Need help from people with snow/ice/real winter experience...

sawyerthedestroyer · October 2010

Hey all,

I'm usually a lurker, but I'm faced with a dilemma. I'm a native Floridian (I've only seen snow twice in my life and it was minimal at that). An upcoming job change for FI is going to move us to Missouri in the middle of January.

I did a little bit of research and the average high is 44 in January - the HIGH! OMG.

Do I need a snowsuit for LO, who will be about 2 1/2 months by then? What other winter clothes should I be stocking up on? Sorry, but I'm so clueless about real winters and what people, especially babies wear when it's that cold. Tongue Tied

TIA!

BallSox · October 2010

lol, I'd love for an average high of 44 degrees in January.

You have to watch the carseats and the snowsuits. Def. dress in layers, with blankets. I'd get a carseat cover thing too. I'm actually dreading the winter because I'm really bad about not dressing myself appropriately in the winter, let alone dressing a baby, and I'm a native Mid-westerner!

BallSox · October 2010

https://babyclothes.about.com/od/babyclothingbasics/a/CoolWeatherDres.htm

Mama_SAS · October 2010

You will need a snowsuit for any time you plan on spending outside.

However a snowsuit is not recommended in the car seat because the straps will be too loose. I do recommend one of these for over the car seat.

Also I'm laughing a bit because 44? is really warm for January here in NY. January is usually around -4?.

HiggyFan42 · October 2010

I would also love the high to be 44 in January! ?I'm from Michigan and it's definitely colder than that usually. ?:)?

?

I have also heard to avoid snowsuits and to use blankets and such. ?We also got a car seat cover that does not go between the baby and the car seat. ?It just has elastic around the edges and is tight over the edges of the car seat. ?This way the straps are tight against LO and not just some bulky clothing or covers. ?

Mama_SAS · October 2010

I'd also recommend footed pants because their little ankles are exposed easily if their pants ride up or their socks come off, which happens a lot.

Mrs.in.Love · October 2010

I'm in the northeast. We did get a snowsuit type outfit for the baby, but like the PP said, sometimes they can be tricky with the car seats. I also agree you should get one of those car seat covers (Bundle Me). I have a lot of fleece outfits, warm socks, and sweats for the baby. When bringing him outside to the car, if you don't have a snowsuit or Bundle Me than just layer the baby, put on a hat, and put a blanket over the carseat.

Angel5218 · October 2010

I think that 44 degree high is a bit on the high end, it gets very cold in Missouri. I have been told that snow suits for babies that young are not very practical, mostly because you cannot fit them in the car seat with one on. Might I suggest a lot of really warm cloths and one of those car seat covers. This is the one I just ordered https://www.target.com/JJ-Cole-Soho-Urban-Bundle/dp/B000SELUKC/ref=sc_qi_detailbutton

I do have two fleece suits for LO, not as thick as a snow suit but I am still unsure if he will be able to fit into his car seat with them on.

Stock up on blankets, and warm outfits. Chances are your LO will not be outside all that long.

I will tell you that Missouri is known for their ice storms. Both my husband and brother went to basic training there and they left around the end of January and hated it. We are native to Chicago so we are not strangers to the cold. In Feb. DH and I will be moving next door to you in Kansas and are having to stock up on warm cloths too (currently stationed in Louisiana)

I would also stock up on hats and mittens.

amyschleinkofer · October 2010

You only need a snowsuit if LO is going to be hanging out outdoors and not in an infant carrier. Get some onsie t shirts, one piece fuzzy outfits that snap in the crotch and have feet (Carter's brand sells a lot of them), wearable blankets for in the house, and a Bundle Me infant car seat wrapper for the car. A winter hat that covers LO's ears would also be good. In MA no one hangs outside during the winter when it's cold. You go from warm house to warmed up car to store. And 44 isn't that cold.

HiggyFan42 · October 2010

Also, with a high of 44, you probably won't get TOO much snow... at least nothing that lasts a terribly long time.?

JLSmith124 · October 2010

I live in Massachusetts, and we have pretty cold winters.

a 2 month old doesn't need a snowsuit, but they will need one of those one piece footed fleece bundles (sorry I don't know the official name for them lol)

I would also get a few warm hats and warm heavy blankets. A carseat coverup would help too.

plenty of long sleeve onesies, and also heavy fleece sleep and plays

BalancingJane · October 2010

I've lived in Missouri my whole life and, like most Midwest states, the weather is extremely variable. So, that "high" of 44 is an average for the month. Some days it'll be 60. Some days it'll be 15. Winter is a tough time for picking clothes, and it's a good idea to have lots of layers.

My DD is due in November, so our babies are going to be about the same age. I'm stocking up on lots of "normal" baby clothes: onesies, pants, socks, caps, etc. But I'm also getting some warmer sleepwear--the thick swaddle-me wraps. I got a car seat cover that's supposed to help keep in warmth, too. I don't know if I'll get a snow suit because she'll only really be outside during transport.

Mama_SAS · October 2010

Mrs.in.Love:
I'm in the northeast. We did get a snowsuit type outfit for the baby, but like the PP said, sometimes they can be tricky with the car seats. I also agree you should get one of those car seat covers (Bundle Me). I have a lot of fleece outfits, warm socks, and sweats for the baby. When bringing him outside to the car, if you don't have a snowsuit or Bundle Me than just layer the baby, put on a hat, and put a blanket over the carseat.

