This site has limited support for your browser. We recommend switching to Edge, Chrome, Safari, or Firefox.

Order by 11:45pm Tue & Thu for next delivery (aest)
NewLogo.png__PID:8b3a9184-866d-4ccc-897e-9b7383177660

Use coupon code BUBS10 for 10% off your first order.

Cart 0

Congratulations! Your order qualifies for free shipping You are $175 away from free shipping.
Sorry, looks like we don't have enough of this product.

Pair with
Subtotal Free

View cart
Shipping, taxes, and discount codes are calculated at checkout

Your Cart is Empty

Navigating Bub’s First Winter: What To Expect & The Best Ways To Prepare Bub

Navigating Bub’s First Winter: What To Expect & The Best Ways To Prepare Bub

Your little one’s first winter can feel both magical and overwhelming all at once. From cosy cuddles and warm baths to sniffly noses and sleepless nights, winter often brings a whole new set of experiences for parents and little ones alike.

If you and your little one are getting ready for baby's first winter, here's everything you need to know (from immunity foods to simple ways to boost your baby's immune system) to help bub stay nourished, sniffle-free and comfortable.

Let’s begin!

What To Expect During Bub’s First Winter

Little ones are still building their immune systems, so it's very normal for them to pick up more colds and viruses during the winter. You can expect:

  • Runny or blocked noses

  • Mild coughs

  • Changes in sleep patterns

  • Increased clinginess or fussiness

  • Reduced appetite if bub is unwell

This can be especially common if bub attends daycare, playgroups or spends time around older siblings. And while these winter illnesses are often unavoidable, there are simple things you can do to support bub’s immune health and reduce the spread of germs. 

Here are our 5 best tips!

Tip 1: Consuming Immunity-Boosting Foods

Food plays an important role in supporting growing little bodies and boosting their immune systems. During the winter, focus on offering bub a variety of immunity-boosting foods as part of a balanced diet.

Vitamin C-Rich Foods

Vitamin C helps the production of healthy immune cells that fight infections. Think:

  • Broccoli

  • Tomatoes

  • Berries

  • Spinach

  • Oranges

  • Kiwi fruit

  • Capsicum

  • Mangoes

  • Potatoes

These foods can be served mashed, pureed, added to smoothies, mixed into yoghurt or served alongside finger foods for older bubs.

Omega 3-Rich Foods

Omega-3 fatty acids assist to maintain the proper functioning of immune cells ensuring an effective immune response to infections. Think:

  • Fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, tuna or sardines

  • Ground flaxseeds

  • Chia seeds

  • Ground walnuts

Add ground flaxseeds, chia seeds or ground walnuts to bub’s puree, smoothie, porridge, yoghurt or use them in baked goods. Eat fatty fish as part of a balanced diet.

Zinc-Rich Foods

Zinc is an essential mineral that supports a baby’s immune function. Think:

  • Red meats like lamb or beef

  • Liver

  • Chicken

  • Seafood like salmon, sardines or tuna

  • Milk and yoghurt or dairy alternatives fortified with zinc

  • Legumes like beans, chickpeas or lentils

  • Wholegrains like oats, quinoa, brown rice or wholemeal bread/pasta

  • Tofu 

  • Ground almonds

  • Seeds

Iron-Rich Foods

Iron is essential for growth, brain development and energy. It acts as fuel for immune cells allowing them to function optimally. Think:

  • Red meats like lamb or beef

  • Liver

  • Chicken

  • Seafood like salmon, sardines or tuna

  • Eggs

  • Legumes like beans, chickpeas or lentils*

  • Leafy greens like spinach*

  • Tofu*

  • Iron-fortified cereals*

*Pairing iron-rich plant foods with vitamin C-rich foods can help bub absorb the iron in the plant food more effectively.

Protein-Rich Foods

Proteins are the building blocks of immune cells. Think:

  • Red meats like lamb or beef

  • Chicken

  • Seafood like salmon, sardines or tuna

  • Eggs

  • Milk, cheese and yoghurt

  • Legumes like beans, chickpeas or lentils

  • Ground nuts and seeds

Prebiotic-Rich Foods

Prebiotics are fibre that feeds bub’s good gut bacteria. A happy gut is essential for a robust immune system. Think:

  • Onions

  • Garlic

  • Asparagus

  • Bananas

  • Legumes like beans, chickpeas or lentils

Probiotic-Rich Foods

Probiotics are live bacteria in the gut which are important to build a strong immune system. Think:

  • Yoghurt

  • Sauerkraut

Warm, Comforting and Immune-Boosting Meal Ideas

Let’s bring it all together! Some immune-boosting winter meal ideas include:

  • Vegetable-packed soups made with meats, wholegrains, legumes and bone broth*.

  • Porridge served with yoghurt, berries and topped off with ground flaxseeds, ground nuts or chia seeds.

  • Mini muffins made with egg, cheese and wholemeal flour as well as veggies like broccoli.

  • Pasta bakes and casseroles made with onion, fatty fish or meats, cheese and tomatoes.

*Bone broth is packed with iron, protein and zinc to boost immunity.

