On cold exposure

On Cold Exposure (Hardening) in children

Do correlate this article with the one On the importance of warmth:

How can you protect your baby from frequent respiratory infections during their first year of life—and give them a strong foundation for the future?

Primarily, start hardening (cold exposure) after the postpartum period (around six weeks)—by then, your baby has fairly good thermoregulation and some fat/energy reserves. But what does hardening mean in practice? Don't overdress your baby, avoid unnecessary bundling in blankets, and make sure they don't sweat. A sweaty baby gets cold more easily, which lowers immunity and brings on respiratory infections before you even realize it.

A baby under one year of age sweats only when sick or overheated. So if your baby is sweating, it's a sign you've overdressed them. Take your baby out for fresh air as often as possible, keep your home well-ventilated, and let them sleep in a cool room.

🫁 Dry Air

It's also important not to overheat the room your baby spends most of their time in, as this dries out the air. Dry air causes drying of the respiratory mucosa, weakening its natural defense against colds and respiratory infections.

Always keep a bowl of water or a wet cloth on the radiator. Ideally, use an ultrasonic humidifier (not to be confused with aroma diffusers). A good and affordable option is the Hyundai HUM 770.

🚫 Contact with Sick People

Do your best to prevent your baby from coming into contact with people who have a cold or are coughing. Don't allow anyone near the baby if they're unwell or "coming down with something"—even if it's a family member, a grandparent, or your partner's aunt.

Try to avoid sick people in public places as well.

If you yourself get sick, limit contact with your baby as much as possible immediately once you begin to feel unwell.

Ask someone else to take over baby care and bottle/food preparation. If that's not possible and you have to care for your baby yourself, spend only the minimum necessary time in the same room, always wear a mask, and make sure to ventilate the room frequently.

Don't forget to wash your hands thoroughly with soap before handling your baby or preparing anything for them.

Loosely translated from: MUDr. Miroslav Matoušek – First Year of Life