If you’re wondering what to dress your baby in for winter, don’t worry! We’ve got the answers to all of your questions.
Winter is the perfect time for babies to wear warm clothes without having to deal with bulky jackets or layers. When choosing an outfit for your baby, it’s important to consider their needs—they’re still developing their motor skills and need easy access to their faces and hands.
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Ways to keep your baby warm and safe this winter.
Dress your baby in layers.
“If you are comfortable with a jacket on top of your clothes, you should have your baby in a jacket or snowsuit and a blanket,” says Molly Broder, M.D., a pediatrician at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, New York. Dressing your infant in layers allows you to adjust to her needs. “The bottom layer can be snug, like leggings and a bodysuit. On top of that, you can put another layer of pants and a long sleeve shirt. Finish up with a jacket, hat, mittens, and warm booties to keep hands and feet warm,” says Dr. Broder. Choose breathable fabrics such as cotton and muslin so you can take clothes on and off as needed.
Ditch the coat in the car.
Taking off your baby’s coat in the car may seem counterintuitive. But the problem with that cute puffy coat is if there’s too much material between the baby and the car seat straps, the material could compress during an accident, leaving space for your baby to become unsecured. “Coats are unsafe because you need to loosen the car seat harness in order to accommodate them, but in a crash they can compress, leaving a big gap between the harness and child, upping her chance of injury,” explains Rallie McAllister, M.D., of Lexington, Kentucky, coauthor of The Mommy M.D. Guide to Your Baby’s First Year.
Instead, click your baby into the car seat first, and then layer. “If you’re using a car seat cover, you should buy one that doesn’t come between the baby and the car seat—it should be over the lower part of the baby, like a blanket,” says Dr. Broder. “Alternatively, you can use a blanket or coat (placed on top), and then remove it once the car warms up so the baby doesn’t get overheated.” You can also pre-warm the car to keep your baby cozy.
Bundle up for a jaunt outside.
If the temperature or windchill dips below freezing, or if nonfreezing temperatures are mixed with wind or rain, keep your little one inside except for brief excursions, like to and from the car. If it’s not arctic outdoors, dress him in a winter jacket, a hat that covers his ears, mittens, and a stroller blanket or bunting. “Check your baby often for signs of discomfort. If his face gets red, his skin is warm, and he’s fussy, he’s probably overheated. If he’s fussy and teary-eyed, and his skin is cold to the touch, he’s probably not bundled up enough,” says Dr. McAllister.
Wear your baby for warmth.
Carriers are a great way to use your body heat to provide extra coziness for baby in the cold weather—but then he probably doesn’t need that extra sweater. Even so, “always keep their head and feet covered as that is how they lose heat,” says Dr. Montague. As always when you’re wearing your baby, make sure his face is not pressed against your chest or clothing (especially when you’re donning a winter jacket) to keep his airway free. “And be careful of ice and slipping and falling yourself,” adds Dr. Montague.
Be careful when covering your baby’s stroller.
In an abundance of caution you might want to throw a blanket over your baby’s stroller, or protect it with those old-fashioned plastic covers. But Dr. Montague warns that this could compromise the air flow to your baby inside. “Many strollers have covers especially fitted to that brand to allow appropriate air circulation,” suggests Dr. Broder. “Otherwise, put your baby in a jacket, hat, mittens, and booties, and then tuck her under a blanket to chest level to keep her warm and snuggly in the stroller.” If you can, try to walk against the wind.
Keep the indoor temperature right.
You may be worried about the baby being too cold, but too much indoor heat can also be a problem. “Indoor heating has low humidity, and it’s that lack of moisture in the air that can dry your baby’s delicate skin,” says Dr. Puttgen. “To avoid that, keep your indoor temperature as cool as you can tolerate during the day—anywhere between 68°F and 72°F.” When your little one is sleeping, however, you should set the thermostat lower, to between 65°F and 68°F, which will not only benefit her skin, but can reduce her risk of SIDS, research shows. Dress your baby in a sleeper and sleep sack—a wearable blanket—to keep her warm enough.
Prevent dry skin.
“Cold temperatures, the lack of humidity, and recirculated air can all contribute to dry, itchy, scaly skin,” says Dr. Swanson. Ironically, water can dry out skin, and most babies don’t really need to be washed daily in the winter anyway. Use warm water (not hot) and don’t let your baby soak too long.
Keep the water to about 100°F (stick your elbow in to gauge; it should feel comfortably warm, not hot) and limit time in the tub to 10 minutes, less for a newborn. “When you dry baby off, apply a good moisturizer without a laundry list of chemicals,” says Dr. Montague. “Reapply moisturizer as many times daily as you like.” Dr. Broder says the goopier the better, so consider using ointments, which lock in moisture better than creams. If your baby’s skin turns red or irritated, call the pediatrician.
