Baby’s First Winter: 18 Essential Gear and Tips to Stay Warm

With a newborn around, every season brings new challenges as well as reasons to smile.

As a parent or caregiver, all you want to do is make sure they’re safe and comfortable no matter how harsh the weather is. This is especially true for winters, where temperatures can plunge to sub-freezing levels.

Your preps cannot be simply limited to bundling up the baby in warm clothes. It also means tweaking their routine and winterizing everything from home to the car and beyond.

Follow this guide to make this winter a warm, safe, and stress-free experience for your baby and you.

18 Expert Tips to Protect Baby in Winter

1. Don’t Overbundle

Avoid the temptation to dress your baby in one too many layers, as it can elevate the risk of overheating.

When indoors, the temperature in their nursery should be such that their pajamas or long-sleeved onesies are enough to keep them warm. However, outdoors, dress them in one extra layer than what you would need to keep yourself warm.

It’s always better to dress in multiple layers than one thick, bulky piece of clothing, as each layer traps some air in between. This provides better insulation than a single layer.

A multi-layered outfit for your baby could look something like this: a bottom layer of bodysuit or leggings topped off with sweatpants or jeans and a long-sleeved top with a jacket.

Don’t forget the hat. Your baby’s head should always be covered when stepping out in the cold.

2. Don’t Stay Cooped Up Inside

The thought of stepping out in the cold with a newborn can send most parents into panic mode. However, according to experts, venturing outdoors in the winter is good for both the baby and parents.

For starters, it gives you exposure to fresh air. It also helps babies get used to the colder months.

So, make it a habit to step outdoors, whether it’s a grocery run or a walk in the park.

However, keep the excursions brief and don’t travel long distances, as babies and grown-ups aren’t good at regulating body temperatures.

Related Article: First Time Baby Travel Guide

3. Avoid Outdoors When Extremely Cold

If you’re living in the Arctic or the temperate zone, there will come a time when it’s too cold to take the baby outside. According to experts, that’s typically when the temperature plunges below -15 degrees Fahrenheit.

Consider warming up your car to a comfy temperature before bringing the baby into it. Infants are still developing the ability to regulate body temperature and are prone to hypothermia.

Look out for telltale signs of a baby that is cold, such as pale, blotchy skin that’s cold to the touch or fussy and sluggish behavior.

4. Use a Stroller Cover

When the mercury dips below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s a good time to bring out the stroller cover to protect the baby from windchill.

A winter essential, a stroller cover acts like a weather shield, keeping the cold breeze at bay. When shopping for a cover, make sure you pick one that allows the air to circulate, like our our muslin car seat cover that can be used as stroller cover too. It’s made from pure certified organic cotton muslin, making it lightweight and airy - perfect for protecting your baby from the chill, harsh sunlight, dust, or prying eyes.

This generously sized cover is super versatile. You can also use it as a car seat canopy, nursing blanket, changing table cover, and more.

5. Reduce Bath Time

It’s a good idea to make changes to your baby’s bathtime routine come winter. For starters, don’t bathe them every day if you’re cleaning their face, hands, and diaper area every day.

The winter air already lacks moisture, and bathing them every day can strip a baby’s skin of protective oils. When you do bathe, make sure the water stays in the 100 degrees Fahrenheit range.

Dip your elbow in just to be sure. Also, limit the time they spend in the tub to about five to ten minutes.

6. Moisturize Well

Winter can be tough on your baby’s brand-new skin. So, be sure to moisturize your baby’s skin regularly, especially after a bath, since water dries out the skin.

Opt for a fragrance-free, hypoallergenic formula and be generous with it during application.

7. Dress Crib in Breathable, Hypoallergenic Bedding

We don’t need to tell you how soft and sensitive a baby’s skin is. You would have surely noticed it by now! It takes no time to get irritated and develop rashes when around rough, synthetic textiles.

A bedding made from synthetic fabrics such as polyester may not be the best option for your baby because of all the chemicals, dyes, and bleach that go into manufacturing it. They are also not breathable - an important factor when choosing baby bedding.

Instead, opt for sheets and pillow covers made from soft, hypoallergenic fabrics like our organic cotton crib sheets made from all-natural, undyed fabric.

8. Practice Safe Babywearing

Here’s what’s great about using baby carriers in winter: your body acts as an extra layer of coziness for the baby.

Just be sure to cover their head and feet and keep checking their neck, cheek, or nose if they’re feeling too hot or too cold. Always keep their face visible when you’re wearing your baby in the carrier.

This is especially important with all the coats and jackets you have on. Winter is also when the roads get treacherous, so watch your step. The last thing you want is to slip and fall over with your baby attached to you.

Always trust your gut. If you think the road looks a bit too slippery, ditch the carrier and tuck the baby in the stroller.

9. Practice Good Hygiene to Minimize Flu Risk

As if the cold wasn’t making things tricky enough, winter is also the flu season. You need to be extra careful because your baby’s immune system is still developing.

