In many parts of the country"and certainly in my home in Massachusetts"winter means colder weather. If you're a new parent, the idea of being cooped up in your house with your newborn 24/7 because it's cold outside may be enough to drive you crazy. Luckily there's no reason to stay indoors all the time. Avoid crowds but fresh air is good for you and the baby.



Even very young babies can be out in the cold"they just need to be dressed appropriately. Babies need to be dressed warmer than you or I do to stay comfortable, even if you are carrying the baby close to your own body, because they are not moving around. You've probably heard this before, cheap uggs but it's good advice: dress your child in layers. Put thermals on underneath his or her pants and sweater. Then top that off with a waterproof, windproof coat. And cover your baby's head and ears with a hat, Hands and feet are especially susceptible to getting cold. Make sure your child wears gloves and warm, waterproof boots and shoes. As soon as gloves or shoes get wet, change them for a dry pair.



If your child is old enough to play outside in the cold weather, have him or her go inside frequently for breaks to warm up. And make sure children drink fluids"kids can play hard and get dehydrated even when genuine ugg boots it's cold outside.



Babies, just like adults, often get dry skin in the winter because of the cold air outside and the dry, heated air inside. If your baby has dry skin, there are a few things you can do to help it feel and look better. (These tips apply to adults, too.) Bathing dries out the skin, so don't bath your baby too often or for too long, and don't scrub his or her skin. Buy mild soaps that contain either a high fat content or glycerin, which are moisturizing. After a bath, pat your baby dry and apply a moisturizer while the skin is still a little damp. The greasier the lotion, the better it will be at locking in moisture. If the air is particularly dry in your house or your baby's skin is particularly dry, use a humidifier to add moisture to the air.



What are your tips for combating cabin fever in the colder months? How often do you and your baby get outside this time of year? Do you have suggestions for strollers, joggers, or Bjorns?Dr. Victoria McEvoy graduated from Harvard Medical School in 1975 and is currently an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at HMS. She is the Medical Director and Chief of Pediatrics at Mass General West Medical Group. She has practiced pediatrics for almost thirty years. She has been married to Earl for thirty six years and raised four children. She currently enjoys writing, traveling, reading, almost all sports, and spending time with her two grandsons.



Family Health GuideTo take advantage of the latest medical advances, and to deal with the oftenconfusing world of health care, you need information that is clear, accurate, easily understandable, and accessible. The Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide brings you the information you need to keep your and your family healthy and to cope with illness when it does strike. 170 faculty members of Harvard Medical School, physicians who care for patients every day, developed this comprehensive guide.



Do you have a baby? Connect with others with similar health concerns and issues.



Dr. McEvoy I notice at my workplace (public library) that parents are more eager to dress infants warmly than they are to remove the hot clothing when they get bck indoors. Do you have to argue that point with parents sometimes? When I think about it, I feel very sorry for a little one year old in a coat and hat in a 68 degree room. That cannot be healthy to be that overheated.



The other thing that disturbs me about other parents and the dressing of kids is the older children, let say age 8 to 18, who I see outdoors without a coat in 35 degree weather. Apparently for some kids, they do not think it "cool" to dress for winter when it is winter. I concede that there are probably some parents here in virginia who do not buy a winter coat for the child, but I am sure that there is a sweatshirt in the house. These kids are not playing football, they are just walking around and chatting with their friends. it very strange!