In my neck of the woods today we are facing some pretty serious winds! The weather channel actually issued a warning with some gusts up to 60mph. When it gets this windy, sometimes it is just easier to stay inside, especially when you have little ones. Have you ever noticed how the wind will take a baby’s breath away? Some people think it’s an old wives tale, but from personal experience, I’ve seen it happen. My son would gasp for breath whenever it was windy when he was an infant. I’d take him out to the mailbox to get our mail and if I didn’t cover his face, he would open his mouth wide trying to take a breath. Then he would cry, of course, because he didn’t like it.
Think about how it feels when take that first plunge on a roller coaster and the wind is pushing back your cheeks. It’s hard to breath, isn’t it? That’s how it feels for an infant on a windy day because they are much smaller and their lungs are not as strong as an adults. They also do not know how to tuck their head down in the wind like an adult would.
What always worked for me was to bring a fleece blanket and throw the whole thing over his head when we would walk a short distance outside on a windy day, like if we were running into the store or going to the mailbox. You’d think a baby would hate that, but I think he knew the alternative and enjoyed the warm, wind-free environment underneath the blanket. Plus, I was holding him and telling him it was okay while we walked.
So the moral of the story is: cover your infant’s face on a windy day and your baby will be much happier!
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