So, don’t be afraid to crack the whip and tell everyone who handles your baby to wash their hands frequently. Disinfect any surfaces and toys that the baby frequently comes in contact with.

If you notice anyone showing signs of flu, such as sneezing and coughing, keep them away from the baby. Speak to the pediatrician about flu shots if your baby is six months or older.

10. Tackle the Snow

We all get lazy around winter, and shoveling the snow around the driveway and the backyard might figure last on our list of chores. However, icy, snow-packed driveways increase the risk of slipping or falling over.

Make sure you tackle the snow when the baby is napping, or bring them outside in a stroller if it isn’t too cold.

11. Keep The Crib Free of Clutter

In our recent article on safe sleep practices, we discussed the importance of a clutter-free sleeping environment at length.

Simply put, it’s dangerous to let your baby sleep with soft, loose bedding, including blankets, pillows, and plushies, due to the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). The only thing that should be in the crib for a baby under one is a firm mattress with a well-fitted bed sheet.

Dressing them in warm onesies and sleep sacks should keep them cozy through the night if you’ve dialed in a comfy indoor temperature (more on this below).

12. Winterize Your Home

You want to make sure that the indoor condition (think temperature, humidity) is in sync with the baby’s needs. Look out for leaks or gaps that could be sneaking in the cold air from outside. Insulate the windows and doors if you haven’t done that already.

Tweak the controls in the heating devices to maintain a temperature in the range of 68-72 degrees F. This will keep overheight and loss of moisture in check while bringing down the risk of SIDS dramatically.

13. Use a Humidifier

While there isn’t much you can do about the air outdoors, indoor dryness can be kept in check with the help of a humidifier. The heating systems further zap moisture, causing skin dryness, nasal irritation, and chapped lips in a baby.

A humidifier, on the other hand, enhances the moisture content in the air. It also helps in easing congestion and cough by reducing dryness in the baby’s respiratory tract.

Remember to clean the unit thoroughly now and then and change water frequently to keep it safe and healthy.

14. Use Thermal Knit Organic Cotton Blankets

Your newborn’s brand-new skin should only have the softest and gentlest fabrics wrapped around it. It’s a pity the market is chock full of synthetic bedding and blankets made of polyester and harsh dyes.

They might look adorable with bright, colorful prints but might not be the safest option for your baby.

On the other hand, thermal knitted waffle baby blanket is regulating, soft, and free of harsh chemicals. In other words, it’s what your baby needs for the safest and snuggliest naps.

15. Make Your Car Winter-Ready

If you live in a place that receives ample snow, you might want to spend some time winterizing your car before the first snowfall.

Things such as checking your tires for traction, pressure, and tread or switching to snow tires can go a long way in ensuring your family’s safety.

Keep items like ice scrapers, space blankets, and other emergency essentials handy in case you get stuck in a snowstorm.

16. Practice Winter Car Safety

While we’re on the topic of making your car ready for baby’s first winter, here are a few tips to keep in mind every time you step into a vehicle with a baby in tow:

• Start early: When you’re planning to drive with a baby inside the car, and more so if you’re time-bound, you may have to spend time setting up the paraphernalia or tackling a fussy baby. It’s also a good idea to drive slowly because winter roads can be quite treacherous.
  
  
• Remove bulky layers: It’s a good idea to remove the baby’s coat or blanket when you’re setting them up in a car seat. Bulky clothing can get in the way of ensuring a snugly fitted harness.
  
  If you’re worried about the cold, drape a blanket or a jacket over the car seat after you’ve taken care of the harness. Make sure this extra layer is easy to remove in case the baby gets too hot. If that happens, pull over and get rid of the top layer.
  
  
• Keep the head, hands, and legs warm: The AAP recommends using hats, mittens, and booties to keep the baby snug without adding bulk. These items also do not interfere with car seat harnesses.

17. Use Footmuffs on Stroller Rides

Many parents are virtually obsessed with using footmuffs to keep little ones, and for good reason. Also known as stroller buntings, footmuffs act as a little zipped-up blanket to keep your baby extra comfy when out and about in cold weather.

Shop for a footmuff that is compatible with the stroller or pushcar’s harness system and is size-appropriate for the baby.

For example, watch out for signs of overheating, as you would when you have the baby wrapped in any insulating item.

18. Avoid Space Heaters

Avoid setting up a space heater in the nursery. Not only does it make the room a tad too toasty and zap the moisture, but it also poses a fire hazard.

If you absolutely must use it if there is a lack of an alternative, then invest in a high-quality model that adheres to the latest safety standards.

Make sure you keep it inaccessible to the baby and position it away from flammable objects, including curtains and rugs.

Final Thoughts

We hope this guide can help you prepare and ensure your baby’s first winter is a safe and wholesome experience for them as well as you.

Always monitor for signs of overheating or cold. Their shivering faces, hands, and feet feeling cold or looking flushed need immediate attention.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to a pediatrician if you have questions or concerns.