby's internal temperature changes, you can easily add or take away layers throughout the night.

This goes for blankets too. Having a few around the room is helpful if the room is colder than normal.

Set Your Ceiling Fan in Reverse

Many people need to learn that a ceiling fan actually has an option to run in reverse. It's a small button on the side of the motor and looks like an inverted pyramid.

Usually, a ceiling fan pushes air down to try and cool the area. But a ceiling fan in reverse will take the air and push it up, circulating it throughout a room.

This is especially helpful in winter months when all the hot air that rises needs to be pushed down so that your baby can benefit from it.

The goal is to eliminate any pockets of cool air and create a comforting ambiance throughout the room.

Add a Sun Lamp

When people think of winter they think of cloudy skies with little sun. The lack of sun has significant health effects that we don't normally consider.

While humans can take preventative care to counteract these effects, babies are left helpless. However, there is an easy way to introduce more sun to your baby's winter life.

A sun lamp is be a wonderful addition to your baby's room during the dark, cold days of winter. Not only does it provide the psychological and physical benefit of simulating natural sunlight, but it also offers a gentle, ambient heat.

It's important to place the lamp out of reach and to use it only for a limited time during the day to prevent overheating and maintain a consistent sleep schedule.

Add Plants

Plants give off a small amount of oxygen and are an excellent way to add some life and color to a room. They also have the benefit of raising humidity levels, which is helpful in the dry winter months.

Adding indoor plants immediately increases the quality of the air your baby breathes. Not to mention it adds a touch of calming nature to their living space.

Plants like peace lilies, snake plants, and bamboo palms are excellent choices for air purification and humidity control. However, make sure to select indoor plants that are non-toxic to babies and keep them placed in higher areas, out of your child’s curious reach.

Creating a Winter-Friendly Environment

Preparing your home for your baby's arrival and the inevitable cold months doesn't have to be complicated. By following these simple tips, you can make the necessary adjustments that will transform any room into a warm, cozy, and safe haven for your little one. Remember, it's not the grandeur of the changes that matter, it's the assurance that your baby is snug and secure. As you navigate these early months of parenthood, a comfortable and safe home is just one puzzle piece in the larger picture of your baby's welfare and your journey together as a family.

Looking to improve the air quality of your baby's home? Shop Filterking air filters today to get the exact filter size you need, so your baby can live a happier, healthier life.