2/4/16

5 Tips To Keep Your Baby or Toddler Warm and Safe This Winter

GUEST POST by Kate Trout
With winter storms blanketing half of the country over the past few weeks, as a parent, it’s always a good idea to follow some simple steps to make sure your baby or toddler is staying warm and safe.

While you or I are able to quickly realize when we are cold, children are less likely to recognize when their body heat is dropping, which can happen faster due to their smaller size.

As a mom of two young kids, I’ve developed a few common sense tips to ensure that my little ones are staying warm and safe in these frigid temperatures.

Here are a few of my favorites.

Tip #1: Dress In Layers

My favorite, most common sense tip is to dress your little one in layers! A good rule of thumb is to dress your child in one extra layer more than you are wearing yourself.

Of course, an extra layer of clothing will keep them warmer from the cold temperatures, and it’s also a good idea to ensure that their neck, head, and hands are all covered.

It’s easy to overlook their neck, especially if their hat does not go down far enough to protect it! For my youngest, I will usually wrap him up in a swaddle blanket to keep him warm and snuggly inside.


Tip #2: Check In On Their Warmth

Chances are, if your little one is outside playing and having fun, they’re not going to want to come inside, regardless of how cold they are.

And this is where you come into play!

No matter how warm your kiddo tells you they feel, it’s always a smart move to constantly check on them, to feel the back of their neck and belly, to actually feel if they are getting too cold.

If they are too wet or cold, bring them inside and dry them off, and get them into a warm change of clothes.

Tip #3: Use A Humidifier

I have two humidifiers in my house, and I must say, they work extremely well for us.

When it gets cold outside, you’ll notice that the humidity and moisture inside your home start to drop. This lack of moisture can lead to allergies, chapped skin, and can even cause cold and flu symptoms!

A good humidifier will help to restore the proper balance of moisture in the room, helping to eliminate bacteria and germs, and also making the air in your house feel fresher.


Tip #4: Make Sure They Stay Hydrated

Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean your kiddos don’t need to stay hydrated!

Of course, it may be more difficult to get them to drink a cold glass of water when the temperatures are low, so try offering them some warmer drinks or even cups of soup.

In my house, a warm glass of milk or a cup of chicken soup is usually a crowd-pleaser, and I can rest easier knowing they’re staying hydrated throughout the day.

Tip #5: Check for Frostbite

I’ve saved my biggest worry and anxiety for last!

When my kids are running outside in the cold and rolling around in the snow, I am constantly on the lookout for frostbite. You should look for gray, blistered, or pale skin anywhere on their fingers, toes, nose, or ears.

If you think your child has frostbite, get them inside the house immediately and put them in warm (not hot) water. If you are still very worried, be sure to call your pediatrician.

Winter can be a tough time if you have little kids.

On the one hand, they love to be outside playing and having fun.

But on the other, it’s our jobs as parents to keep them safe and warm!

Kate Trout is the author behind Maternity Glow, A New Mom's Guide to Figuring it All Out. She's a coffee addict, wine drinker, and cheese lover. Oh, and she's also Mom to the two cutest little kids.

2/1/16

Giveaway! Champagne and Teddy Bear Gift Basket #HugsAndKisses

Welcome to the Hugs and Kisses
Giveaway Hop

February 2-16, 2016

Visit all of the participating bloggers listed below
and enter to win sweet prizes on each blog!

I'm giving away the
from GourmetGiftBaskets.com
ARV $89.99

Your sweetheart will swoon over this amazing gift basket!

It includes an adorable plush teddy bear, delicious bubbly champagne,
and lots of mouthwatering gourmet chocolates including:
Lindt Truffles,
Mocha Wine Wafers by Sacramento Cookie Company,
Raspberry filled Dark Chocolate Bar by Ghiradelli,
Chocolate Covered Cherries by Annalie's Chocolates,
Chocolate Wafer Petites by Dolcetto,
and Dark Chocolate Smothered Pretzel by Asher's.

Visit GourmetGiftBaskets.com
for Valentine's Day gift baskets
or any occasion!

Follow Gourmet Gift Baskets
on Facebook ~~~ on Twitter
on Pinterest ~~~ on Instagram

Enter to win the Champagne and Teddy Bear Gift Basket!
To enter, just fill in the giveaway form below. Giveaway is open to US residents, ages 21 and up. Giveaway ends on 2/16/2016. Good luck!

Enter my other giveaways HERE.
Follow me on Facebook HERE.

Giveaway! $25 Applebee's Gift Card

Welcome to the
Love is in the Air Giveaway Hop

February 2-16, 2-16

I've teamed up with a fantastic group of bloggers to share some awesome giveaways with all our readers. Be sure to hop around to the all of the participating blogs listed below and enter some fabulous giveaways, each worth a minimum of $25!

I'm giving away a
$25 Applebees Gift Card
To enter, just fill in the giveaway form below.
Open to US residents, ages 18 and up.
Giveaway ends on 2/16/2016.
Good luck!

Enter my other giveaways HERE.
Follow me on Facebook HERE.

1/31/16

Giveaway! Winner's Choice of Teach My Deluxe Learning Kit

Welcome to the
We Love Giveaways
Giveaway Hop

Hosted by

February 1-15, 2016

Spread the love with a giveaway hop!
Each blogger listed below is offering a fabulous giveaway,
so be sure to hop to each blog and enter to win!

I'm giving away
Winner's Choice a
Teach My Deluxe Learning Kit!
Choose from
Teach My Baby
Teach My Toddler
Teach My Preschooler
ARV $29.99

The "Teach My" kits are fabulous learning materials for early education. They are designed so that parents can spend quality time with their baby, toddler, and preschool, in a way that helps to set them up for success. I've personally reviewed the Teach My Preschooler kit (read my review HERE) and, as an early childhood educator, I highly recommend Teach My kits!
Did you know that Teach My kits are now available at Target? There are 650 lucky Target stores across the United States that are featuring Teach My Baby, Teach My Toddler, and Teach My Preschooler Deluxe Kits! 
Photo credit Christy Cook
You can find Teach My deluxe kits in the children's section of these Target stores. This Target was already sold out of the Teach My Preschooler kit, so don't wait! Get to your local Target and grab these wonderful learning materials for your young child.
Photo credit Christy Cook
on Facebook ~~~ on Twitter
on Pinterest ~~~ on Instagram

Win your choice of a Teach My Deluxe Kit!
To enter, just fill in the giveaway form below. Giveaway is open to US residents, ages 18 and up. Giveaway ends on 2/15/2016. Good luck!

Enter my other giveaways HERE.
Follow me on Facebook HERE.