Keeping winter baby warm outdoors?

MrsTuna08

Ok, so how on Earth are you supposed to take an infant outdoors in winter?  (We're not going to be going for snowy walks, I mean more just leaving the house to get places) Snowsuits are a no-no because they make the carseat unsafe, those bunting/boot covers over carseats are a no-no because they could suffocate the baby and/or void the guarantees of the carseat, be careful with blankets so baby doesn't suffocate, etc.... But make sure baby stays warm because they are too little to control their body temperature.   Aaack!

I live where it can get down to 0 degrees F so keeping baby warm is absolutely necessary when we take her from the car into a building.  All of the articles I've read are pretty much useless about how you should actually take an infant outdoors during the winter, so could I please have a little STM+ help?  What is the safest and most reasonable way to take a small infant outdoors during cold weather?  Sorry if I'm overlooking something simple, but my brain is fried on this one.  Thank you in advance!

kstirton

We have a bundle me for the car seat to go over it for the winter time. Otherwise she'll be dressed super warm.

AnnieRoo13

This made me smile, although I have had similar thoughts. I'm actually hoping on going for lots of walks with LO and I bought him a nice snowsuit for the stroller (not the car seat of course!). My aunt is also making a wool bunting that I will likely put him in when I wear him out on a walk. I'm thinking if I'm wearing him I can likely put him kind of under my coat.

Not sure where you live, but I am in Canada and I have a few fleece suit type things that are much thinner than a snowsuit, but are quite warm and can be worn in the car seat. This is what I'm planning on putting LO in while we're in the car and it seems like this is what most people here do.

We had the worst winter here in 30+ years last year (as did many places) and if it's similar this year (please no!) I'm sure we won't be going out a lot, but I am NOT going to be cooped up indoors all day everyday.

clumsyatheart

Don't worry! Funny story: my mom gave birth to my sister in Scotland in the 70s, and she tells me all sorts of stories about babies left outside in prams without being super bundled up. We're talking bonnets and blankets at the most. When my mom asked a few mothers why they were outside (and some shopkeepers why the hell they were selling thin bonnets in december instead of thick hats), the response was: "to make them hardy." All of those babies were super healthy, so it's okay to not worry too much about super bundling!

Not advising sticking your kid out in the cold all night in a onesie (the ladies above did this for about 15-20 minutes at most in small towns when shopping), but brisk winter walks actually invigorate baby and help them sleep. You don't have to worry about talking her outside, just use common sense and wrap a blanket around her, put hat/mittens on like @lissydee‌ stated, long sleeve sleeper maybe, etc. Being exposed to some cold is good!

jillybean7582

Carseat covers that go over the carseat like the following link are okay. Just unzip once baby is properly placed in car.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00511J6BM?cache=db720a801e5c1f209fa71a61a8f29a42&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70&qid=1409271491&sr=8-12#ref=mp_s_a_1_12

Carseat covers/blankets like the link below are NOT okay as they go between the baby and the carseat.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/179337223/infant-car-seat-wrap


Any after market products that go between baby and seat or on harrness straps that where not provided by carseat manufactuer with the seat void the warrenty because they were not crash test rated with the seat so there is no way to say they are safe or not. Only use infant inserts, harness covers, etc that came with your seat.

MrsTuna08

Did I sound crazy when I wrote that....?  I think I did.  Reading all the conflicting articles about infant winter wear I was certainly feeling crazy.  Thank you for your simple advice!  I will breathe and feel just fine about taking LO outside without mountains of clothes or wraps.

CrisDee

I agree with what everyone said....tuck blankets around baby. I do have say that DS loved winters walks...this is him passed out after an hour walk in -15C about 0F

NolieBear14

This was totally a question of mine....thanks for asking and all the great advice!

MrsTuna08

@emnob28 I had something very similar on my registry but took it off mid-meltdown.  But, on the in between time I found this on my fav carseat blog and it looks like what you show is ok because it doesn't wrap around the baby: https://carseatblog.com/18971/how-to-keep-your-baby-warm-this-winter/

FWIW I think I'll leave the cover off the registry and just keep the extra flannel swaddle blankets I just registered for instead since they are multi-use.

@danigirl830 I think those are ok. I went to Carter's yesterday and bought one of the girl versions of your second link.  It is just a little fleece suit, not heavy or thick - it could double as an outfit.  The fleece is warm, but you wouldn't be putting on extra fabric so that unsafe buckling becomes an issue.

AnnieRoo13

@KUinCBUS That sled is AMAZING! Where did you get it?

mrsodonnell12

We have something like a bundle me. It doesn't go between baby and carseat so it's considered safe to use with the carseat. we live in Minnesota and neither kid has so far frozen

jillybean7582

@danigirl830‌ general rule of thumb is if you put the baby in the seat, buckle and tighten straps to pass pinch test with it on then take baby out without adjusting the straps and put them back in seat with normal clothes on and the straps still pass the pinch test then it is ok to wear in carseat. If you have to tighten straps at all then it is too bulky.

Most thin fleece items are okay. When they say winter jackets are a no no with carseats it is mainly to prevent use of the big bulky puffy jackets. These will compress with the force of an accident and could potential allow child to slip out of seat even when strapped in and passing pinch test.