Cold Weather Moms

lovesclimbing

Hello ladies, 

This thread is for those of us who live where it gets cooooold in the winter to discuss all things about maternity and having infants and young children in the cold. 

Share where you're from and any tips and tricks you have, what works best for keeping you and your baby warm. 

lovesclimbing

I live in Alaska, so there will be snow and below freezing temps when this baby is born. 

I have a rain cover car seat cover, you know the nursing cover/car seat cover type? It's just thin fabric that goes over the handle and the whole thing. This time, since it'll be colder, I'd like to get the warm kind of cover. The ones that snap over the edges of the seat and are quilted or fuzzy wool and zip open over the face. 

I have a big-on-me down parka that fit me for all of the cold weather part of my last pregnancy. It's big on purpose for layering when not pregnant, but it worked for maternity too. So I wore it through early Aprilish, and my last baby was born in June. I'm hopeful the coat will fit me all through this pregnancy. We'll see! 

I worked on making a couple things for my daughter for last winter that I never finished.   One was a car seat poncho, which is like a large blanket with a hood and sleeves. They're buckled into the seat and then the poncho is put on over their head and lays over the seat. My daughter would not stay tucked in with a blanket, so I thought it would help keep her warm if she had her hands free. But, I didn't finish it. *sigh* I'm also working on a baby wearing cover that I definitely need to finish since I'll have a smaller baby this winter. Last winter with my daughter, we made it work just bundling her up and draping a blanket over, but I want a cover so I can be more hands free. 

purpleteacher82

I live in Iowa, so baby will be born at the tail end of winter for us. (Hopefully! We still sometimes get random April snows.) So the only thing I am really worried about it finding a coat to last me through pregnancy. I don’t think my current one will work. Anyone have any kinda/brands of maternity coats they love? 

bdesterhouse

I live in Nebraska, and we have been getting the majority of our snow in February/ early March. My first is a February baby in addition to me, so i’ll Probably pull out the stuff I used for him. I saved all his baby clothes. So even if we have a girl, she’ll be warm.

mamaoftwomonkeys

We live in CT, and snow is common into April here. For our daughter, somebody gave us something similar to this and we got sooo much use out of it. Because it folds over the hands and feet it kept her super toasty 

https://www.stage.com/p/columbia-tiny-bear-bunting-baby-0-12-mos-/395467/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=pla&utm_campaign=1378383010&utm_term=&utm_adid=267082977041&CAWELAID=120124680004740770&CAGPSPN=pla&CAAGID=52356695982&CATCI=pla-420449057728&catargetid=120124680005625616&cadevice=m

maggiemadeit

I’m in New England, and it does get cold, but mostly just snowy around these parts. We completely lucked out and the year my January baby was born was very mild.

Our best trick for getting outside was to put her in a front carrier and then zip her into my husband’s XL winter coat. I also wore his winter coat while I was pregnant to avoid buying a maternity coat for only a few months of use. 

For keeping baby warm we used a fleecy bear suit, complete with ears and foldover hands and feet. It kept her all enclosed with only her face showing. Then we layered blankets for walks. 

shrub

Canada here and this past winter was freaking cold. I am a teacher and as long as its not below -20°C I'm outside for 25 mins at a time so I'll likely have to invest in a good maternity parka. $$$. I have a really cozy carseat cover from my first as well, depending how late March and early April play out. Its fleece lined, zips right up and is super warm. Not looking forward to trudging through the snow at 8/9 months pregnant.

lucysmom2016

FTM living in Chicago. I feel like I'll be able to wear quite a few of my sweaters and things this winter, and might be able to get away with several of my cardigans if I get maternity tanks or camisoles for underneath. I will obviously need pants/leggings, but the thing I'm dreading to buy most is a maternity coat. As far as what I'll need for baby, I'm definitely following this discussion for advice 

mschanandlerbong1214

3rd time mama in NY. We’re used to winter with newborns (DS1 is a September babe, DS2 is a December babe). March is a crap shoot for weather. Could be frigid, could be mild. 

For those of you who mentioned the big bear suits, just be careful. If they’re too fluffy then they aren’t safe in the car seat. You want thin layers on baby and then add blankets around them once they’re buckled. You want very little between them and the straps, and them and the back of their seat. There are a lot of really great covers that go around the outside of their seat to keep them toasty warm 

shrub

@mschanandlerbong1214 totally agree. They make car seat covers that go all around baby - unsafe.

