What to add to your baby’s wardrobe to keep them warm and cozy as the temperature starts to dip.
It may be cold outside, but is there anything cuter than a bundled-up baby? It’s all about striking a balance when you’re shopping for winter baby clothes and essentials for your little one. You don’t want them too cold, but you don’t want to overheat them with too many layers, either. You’ll also want to think about the climate where you live and your lifestyle.
Do you love outdoor winter activities or are you more of a hibernate-til-the-spring family? Will you be walking outside with your baby most days even if it’s cold, or spend more time in the car running errands? This can help you decide what type of outerwear, clothing and accessories you’ll need for those chillier months. Plus, if you’re registering now, it’s a great idea to add this category of baby clothes—here are some tips on registering for baby clothes.
One winter safety tip to keep in mind: winter coats and car seats don’t mix. Coats and other thick layers are bulky, and no matter how much you tighten your car seat straps, you’ll leave behind a few inches of slack—and that means your baby may slide out of their seat in the event of a crash. Instead, dress your baby or toddler in two to four thin layers or use a blanket or car seat cover that fits over (never under) your seat’s straps.
Outerwear and Cozy Layers
Baby outwear can be a little confusing, especially for first-time parents, so keep these basics in mind. It’s always easier to add layers than to remove them. Add a footmuff or heavy blanket to your stroller and you won’t need a super warm coat. (You can move to a warmer coat once your little one starts walking and wants to be out of the stroller more.) And a warm bunting is perfect if you’re babywearing during the winter or if your little one is in a bassinet.
Winter Accessories
Tiny hats and mittens are more than just cute—they’ll help keep your little one warm and comfortable all winter long. Baby pulling off their hat? Try one with a tie bottom or a snap closure.
Footmuffs and Blankets
A stroller footmuff (sometimes called a stroller bunting) is like a warm, cozy sleeping bag for your baby when you’re on the go. Footmuffs feature cutouts in the back and bottom for your stroller’s harness straps. Many also feature adjustable bottoms so you can use them as your baby grows. Some footmuffs are universal, so they’ll fit almost any brand and model of stroller; others are made to fit specific stroller brands.
Cold Weather Swaddles
Sometimes called a wearable blanket, a sleep sack helps to keep your baby warm in their crib without using loose blankets. These sleep sacks are specifically designed for chillier temps. How can you tell? Check their TOG, which stands for Thermal Overall Grade, a term that indicates how much heat the fabric retains.
