Posts Tagged ‘cold’
I’ll admit it; I’m a really proud parent and I love showing off my baby whenever I get the opportunity. On the day MicroMe was born, I was meant to go to a barbeque to catch up with old friends. Later that day everyone came to see him, we had 21 visitors to welcome him into the world. He attended his first children’s birthday party when he was 13 days old. It was held in a park and nearly every adult there had cuddles with him before he was whisked away for his first photo shoot with us. I loved showing him off… Actually, 4 years later; I still do.
When MissyMe was born, I left the hospital when she was 36 hours old and I was encouraging visitors to come over immediately. I had just created the cutest thing ever, just as all Mum’s do, so of course I wanted to share that cuteness around. She was mistaken for a doll the first couple of times we had her at the supermarket as she was so tiny and small, (yes, someone actually thought MaxiMe, a 6’ 4” grown man was carrying a doll?!).
Although we live in a warm country with plenty of sunlight hours, I prefer to use the hood on her capsule or ergo carrier along with a sunhat and sunscreen to protect her. My son has always known, you put on sunscreen and a hat and appropriate clothing when you go outside. When we are out for a stroll, I want people to see them as I enjoy the impromptu chats and comments, that being with a young child and baby invite. It is social for me and I truly love sharing the joy and warmth that shared admiration for a baby brings.
I also love talking to my baby and son; pointing out interesting things, so that they get to enjoy all the sights, sounds and smells where ever we may be. Going out is an occasion, it should be a fun, exciting learning experience every time. When MissyMe was 6 weeks old, we took her and MicroMe to Kanangra Walls and Kalang Falls and walked about 7km with them. The following week we took them both to Jenolan Caves, my son is very strong, fit and healthy due to regular exercise. They are both regulars at the local rivers, parks, bmx track & swimming pool, we meet many new people and all make new friends.
It is even more fun to share the world with my baby in her carrier and I did the same with her brother. They are close to you and easy to talk to, plus it’s ideal for pointing out objects and naming them, as well as sneaking a drink of ‘boob juice’on the run. I often get people approaching me to ask about the baby or the carrier and whether I would recommend it, it is a great way to meet new people in town and out in the beautiful Australian Bush.
So even though it seems to be the current ‘in thing’ to have a cover over your baby to protect it all the time; why not share your pride and joy with the rest of the world and let your baby get some fresh air? I am sure that it has contributed to my son and daughter’s outgoing, confident personalities and I have met many lovely people of all ages and social back grounds by showing my babies off and showing them the world they live in.
For Australian readers: A link to the Bureau of Meteorology UV Index. An excellent resource, in conjunction with the Australian Cancer Council; it provides a general reading for your area each day as well as a guideline for recommended sun protection. This is a little brief on how to read the alert.
This is a link to information regarding Vitamin D deficiency and advice about how much sun is enough sun etc on the Australian Cancer Council site. The Risks and Benefits of Sun Exposure Position Statement, (approved by the Australian and New Zealand Bone and Mineral Society, Osteoporosis Australia, the Australasian College of Dermatologists and the Cancer Council Australia).
Even if you are from another country, these are great guidelines for anyone who isn’t confident about being outside without having their baby cloistered. You should be able to find similar resources for your own part of our little globe by doing a search on the UV index or weather forecast for your local region.
The index guide for being sun smart is an excellent resource for anyone who isn’t confident working out when the best times of day are for being out and about yet want their babies and kids to experience the great outdoors. Here is a Positon Statement on Sun protection and infants (0-12 months) from Cancer Council Australia – Endorsed by the Australasian College of Dermatologists.
© 2010 Luisa Foliaki – Proud Mumma of MicroMe & MissyMe
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Too often I see parents rugged up on cold days wearing scarves, hats and boots; yet their baby’s heads are uncovered and their little toes are bare! At the sunny end of the spectrum are the uncovered bundles of joy, whose parents wear sunglasses and a hat themselves.
I‘d like to run up to these parents and carers with a razor and shave their heads and take their hats and sunnies, so they can experience the extremes of temperatures and get a taste of their own medicine. They remember to dress themselves according to weather conditions, why are they so ignorant when considering the needs of their baby?
I think babies should be wearing a hat more often than not; especially when they leave home:
• If it’s sunny or glary; kind of obvious I thought; though observation seems to disprove this theory.
• When it’s a cloudy day; usually this would mean there is likely to be a chill in the air, so at least take a hat with you.
• On a cold windy day; I am not seeing hats, perhaps there are ton of babies getting their hats blown off in gale force winds.
• Inside shopping centres; the air conditioners are cold, babies don’t walk to keep warm, and contend with wind chill on the move
• Bedtime; unless you have a hot room or excess bedding, which could be a SIDS issue in itself, most babies will lose heat while sleeping.*
MissyMe snoozing in her capsule at the bmx track
Babies have a small body mass, (I state the obvious, however some people obviously need it stated), they don’t maintain an even body temperature very well. It is up to their parent’s and carer’s to ensure they are dressed appropriately indoors and outdoors. Baby’s extremities lose heat quickly, so remember to carry something to cover their feet and hands as well.
* Thanks to some lovely informative feedback from schmoo, I have been reminded that babies sleeping with hats on can be a contentious issue as they can over heat and it can be a SIDS risk. May I clarify that we usually sleep in a cool room with fresh air, so I do like to have a hat that covers my baby’s ears otherwise they get cold.
We also have a sound and movement monitor that we check regularly and they now come with temperature monitors as well. Babies can’t regulate their temperature and are apparently at risk of overheating is what the main reason seems to be. It is for that very reason that we generally do use a hat, because as a parent, I can and do moderate my baby’s temperature… So can you, remember common sense and good parenting go hand in hand.
schmoo has provided these links for further reading for anyone who is concerned about whether or not they should have a hat on their baby when sleeping. I will also link to a couple of advice posts about the topic that are already on Minti in the ‘related content’ links below.
Guideline NSW Health: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and safe sleeping for infants (2005)
Sids And Kids – Kids Safe Sleeping
SaveOurSleep – Tizzie Hall (The International Baby Whisperer)
Nationwide Children’s Hospital – SIDS Reduction
Don’t put your baby down to sleep or leave your baby unattended with any hats, bibs or other clothing items that have ties or cords on them. To do so puts your baby at risk of strangulation and/or suffocation.
© 2010 Luisa Foliaki/SassyLu – Proud Mumma of MicroMe & MissyMe
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