Winter is coming... (Updated for 2019)
What to put baby in while babywearing in the winter? We don’t want them too cold but it's so important that they dont over heat.
Babywearing in the winter is super lovely, so snuggly you can both keep warm together.
I’ve put together my top 10 things for winter babywearing. But before those, the general rule is each layer of the carrier or sling = a layer of clothing. So account for the sling when getting baby dressed to go out. Your body heat will help keep baby warm. And focus on the bits of baby which are out of the carrier. So head, feet, legs and arms (if baby likes to be arms out).
So how many layers? A little guide, but keep an eye add or take away layers as needed.
Mild days: normal house clothes with a large snuggly cardigan over both of you plus a hat and booties.
Colder days: a babywearing coat or cover over house clothes with booties and a hat
Super cold days (around zero and below) house clothes plus an extra layer (all in one sweatshirt type suit) plus your babywearing coat or cover.
(A note on my selection...I’ve tried to include products which are organic/WAHM/ethically sourced)
What to put baby in while babywearing in the winter? We don’t want them too cold but it's so important that they dont over heat.
Babywearing in the winter is super lovely, so snuggly you can both keep warm together.
I’ve put together my top 10 things for winter babywearing. But before those, the general rule is each layer of the carrier or sling = a layer of clothing. So account for the sling when getting baby dressed to go out. Your body heat will help keep baby warm. And focus on the bits of baby which are out of the carrier. So head, feet, legs and arms (if baby likes to be arms out).
So how many layers? A little guide, but keep an eye add or take away layers as needed.
Mild days: normal house clothes with a large snuggly cardigan over both of you plus a hat and booties.
Colder days: a babywearing coat or cover over house clothes with booties and a hat
Super cold days (around zero and below) house clothes plus an extra layer (all in one sweatshirt type suit) plus your babywearing coat or cover.
(A note on my selection...I’ve tried to include products which are organic/WAHM/ethically sourced)
1. Babywearing Cover
Perfect if you don’t want to buy a whole new babywearing coat. These covers go over the sling (buckle/wrap etc) around underneath babies feet and tie on to the strap of whatever sling you’re using. I love the bundle bean. They have so many cute designs and there are lightweight as well as waterproof options. Love this polar bear design
Bundle bean - £39.99
https://www.bundlebean.com/product/babywearing-fleece-lined-sage-grey-polar-bear/
2. Babywearing Coat
A babywearing coat is a big investment but if you're at the beginning of your babywearing journey (planning more babies??!) Then it's a great purchase. Soooo much easier than trying to use a sling over your coat, this keeps both of you warm and snuggly. I love this one:
https://lovetobenatural.co.uk/mamalila-allweather-softshell-winter-jacket.html
Perfect if you don’t want to buy a whole new babywearing coat. These covers go over the sling (buckle/wrap etc) around underneath babies feet and tie on to the strap of whatever sling you’re using. I love the bundle bean. They have so many cute designs and there are lightweight as well as waterproof options. Love this polar bear design
Bundle bean - £39.99
https://www.bundlebean.com/product/babywearing-fleece-lined-sage-grey-polar-bear/
2. Babywearing Coat
A babywearing coat is a big investment but if you're at the beginning of your babywearing journey (planning more babies??!) Then it's a great purchase. Soooo much easier than trying to use a sling over your coat, this keeps both of you warm and snuggly. I love this one:
https://lovetobenatural.co.uk/mamalila-allweather-softshell-winter-jacket.html
3. Stay on booties
These are wonderful! They are elasticated around the foot and then a cuff over the ankle which has a popper = they can’t fall/get kicked/be pulled off! Hurrah. No cold toes here!
£18 approx
Buy them - from us!
4. Cuffed leggings
Thick jersey cotton leggings are my favourite for babywearing. Not tight and restrictive at all but thick enough to be a good layer in the autumn. I have also found that this style of trousers lasts for ages! Because you can fold the bottom and the top of them they grow with baby! I like having the cuff too so that I can pull them right down and tuck inside her babywearing booties.
https://www.babipur.co.uk/organic-baby-clothes/baby-trousers-dungarees/maxomorra-polar-bear-rib-pants.html
These are wonderful! They are elasticated around the foot and then a cuff over the ankle which has a popper = they can’t fall/get kicked/be pulled off! Hurrah. No cold toes here!
£18 approx
Buy them - from us!
4. Cuffed leggings
Thick jersey cotton leggings are my favourite for babywearing. Not tight and restrictive at all but thick enough to be a good layer in the autumn. I have also found that this style of trousers lasts for ages! Because you can fold the bottom and the top of them they grow with baby! I like having the cuff too so that I can pull them right down and tuck inside her babywearing booties.
https://www.babipur.co.uk/organic-baby-clothes/baby-trousers-dungarees/maxomorra-polar-bear-rib-pants.html
5. Leg warmers
Momoo £7.50
I love these so much. Thick, snuggly and the most wonderful designs. Ideal for using to keep little ankles and calf's warm especially when the sling pulls on the trousers.
Get them - from us!
