With Christmas around the corner, the wintery weather has finally arrived and the temperatures have begun to fall. Many parents often ask us what type of headwear should be worn to keep their baby’s head warm whilst out and about and the best ways to keep their baby comfortable. This blog post offers advice and information to help keep baby warm during winter without causing them to overheat.
Wearing winter hats during plagiocephaly treatment. Plagiocephaly helmets are made from a resilient foam liner encased by a lightweight co-polymer shell which provides natural insulation during winter.
When it’s very cold, it’s natural to worry that your baby’s head, and ears, may be at risk from feeling the effects of the colder climate and this could potentially cause them some discomfort. Although plagiocephaly helmets retain some well needed heat on colder days and can often replace a woolly hat, exposed areas such as the ears still need to be covered.
We advise against using a woolly hat that fits tightly over the helmet as this could cause your baby to overheat. If you want to keep your baby warm there are a number of things you can do:
- Buy an extra-large woolly hat that sits loosely over the helmet. If your baby has an older brother or sister, this is a great way to make use of their old hats and prevents your baby feeling too constricted and uncomfortable.
- Another option is to buy an oversized coat with an extra-large hood to provide coverage without restriction. A hood made from a thick material will provide that extra insulation your baby might need in colder weather but can easily be taken down if your baby starts to feel too hot. A slightly bigger coat also gives you some extra time for your baby to grow into it too!
- If it’s just your baby’s ears you’re worried about, a little pair of ear muffs are a great way to protect them from the cold and if you’re outside using the pram, make sure the pram cover is up at all times to protect from any cold winds.
Plagiocephaly helmets indoors during winter. Because it’s cold outside, you may be tempted to bundle up your baby in layers of clothing and blankets so they’re warm and cosy inside too. However, it’s important to remember that the TiMbandAir is a natural insulator so adding too many layers in a heated house can still cause overheating. Check your baby’s skin each time you remove the TiMbandAir, we recommend placing your hand on their back or tummy and their skin should be warm but not sweaty. Think about the TiMbandAir as being one piece of warm clothing, so whatever you would normally put onto your baby, reduce this by one warm item.
It’s especially important to prevent your baby from overheating overnight so they can sleep soundly. Flushed cheeks and rapid breathing are both signs of overheating so if you’re baby feels too hot and is displaying any of these symptoms, simply remove a layer of clothing and their body temperature should start to regulate.
It’s very normal for your baby to sweat during the first few days of wearing their plagiocephaly helmet, whatever the weather is like outside. Sweating is a normal process that we all go through to stabilise our body temperature and at first, you will notice that your baby’s head will be quite wet with sweat. This excess sweating your baby may experience during those first few days is just your baby getting used to the helmet and will settle down within one or two weeks as your baby’s body adjusts.
At the start, your baby’s helmet can get a little smelly during plagiocephaly treatment so it’s important to keep the inside of the helmet clean. Our top tips on how to clean a plagiocephaly helmet offers helpful cleaning methods to reduce odours and itching.
Whether your baby undergoes treatment during the winter months or you’re worried about keeping your baby cool during summer, our team of expert orthotists are always on hand if you have any concerns or questions during treatment. Call us on 0330 100 1800 or contact us online and we’ll do everything we can to make sure you and your baby’s plagiocephaly journey is a stress-free one.