 Be sure to get a shower cap style car seat cover if you're planning ahead. They're cozy on their own without the bulk around the baby. You can always add a blanket. 

novelblessings

We live in Michigan and the weather is really unpredictable. We can have snow through the end of April sometimes. DD was also a March baby but it only snowed badly once right after she was born. I sewed my own car seat cover last time which I will use again this time. I think I will just need to buy sweaters for myself to get through the cold. Maybe a coat....depends on how snowy it gets this year. 

indigoheightsblog

I’m in New Jersey and in recent years winter seems to extend well into April! We moved into our home March 3rd and had a blizzard that knocked a 25 foot tree through our fence and deck on March 7th...... ironically I’m due on March 6th next year so we’ll be right in the thick of the snow if it’s anything like this past winter! I have no tricks at all but I’m appreciating reading all of the above. 

bdesterhouse

I agree with the coats and car seat. Babies also overheat quicker than we do so baby could get too hot in the bear suit in the vehicle. Our son had one and he used it once to go outside with my dad to pet their horses. Otherwise we put him in long warmer pants and long sleeves socks and a thicker blanket. We kept a thinner blanket in the car so he wouldn’t over heat.

maggiemadeit

Yes, good reminder about the suits. I should have been more specific. We don’t drive much so I don’t think too much about the car seat. We used the bear suit mostly for suiting up for the stroller 

stmgsam3

Our first was a November baby.  We tried to bundle her up with warm layers and thick blankets at first.  Turned out she hated being warm. Didn’t use most of the super warm outfits we were given. We occasionally got stares for not dressing her as warmly as most of the babies around us, but she just got overheated so easily.  Thin long sleeve onesies and pants typically worked best. Figure I’ll just have to wait and see if this baby is anything like their big sister.  Though march is usually the worst weather in Ohio. We joke that the four seasons are almost winter, winter, still winter, and construction.

mamakate1616

I’m in northern Virginia so just following along. Generally rather mild here but we get the occasional icy blast and this year winter dragged on forever. Dd2 was born in Jan and we had several snow storms that year, luckily it was all during maternity leave so we just hunkered down. Those car seat muffs are pretty great though! 

@stmgsam3 we have a lot of jokes about weather too, I saw one the other day that Virginia does too have 4 seasons: December, January, February and Summer 

meggyme

@mamakate1616 I'm in southern coastal Virginia and last winter was weird, so I've definitely been stalking this thread. Hopefully it will be a mild winter so we won't have to worry about it (unlike the never ending winter this last year).

southerngirlinwi

I'm a cold weather FTM who lives in Wisconsin. Usually March is still winter here, so I am going to have to figure out how to bundle myself up (hopefully without buying a new coat) and the LO. Learning a lot by just following along in this thread!

stephfromcanada

Also from Canada and my first was born in June so I've never had to deal with being pregnant or transporting a small baby in the cold. Very grateful for this thread!

KatieJo1205

We live in WI.  I'm not due until the very end of March so I'm not too worried about the baby.  My 1st child was a November baby and we had one of the nice fleece car seat covers that kept her plenty warm.  However I have no idea what I will find for a winter coat this year as I'm already plus sized but with short t-rex arms.  I suspect that finding a maternity coat that fits might be impossible.

laur84ns

I'm also a Canadian mom. It'll almost definitely be chilly (possibly snowy) here at the beginning of March. My DD was a May baby so it was nearly summer by the time she arrived, but I did have to survive a freezing cold winter while largely pregnant. I did cave and bought a winter coat from Thyme Maternity - I was getting too cold in my normal coat (which I couldn't zip) and bulky scarf. 
I will have to look into one of those warm car seat covers ("shower cap" style) for this babe, though! And I plan on keeping a blanket or two in the car to put over baby once he/she is all strapped into the car seat. 

thedaint87

@mamakate1616 Another NoVA mom!  Winter around here is a such a crapshoot. DS is a December baby but it was a mild winter and I think we got one use out of the "bear suit" when it snowed in March. This time I will probably have to get a maternity coat because of recess duty.  We have the shower cap cover that I never used with DS so I might bust that out once baby is born if the weather is still chilly.

