Cold Weather Babywearing Tips, Because Bonding with Your Baby Is Always in Season

When the weather gets cold, many parents shy away from babywearing. These simple cold weather babywearing tips will keep you and baby warm (but not too warm), because bonding with your baby is always in season.

Babywearing is an incredible thing. Whether using a wrap, a soft-structured carrier, a sling, meh dais, or other style of baby wrap, any one of these options will allow you to travel easily with your little one. Especially with other children in tow.

Babywearing also offers both parents a great opportunity to bond with and comfort their child. Plus, it can provide a hands-free way to get some tasks accomplished. Altogether, babywearing can make a big difference for any parent.

Even so, when the weather gets cold and, dare we say, the snow starts to fly, many parents abandon their babywearing ways in order to beat the chill. But babywearing doesn’t have to be reserved for the warmer months. You can keep both you and baby warm (but not too warm) through the colder seasons with these easy-to-execute babywearing cold weather tips.

How to Dress Your Child

Layering your baby’s clothes, rather than bundling them in thick, fluffy outfits and jackets, is the easiest way to keep them warm while babywearing in cold weather. Thin layers will allow you to strip off a piece of clothing if you or your baby get too hot. Be mindful about keeping your baby warm, but not so warm that they become overheated.

It can be particularly difficult for infants to regulate their own temperatures. So be sure to touch their hands and head periodically. If your child seems very hot or is sweating, it’s time to lose a layer or two.

See also: Babywearing Basics: Everything you need to know about carriers, wraps, and slings

Look for fabrics like breathable cottons, super lightweight wools, or light fleece zips ups or pull overs. When dressing your baby, remember this rule: add one extra layer than you might need yourself.

Start with an organic cotton onesie or undershirt. Layer a lightweight long sleeve shirt, possibly with fold over cuffs, over the onesie or undershirt.  Add extra warmth with a pair of cute leggings layered under a pair of pants. You can also dress your baby in a bunting as a final layer for their body, but stick to lightweight options and try to avoid super plush styles. Finally A cozy knit or fleece hat will keep heat from escaping from their little body.

When babywearing in cold weather with a toddler, older kids may be able to wear a coat if being worn with their arms out. You may also want to add a pair of mittens, as many older kid clothing styles don’t come with fold over cuffs.

In most cases, your carrier or wrap will take the place of a winter jacket or snow suit. So it’s smart to always travel with a warm blanket for car rides.

Babywearing Cold Weather Tips for Parents

While it’s totally possible to use a soft-structured buckle carrier in winter, a wrap style will offer extra versatility for both you and your child. Baby wraps are generally made out of a range of stretchy materials, so you’ll be able to secure your baby without the need to adjust straps or widths over multiple layers of clothing.

The wrap itself will add an extra layer of warmth. A stretchy, warm cotton fabric may be a good choice for younger babies and a thicker, woven wool can keep toddlers warm and snug. Depending on the amount of excess material you get while wrapping, you may even find that you have an extra layer of additional insulation for yourself.

There are extenders available that will turn your regular coat into a babywearing coat. But, you may want to invest in a babywearing cold weather cover. There are jackets, coats, vests and capes specifically designed for the babywearing parent. Some styles are designed for front use only while others may work for a front-and-back-worn carrier. Be sure that whatever you choose, it adapts to your specific carrier or wrap.

See also: How Babywearing Made Me A Superhero

Or, if you’re comfortable with a pair of scissors, you can try your hand at a DIY poncho. Even simpler? Grab a fleece jacket a couple of sizes too large so that it can zip over you and your baby. You could also consider purchasing, or dusting off, your maternity jacket as it should have enough space in the belly area to accommodate your baby.

Safety Tips for Cold Weather Babywearing

Make sure you’re wearing your child properly, so that you have a clear view of your baby’s face. Keep his nose and mouth clear (not blocked by any layers) at all times.

Try to maintain good posture when Babywearing and look for shoes with a good tread to make walking on slippery conditions less of a risk.

New to the world of Babywearing? Brush up on the basics and find the best style for you and your baby with these tips for babywearing any time of year.