Tip 2: Ensuring Bub Gets Enough Sleep

Bub’s immune system works best when they get enough sleep. The recommended hours of sleep per 24 hours including naps are:

  • Infant (0-3 months): 14-17 hours

  • Infant (4-11 months): 12-16 hours

  • Toddler (1-2 years old): 11-14 hours 

  • Preschool (3-5 years old): 10-13 hours

  • School-age (5-13 years): 9-11 hours

Tip 3: Practising Good Hygiene Around Bub

While it's impossible to avoid every winter bug, these small hygiene habits can make a difference:

  1. Wash hands before touching bub, preparing food or after coughing or sneezing.

  2. Clean high-touch surfaces (e.g. toys, highchairs, dummies, door handles).

  3. Ask friends or family to postpone visits if they are feeling unwell.

  4. Maintain a clean and dust-free environment to reduce allergens in the air which can irritate bub’s airways.

  5. Maintaining a cough and sneeze etiquette of coughing into elbows and using tissues.

Tip 4: Managing Stress

For older bubs, stressful situations in the playground or at daycare can weaken their little immune systems. Help little ones manage stress with a sporting activity, relaxation breathing exercises, cuddles and/or walk/play in nature.

Tip 5: The Basics

Fresh air, warm clothing and hydration all play a role in helping bub stay well during the winter. Layering clothing is often the easiest way to keep little ones comfortable, as overheating can happen quickly indoors.

Need A Simple And Easy Way To Squeeze All The Immune-Boosting Foods Into Bub?

Try our puree cube range featuring veggies, fruits, legumes, salmon, liver, beef, lamb, bone broth and chicken. Cooked and ready-to-go for quick and easy meals!

For little ones on-the-go? Try our finger food range bursting with wholegrains and wholesome ingredients including our Salmon Lentil Patties, Chickpea Herby Bites and Quinoa Veggie Bites. Tiny taste bud-approved for nourished and happy little tummies!

Remember that winter doesn’t have to be perfect and that’s okay. Some days may involve extra cuddles, contact naps and simple meals. Bub’s first winter is truly a season of learning, growth and comfort, for both you and bub.

FAQS

Q1. What should I expect during my baby’s first winter?

During your baby’s first winter, it is common for little ones to experience runny or blocked noses, mild coughs, changes in sleep, extra clinginess, fussiness, and reduced appetite when unwell. This is especially common if bub attends daycare, playgroups, or spends time around older siblings.

Q2. How can I boost my baby’s immune system during winter?

You can support your baby’s immune system during winter with immunity-boosting foods, enough sleep, good hygiene, stress management, fresh air, warm clothing, and proper hydration. A balanced diet with vitamin C, omega-3, zinc, iron, protein, prebiotics, and probiotics can help support bub’s immune health.

Q3. What are the best immunity foods for bub in winter?

Some of the best immunity foods for toddlers include vitamin C-rich foods like broccoli, tomatoes, berries, spinach, oranges, kiwi fruit, capsicum, mangoes, and potatoes. You can also include omega-3 foods like salmon, chia seeds, flaxseeds and walnuts, zinc-rich foods like meat, seafood, legumes and wholegrains, plus iron and protein-rich foods.

Q4. What are some easy winter baby food ideas?

Easy winter baby food ideas include vegetable-packed soups with meats, wholegrains, legumes and bone broth, porridge with yoghurt and berries, mini muffins with egg, cheese, wholemeal flour and broccoli, and pasta bakes or casseroles with onion, fatty fish or meats, cheese and tomatoes.

Q5. What toddler winter meals can help support immunity?

Toddler winter meals that support immunity include soups, porridge, casseroles, pasta bakes, veggie muffins, and meals made with salmon, lamb, beef, chicken, legumes, wholegrains, yoghurt, berries, leafy greens, and bone broth. These meals help bring together key nutrients like iron, zinc, protein, omega-3 and vitamin C.

Q6. Why is sleep important for my baby’s immune system?

Sleep helps bub’s immune system function at its best. The article recommends 14–17 hours of sleep for infants aged 0–3 months, 12–16 hours for infants aged 4–11 months, 11–14 hours for toddlers aged 1–2 years, and 10–13 hours for preschoolers aged 3–5 years, including naps.

Q7. How can I reduce the spread of winter germs around my baby?

You can reduce the spread of winter germs by washing hands before touching bub or preparing food, cleaning high-touch surfaces like toys and highchairs, asking unwell visitors to postpone visits, keeping bub’s environment clean and dust-free, and practising good cough and sneeze etiquette.

Q8. What should I feed my baby if their appetite drops during winter?

If bub’s appetite drops during winter, simple nourishing meals can still help. The article suggests easy options like purees, porridge, soups, smoothies, yoghurt, finger foods, and ready-to-go puree cubes with vegetables, fruits, legumes, salmon, liver, beef, lamb, bone broth and chicken.

Q9. How can Nourishing Bubs help with baby’s first winter meals?

Nourishing Bub’s puree cube range includes veggies, fruits, legumes, salmon, liver, beef, lamb, bone broth and chicken, making it easier to add immune-supporting nutrients to bub’s meals. Their finger food range also includes options like Salmon Lentil Patties, Chickpea Herby Bites and Quinoa Veggie Bites for little ones on the go.

References