How to Keep Your Newborn Clean in Winter Without Catching a Cold
As temperatures drop, many mothers worry about bathing their newborns for fear of catching colds. Pediatricians, however, confirm that bathing is safe and beneficial when done correctly and with simple precautions to protect the baby from cold weather.
With the arrival of winter and falling temperatures, many new mothers become increasingly concerned about maintaining their newborns’ hygiene, especially when it comes to bathing, fearing that it may cause colds. However, doctors emphasize that such concerns are often unnecessary, as long as bathing is done properly and with the right precautions.
Dr. Alaa Abdel Aziz, Consultant of Pediatrics and Neonatology at Zagazig General Hospital, explained that bathing itself does not cause colds in infants. He pointed out that the real cause of illness is exposure to cold air currents after bathing, not the water itself as many mothers believe.
He added that during winter, it is sufficient to bathe a newborn once every three days, which helps maintain cleanliness without exposing the baby to low temperatures. In summer, however, daily bathing or bathing every other day is preferable.
Dr. Abdel Aziz stressed the importance of following simple steps when bathing infants in cold weather, such as using lukewarm water instead of hot water, placing the baby in a designated infant bathtub, and preferably bathing the baby at night in a warm room away from drafts.
He also emphasized drying the baby thoroughly immediately after bathing and dressing them in the same room without moving them to another area, to prevent heat loss, before putting them to sleep.
The pediatric consultant warned that air drafts pose the greatest risk after bathing. He advised mothers to keep windows and doors closed during and after bathing, noting that this rule applies to both infants and older children. He also recommended warming the bathroom beforehand, either by briefly running warm water or ensuring the room temperature is suitable before bringing the baby in.
Dr. Abdel Aziz cautioned against excessively reducing bathing frequency during winter, explaining that doing so may increase the risk of diaper rash and skin infections, in addition to negatively affecting skin health and freshness. He noted that bathing also benefits infants’ movement, as water provides a natural massage for the muscles and helps stimulate healthy physical development.
He concluded by affirming that regular bathing during winter is safe and beneficial for infants when done in a warm environment, avoiding drafts and choosing the appropriate timing. These simple measures, he said, are enough to protect babies from colds and support healthy growth.
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