3rdtime_charmed

I will need a coat because I live on a farm in Kansas (helllloo windchill!) and I will still have chores to do like collecting eggs and feeding animals. I’m looking at ponchos because I think they will be the most likely to fit and are a little cheaper than the prettier coats. I worry that they won’t be warm enough. Anyone have a favorite brand?

mamaoftwomonkeys

@3rdtime_charmed My husband gave me something similar to this years ago and I love it. I use it alone when it’s not frigid but layer it over fleece when It’s ridiculously cold and it keeps me nice and toasty. Unfortunately it’s still pricey but I use it all the time (even not pregnant) so it’s usefulness lasts

https://www.lochcarron.co.uk/black-watch-modern-lambswool-serape/

3rdtime_charmed

That’s really pretty @mamaoftwomonkeys

meggyme

FYI, Farmer's Almanac is predicting a colder than normal winter.

zionsmama85

Missouri here and i wouldn't be shocked by snow in March, however our springs have been really strange...my son is an April baby and most of the time we are more concerned with tornados and rain/hail. With my 1st pregnancy i wore a lot of dresses/leggings and jeans..so probably will do the same this time around. i am plus sized so a lot of things i have now as far as outerwear will still fit most likely.  When DS was born it was unseasonably warm bringing him home...but March is a whole other animal. i'm probably gonna see how the weather goes and go from there. Hopefully we get a warmer winter like before, but like @meggyme said...that almanac is predicting something else! 

lovesclimbing

I wouldn't be surprised if we have a cold winter. All over the state, Alaska has had a colder summer than normal. More rain too. 

lindseyb918

This is the winter coat I ended up getting on sale for $140 from Pea in the Pod. It's probably one of the nicer things I've bought myself! It feels really heavy and warm (I'm in Minnesota). I actually think I'll bring it to a tailor after this pregnancy to see if they can take it in and make it a regular coat. 

lovesclimbing

Anyone have recommendations for warm winter snow boots in infant/toddler sizes? Preferably inexpensive - less than $40-$50. 

mamakate1616

@lovesclimbing, have you checked Carters? That’s where we got DD’s last year. Plus they always have good sales 

lovesclimbing

No, but I just did, and I'm not super thrilled with their options.   Their one real winter boot-looking option just looks way too stiff in the calf. My daughter is only just learning to walk, and I want something flexible that she can move in, and that won't feel like a cast up her leg while she's trying to play outside. 

Thanks though! 

maggiemadeit

I highly recommend a brand called Bogs Boots. They are kind of pricey, but I just took a look at the sale prices on their website and they have some in the $40-50 range. We found a pair last year at consignment for $20. They are waterproof and insulated, with good tread, and my daughter loved them. They have little holes to pull the boots on by, and they are great for little fingers. 

litzi-2

we used the robeez ones when it was dry: 
https://www.robeez.com/baby-boots/
love them. we have another pair this year for when she's out in the cold but not walking much, stroller, etc. so comfy for her. i otherwise buy her shoes/ boots on nordstrom rack or 6pm. we got some uggs this year for half off. 

mschanandlerbong1214

@lovesclimbing we’ve gotten ours at Target the last couple years. The Cat & Jack ones are awesome! Thick soles with good traction. The calf is soft (even furry on the inside) with Velcro tightening. Seriously can’t say enough good about them. And they’re below your price range

lovesclimbing

I'll have to look into some of these. Boggs don't have a small enough size. She's actually had Robeez before, little booties when she was smaller. I like them, but I'm still just trying to figure out what she needs. She's not walking tons yet, and I'm sure it'll be a bit before she can walk much in the sink. I'd love something like a warmer Robeez booty so she can crawl around and stay warm but not be in big heavy boots. She loves being outside!

I haven't bought much Target clothing, but I'll have to look at them. 

I shop a lot of second hand, so I need to find time do that to hopefully help figure out what I like and what works without breaking the bank. 

Thanks!

femail

Another Wisconsin mom here. It shouldn’t be too bad when this baby is born end of March, but it varies. My birthday is 3/31 and I’ve had a few birthdays with sleet and/or snow, so... 

Baby 1 was born in October and we just did long sleeve, pants, socks and a hat in a car seat + a blanket on top and a cover for the car seat to keep the cold air from hitting her face. I think I’ll get a thinner car seat cover for this babe. 

For me, I’m hoping my knee length north face padded jacket will suffice. Maybe not zipped up. I’m going to find a Sherpa fleece zip up for added warmth vs buying a new jacket. 

mammabearcher

I’m in northern NY (basically Canada) so I’m following this thread too. My first two are summer babies so I’ll definitely need to invest in a maternity coat this time around. I’m trying to decide if I need one of those thick car seat covers or if winter will be on it’s way out by the end of March anyway ....

Kenneylynn3

@mammabearcher I was wondering the same thing. Still get snow and windchill march into April, but was thinking and hoping a warmer blanket would be enough.

mammabearcher

@Kenneylynn3 Yeah, that would probably make more sense. 

mamaoftwomonkeys

@Kenneylynn3 and @mammabearcher My first was a New England baby born in October and I found I didn’t use a car seat cover at all, if it helps. A blanket and hat were plenty warm and easy for car rides, and the blanket was easy to ditch if the car was already toasty.