6. Good hat
I find with babywearing, especially back carrying, I need a hat that will stay on! (Try getting a hat back on when a toddler on your back doesn't want to!)
Here's my favourite:
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/639113940/baby-winter-hat-with-ear-flaps-aviator?ref=shop_home_active_2&frs=1
7. All in one suit (NOT SNOW SUIT)
A snow suit is a no go (see below for more details) but an all in one thin(ish) suits work brilliantly. Think sweatshirt type material. Not bulky at all but an extra thin all over layer. With this footless design you can pair it with booties/shoes without squashing little toes while using the sling.
Here's my pick:
https://www.babipur.co.uk/organic-baby-clothes/playsuits-babygrows/maxomorra-winter-world-one-piece.html
8. Snuggly wrap\nA wrap with a bit of wool or Cashmere in it is a wonderful thing. They give the wrap a real snuggly-ness but because wool is a natural fibre it is breatheable = perfect for staying warm but not sweaty! I love a firespiral too! Such wonderful wraps. (Ask is about their fledgling scheme!)
https://www.firespiralslings.co.uk/online-shop/nights-watch-cyano-charters-moss/
9. Mittens for bigger babies/toddlers
Anna likes to be in the sling with her arms out now most of the time. So a pair of mittens with elasticated wrists are perfect for keeping her hands warm!
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/jr-fleece-mittens-mh100-blue-id_8369964.html
10. A snuggly cardigan.
I love cardigan season! A nice warm cardigan, for you, that's big enough to wrap around you both (while front carrying) is an excellent way of keeping warm and snuggly. So put your baby in the sling and then the cardigan over both of you.
This is lush
https://www.tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/p/Lilac-Girlfriend-Cardigan/135151957-Lilac?searchTerm=:newArrivals&searchProduct=
Ooh...an extra one for you!
Sturdy boots
When it’s wet and slippery - a good pair of boots are a must - for you! I love my snow boots, I have north face boots and they keep my feet warm, dry and slip free.
****NO SNOWSUIT ****
Here’s the thing, snow suits are a no go in the sling. It’s the same as in a car seat. You can’t tighten the sling properly when a baby is in a bulky snow suit. This risks them slumping down inside the suit/sling = bad for airways. They can also overheat in a snow suit and over heating babies can become sleepy/unwell babies. So I recommend thin layers instead. As a wonderful friend and colleague pointed out the other day, snow suits are for playing in the snow.
Happy babywearing!
Momoo £7.50
I love these so much. Thick, snuggly and the most wonderful designs. Ideal for using to keep little ankles and calf's warm especially when the sling pulls on the trousers.
Get them - from us!
6. Good hat
I find with babywearing, especially back carrying, I need a hat that will stay on! (Try getting a hat back on when a toddler on your back doesn't want to!)
Here's my favourite:
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/639113940/baby-winter-hat-with-ear-flaps-aviator?ref=shop_home_active_2&frs=1
7. All in one suit (NOT SNOW SUIT)
A snow suit is a no go (see below for more details) but an all in one thin(ish) suits work brilliantly. Think sweatshirt type material. Not bulky at all but an extra thin all over layer. With this footless design you can pair it with booties/shoes without squashing little toes while using the sling.
Here's my pick:
https://www.babipur.co.uk/organic-baby-clothes/playsuits-babygrows/maxomorra-winter-world-one-piece.html
8. Snuggly wrap\nA wrap with a bit of wool or Cashmere in it is a wonderful thing. They give the wrap a real snuggly-ness but because wool is a natural fibre it is breatheable = perfect for staying warm but not sweaty! I love a firespiral too! Such wonderful wraps. (Ask is about their fledgling scheme!)
https://www.firespiralslings.co.uk/online-shop/nights-watch-cyano-charters-moss/
9. Mittens for bigger babies/toddlers
Anna likes to be in the sling with her arms out now most of the time. So a pair of mittens with elasticated wrists are perfect for keeping her hands warm!
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/jr-fleece-mittens-mh100-blue-id_8369964.html
10. A snuggly cardigan.
I love cardigan season! A nice warm cardigan, for you, that's big enough to wrap around you both (while front carrying) is an excellent way of keeping warm and snuggly. So put your baby in the sling and then the cardigan over both of you.
This is lush
https://www.tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/p/Lilac-Girlfriend-Cardigan/135151957-Lilac?searchTerm=:newArrivals&searchProduct=
Ooh...an extra one for you!
Sturdy boots
When it’s wet and slippery - a good pair of boots are a must - for you! I love my snow boots, I have north face boots and they keep my feet warm, dry and slip free.
****NO SNOWSUIT ****
Here’s the thing, snow suits are a no go in the sling. It’s the same as in a car seat. You can’t tighten the sling properly when a baby is in a bulky snow suit. This risks them slumping down inside the suit/sling = bad for airways. They can also overheat in a snow suit and over heating babies can become sleepy/unwell babies. So I recommend thin layers instead. As a wonderful friend and colleague pointed out the other day, snow suits are for playing in the snow.
Happy babywearing!
RSS Feed