Watch out for warning signs.
If your baby starts shivering, or his extremities—hands, feet and face—are cold and red, or have turned pale and hard, bring him inside right away. “You shouldn’t rub the cold area to rewarm it, as this could further damage the cold skin,” says Dr. Broder. Instead, use warm washcloths to gently reheat the skin, then put on warm and dry clothes. If he doesn’t improve in a few minutes, call your doctor. Other signs that your infant has gotten too cold and needs medical attention are lethargy, non-responsiveness, and blue lips or face.
What do babies wear on feet in winter?
Babies need to be kept warm in the winter. One way to do this is to put socks on their feet. The socks should be made of wool or some other type of material that keeps babies’ toes warm.
Another option is to put boots on babies’ feet. These boots can have either laces or Velcro straps, depending on how old the baby is and how easy it would be for him or her to take off the boots by themselves. Baby shoes are not recommended because they have no traction, which means that if your baby’s feet got wet, he or she could slip and fall if he or she was walking around outside.
How To Keep Your Baby’s Feet Warm Indoor
Many parents assume that all it takes to protect their baby’s feet in the house is a pair of warm socks that ward off any potential chill. However, podiatrists actually warn that babies and toddlers shouldn’t spend a lot of time in socks. Their tiny feet are soft, pliable and still developing, so it’s essential that infants and toddlers spend a lot of time completely barefoot so their foot muscles are exercised and their feet develop as naturally as possible. Keeping the house at a moderate, comfortable temperate as your child coos, crawls and plays is the best way to ensure their bare feet stay warm.
However, if socks must be worn, both cotton and wool mix socks are good options for foot warmth. Just make extra sure that your baby’s socks aren’t too tight, which could lead to a dangerous foot condition called sock-line hyperpigmentation. Sometimes tumble drying socks can make them shrink, so be sure to check the socks’ tightness even after continuous wear to avoid sock-line hyperpigmentation and also to make sure they’re not halting normal foot development.
When it comes to bedtime, parents often have the inclination to pile on the blankets during cold nights. However, pediatricians warn that doing so can increase the risk of SIDS. Instead, try using a flannel fitted sheet for your baby’s crib or toddler’s bed, making sure the child has enough room to move his or her feet. Then try to regulate the sleeping room temperature somewhere between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit.
As a general rule, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that when dressing a baby for day or night, use one more layer than an adult would use in the same environment to be comfortable. Just don’t forget to check the tightness of footed pajamas if they’re used, because they can also impede normal foot development if they are too small or too tight.
How To Keep Your Baby’s Feet Warm Outdoor
Taking your child into the blistering cold can be quite challenging, all the way from head to toe. But when it comes to keeping an infant or toddler’s feet protected from chilly weather, there are a few key things to keep in mind.
Socks are definitely needed in cold temperatures, with warm, organic materials like wool being the optimum choice. But the same sock rules for indoors apply to the outdoors: Make sure the socks aren’t too tight, which can lead to sock-line hyperpigmentation and affect a small child’s regular foot development. Meanwhile, it can help to keep an extra pair of socks in your bag so you can easily add an extra layer or swap out if your child’s socks become wet.
While shoe use should be avoided as much as possible during the first year of a baby’s life to allow for natural foot development, an exception can be made if you plan to spend a lot of time in cold weather. Baby boots and other types of fall and winter footwear can be worn, as long as mom or dad ensures the shoes are the right size and offer plenty of wiggle room for the child’s toes. Kids feet grow quickly, so most experts advise you check baby and toddler’s foot size every 4 to 6 weeks.
Additionally, waterproof shoes should be given to toddlers who will be walking in wet environments to ensure their feet don’t become saturated, which can lead to a sudden chill, rubbing and blisters, or even frostbite. Make sure the soles are non-slip to help your child avoid falls, trips and spills on wet, slippery ground.
If your toddler complains about cold feet, try to encourage him or her to stomp, wiggle and kick their feet to help increase blood circulation and warmth.
What temp is too cold for baby to sleep?
A normal temperature for your baby is considered a rectal reading — which is the most accurate means of taking baby’s temperature — of between 98 and 100.3 degrees Fahrenheit; a temp of 100.4 degrees F or higher is considered a fever.
When baby’s temperature is out of the normal range, it may be a sign of illness, so it’s best to talk to your pediatrician, especially if other symptoms like a stuffy nose, sore throat or cough persist.
If your baby is under 3 months old, a fever of 100.4 degrees F or higher on a rectal thermometer requires urgent care, and you need to call your pediatrician immediately.
