Christus Health: The Children's Hospital of San Antonio

When the Weather Outside Is Frightful Keep babies warm and healthy during winter with these tips. 1 Wash often, wash well. "Nothing works better at getting hands clean than a little bit of soap and a lot of running water," says Juan Jose Ferreris, MD, FAAP, pediatrician and medical director of The Children's Hospital of San Antonio Physician Group. "Hands should be scrubbed for roughly 20 seconds under running water. Wash your hands frequently, especially when you might be around someone who's sick." 3 Steps to Staying Well This Winter 2 Avoid others' germs. Whether it's a friend, co-worker, or family member, avoid direct contact with anyone who is sick. Use alcohol-based products to wipe down and clean any regularly handled objects, such as keyboards, doorknobs, remote controls, or phones. Juan Jose Ferreris, MD 3 Get vaccinated. "The influenza vaccine is the safest, most effective way of not getting or spreading the flu," Dr. Ferreris says. "Almost everyone age 6 months and older should be immunized. The more people are vaccinated, the more people are protected from the flu virus. This bubble of protection will surround patients with weak immune systems who cannot get vaccinated." Layers are the best way to keep your baby warm, while avoiding heat rash and chafing. Your infant should be wearing the same number of layers as her parents, plus one additional layer. Avoid a heavy winter coat when putting your child in a car seat, as the puffiness of a thick coat can make harnesses too loose to be considered safe. After you fasten your little one in the car seat, keep him warm with a blanket or jacket over his legs. When it doesn't feel hot outside, we can forget that babies' skin is still exposed to ultraviolet light. Be sure to cover any skin on your infant that's exposed when you go outside. It's easy for babies' skin to dry out in winter from frequent bathing. Use an unscented moisturizer three minutes after bathing to lock moisture in your infant's skin. Blankets and pillows may help keep your child warm, but they also pose a suffocation hazard. Sleepsacks, also known as wearable blankets, can help keep infants warm without the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The Plus 1 Rule On the Road Remember Sunscreen! Bath Time Sleeping Cozy If your child gets sick, a pediatrician at The Children's Hospital of San Antonio Physician Group can help. To find a physician, call 1.844.778.KIDS or visit chofsa.org/findadoc. Flu shots are also available at The Children's Hospital of San Antonio Physician Group locations. Cold weather doesn't have to mean getting sick with a virus that could put your child out of school for a week or more. 11 The Children's Hospital of San Antonio • chofsa.org

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