Winter babies: what you need to make life easier (and warmer)
Unless you are super fertile, you can’t plan to have a winter or a summer baby. You get what you’re given and there are benefits to each. I had an October baby but those first few newborn months are so blurry I was barely aware of the season. It could’ve been raining rainbows and snowing toasters and I probably wouldn’t have noticed.
It can be a bit harder in winter when the days are shorter and the nights longer. You might feel a bit envious of new parents with their sunny days in the park. But there are several ways to make life with a winter baby easier. And more importantly - warmer.
WINTER BABYWEARING
Having a baby strapped to your chest in a sling or baby carrier can feel like wearing a wriggly hot water bottle. This can make things a bit sweaty in the hotter months. But in winter, it’s ideal as it keeps you both warm. It can be hard to know what your baby should wear in a carrier though. Wear My Baby have excellent advice on this. They recommend your baby wears indoor clothes, then wrap the coat you’re wearing around them. Just make sure their head and feet are warm enough with a hat and socks or booties.
This is better than the baby wearing a pramsuit or coat under the carrier. If you go indoors you don’t have to immediately take them out of the carrier to remove the outdoor layers. (Good if they’re sleeping.) Also, the puffiness of a pramsuit can affect the positioning of the carrier. The baby should always be in the correct position for their posture and airways.
Sling and baby carrier covers
If your coat isn’t big enough to wrap around there are covers you can buy for slings and carriers. These are also useful if it’s a very rainy winter.
The Bundlebean all-weather waterproof cover fits any sling or carrier. It’s fleece-lined and really easy to put on. It can be used from newborn until 3-4 years old. There’s a removable hood and you can also use it as a footmuff for a buggy, car seat or bike seat.
Some baby carrier brands have their own covers that you can buy. This is the Ergobaby winter cover, which is water-resistant with a fleece lining.
PRAMSUITS
Pramsuits, also known as snowsuits, are probably the worst thing about winter babies. Perhaps the worst thing about babies altogether. Trying to cram those little limbs into narrow sleeves and legs is no fun at all. Especially if those limbs turn rigid at the sight of these bulky, restrictive suits. I’d rather have a go at putting an octopus in a tuxedo.
However, they are very good for keeping a baby warm in the pram. And a tiny baby in a little fleecy pramsuit with animal ears can make it all worthwhile.
An alternative to a pramsuit
There is another option though. Tuppence and Crumble Star Wraps are very popular with mums (and babies) who hate pramsuits.
These can be used from birth and have NO ZIPS OR POPPERS (Hooray!) They are, I suppose, a bit like a dressing gown but without even a cord to worry about.
Tommee Tippee also do something fairly similar with their Traveltime Starsuit baby wrap, although it does have zips. There is an opening at the back for car seat straps. It is 2.5 tog and is fully reversible with a soft cotton and a plush side. The material is OEKO-TEX® 100 certified and there are fold-over cuffs to keep hands warm.
A REALLY WARM, COSY BLANKET
Cosy winter blankets are much nicer than light summer ones. Use them to tuck babies into their prams or bed.
This knitted one by The Little Tailor has a very cosy, plush lining.
Pram liners
To make the pram even cosier, you could get a sheepskin liner. The natural fibres make them very breathable, meaning it’s warm in winter and cool in summer. If you’re using it in a bassinet or carrycot with a baby under 12 months, it’s recommended you cover it with a fitted sheet.
This one is by John Lewis and made from Australian Merino lambskin. It is has holes for a buggy harness.
If you want something slightly cheaper, try the Naturally Sheepskins Store. They do a one which is a 100% Australian lambskin with a black cotton lining and fits in most prams and strollers. It’s safe for use with newborn babies and is machine washable.
PRAM HAND MUFF
Bear with me here. I honestly think this is a good idea and wish I’d known about it when I was pushing a pram all the time. When it’s cold and your hands are gripping the pram handles - they can seize up a bit. So much so that I often had difficulty gripping the front door key enough to let myself in. Perhaps there are medical issues at play here (too scared to Google) but I don’t think I’m alone or these pram hand muffs wouldn’t exist. Sometimes gloves just aren’t enough.
Besides, who wouldn’t want a muff? It sounds very winter Victorian lady about to go ice skating on the Thames.
These John Lewis pram gloves are lined with warm and cosy lambskin and have a showerproof outer fabric.
The Ickle Bubba pram hand muff is a single muff rather than individual gloves so is only suitable for buggies with a handlebar. It has a warm faux fur lining and shower-resistant outer fabric.
Novelfun also do a great value muff with a soft fleece lining and a waterproof outer cover.
2.5 TOG BABY SLEEPING BAG
Baby sleeping bags are great as your baby can’t kick them off so you know they will stay warm all night. They are also really great for night feeds. Your baby stays warm and cosy throughout and won’t feel the now cold sheet when you put them back down. I’m a big fan. Not all bags can be used from birth though so check first. You should also make sure it fits well. The important thing is that your baby’s head can’t pass through the neck hole.
In winter you’ll want to use a 2.5 tog bag. This combined with your baby’s usual sleepsuit or pyjamas should keep them warm at night without overheating. For very cold rooms (ones that regularly drop below 16°C) you can also put them in a long-sleeved bodysuit/vest.
This Mori Clever sleeping bag is one of the more expensive ones but the adjustable length means it can be used from 4kg until your baby is two. Usually, baby sleeping bags come in three sizes - 0-6 months, 6-18 months and 18-36 months.
It is made from organic cotton and bamboo, which is breathable and thermoregulating. There is a double-direction zipper to make nighttime changes easier and a pushchair belt hole so it can be worn in a buggy.
LONG-SLEEVED BODYSUITS
Layering is your friend in winter. A baby should wear one more layer than you (unless you are the Naked Rambler, then add a lot more.) A bodysuit (also called a vest) is useful for adding an extra layer and long sleeves will keep your baby warm in winter.
H&M do wrapover bodysuits which are great as you don’t have to pull them over your baby’s head. (This is especially great when they’ve had a nappy explosion.) The long-sleeved ones come in a range of lovely colours.
BABY CAR SEAT COVER
When your baby is in a car seat they should never be wearing a coat, pramsuit or sleeping bag. Basically nothing padded, puffy or bulky. In order to work properly, the car seat straps must fit up against your child’s body snugly. In winter, place a blanket over the top. But if they keep kicking them off, try a baby car seat cover or footmuff. The Bundlebean sling/carrier (featured above) can also be used as a car seat cover. As it’s waterproof, this is useful if you’re transferring the car seat onto a pram chassis.
Maxi-Cosi do a baby car seat foot muff, which is compatible with their car seats. It is fleece-lined and has a drawstring hood.
Clevamama’s footmuff can adjust to any car seat and is fleece-lined with a wind-resistant and waterproof outer shell with a hood. The anti-slip backing prevents it from sliding down and there are adjustable harness slots.
PRAM SKIS
Okay, okay, you’re probably not going to need these. I’ve never actually seen anyone use them. Although I can testify to the fact that pushing a pram through snow is really, really hard work. You’re probably better off just using a sling on the rare snowy days. Or staying at home in the warmth. That’s the best thing about having a winter baby. No guilt about staying indoors. What do you think? Is there anything else you found very useful with a winter baby?