The BundleMe is not recommended because it goes between the baby and the car seat and can interfere with straps. It also voids the warranty on the car seat. I used one with DS and will use it in the stroller but not on the car seat anymore.

JLSmith124 · October 2010

Mama_SAS:
You will need a snowsuit for any time you plan on spending outside.
However a snowsuit is not recommended in the car seat because the straps will be too loose. I do recommend one of these for over the car seat.

Also I'm laughing a bit because 44? is really warm for January here in NY. January is usually around -4?.

a Red Sox fan in New York?! hehe Do you get ragged on everyday? lol

sawyerthedestroyer · October 2010

Thanks for all the suggestions and links!

I'm a big baby when it comes to cold weather. Florida's tropical climate has spoiled me. Smile

discobush · October 2010

Not baby-related, but make sure you get an ice/snow scraper for your car! I remember moving from LA to Chicago for school eight years ago and forgetting about that -- the first snowstorm had me chipping ice off of my front windshield with a credit card. NOT HAPPY.

darlene'smommy · October 2010

Fleece is warmer then people think. So get some fleece outfits. And a car seat cover. You want a shower cap style that someone linked from amazon. The bundle me is not safe to use unles you cut out the backing (they did just come out with a shower cap style). You can also get a suit to use in the car seat safely and use a cover over the top of it. This sit has a good suit you can use in the car seat over the baby's clothes https://www.babypolargear.com/. We are buying this cover for this baby to go on his car seat. https://www.mysweetdreamsbaby.com/carseatcovers.htm I also plan to make a cover like this to help reduce wind if needed. https://www.mysweetdreamsbaby.com/sproutshell.htm

SAlibrarian · October 2010

I am normally a lurker, but I live in Missouri so thought I'd add my input. 44 is definitely an average. One day we'll be in the 60s and next day in the teens, so expect anything. The Midwest has very extreme seasons. We don't get tons of snow, but we do have freak storms like anywhere else and we do get very nasty ice storms as someone else mentioned. I'm due in January and am planning on using blankets and a car seat cover. I don't want to use a snowsuit because it would be too bulky for a carseat. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions!

HappyMommy28 · October 2010

BallSox:
lol, I'd love for an average high of 44 degrees in January.
You have to watch the carseats and the snowsuits. Def. dress in layers, with blankets. I'd get a carseat cover thing too. I'm actually dreading the winter because I'm really bad about not dressing myself appropriately in the winter, let alone dressing a baby, and I'm a native Mid-westerner!

Haha! I was just thinking that 44 really isn't that cold!

LolliLately · October 2010

Think layers! Even if you ignore the wisdom that a snowsuit is too bulky to safely secure LO in a car seat, are you really going to want to wrestle an infant in and out of one? He!! no! Stock up on warm Sleep N' Plays, a few hats, some blankets and look into a car seat cover. Realistically ask yourself how often you are going to be outside. House to car to destination? Blankets and a cover will do. Daily hikes? Maybe you do want a snowsuit.

hudsaunt1 · October 2010

I wish that my average January temp was 44...some years it might be -44...got to love North Dakota winters!! If it is cold outside, warm up your car, use plenty of layers that can be moved in the car & a car seat cover. Make sure the LO has a winter hat & that the fingers & toes are covered. It you want a snowsuit, the fleece suit is the way to go. That is what I am donig with this little one this time around & that is what I did with DD. But, it looks like I might have to start thinking about moving south for the winter. It is suppose to be an awful winter up here..but so far so good.

ZoeyMarie · October 2010

If you're going to take LO outside to play in the snow at all, yes--you'll need a snow suit, but not so much in the car seat. Lots of layers and blankets and a car seat cover should be fine. However, make sure that you have an emergency kit in the back of your car that has blankets, candles, matches, boots, some candy bars, a battery-powered radio, etc. in it. If you have a second hand/garage sale/ not so cute snow suit, put one in there for LO in case you get stuck somewhere or something like that.

hewinked · October 2010

I'm from Missouri originally, and the high in Janurary is probably more in the 20's-30's. I'm from St. Louis, sometimes it snows a lot, sometimes not. Other parts of the state, different story. For DD, I just dressed her in layers on the days we were out, like running errands or something. Like a long sleeve onesie under a sleeper, or under a long sleeve shirt with pants and socks. I'm sure others mentioned it, but you can't use snow suits in a car seat or even coats. I layered her like I said, then had a car seat cover that fit the outside of her carrier, then a blanket over that. Mittens and gloves also.

KeyRyn320 · October 2010

I'm from Michigan and live in Oklahoma so I have seen the best (and worst) of both worlds. Plus, my LO is due in January. I am going to suggest the car seat covers like everyone else (my nephew had one with a flap that covered his face and it worked perfectly fine.)

Here in Oklahoma in January, we tend to get ice storms so an ice scraper or de-icer will be necessary. Also, if you have the budget, you may want to look into an automatic car starter. We lived by those things in MI and you can find relatively cheap ones anywhere.

cailiejan · October 2010

My favorite winter item would have to be Robeez Booties....google robeez and the website should pop up! But I loved that they were taller so you could tuck in their little pants since I found those to ride up from the ankle. Good luck!

Water_Wedding · October 2010

I'm a South Florida native so I know where you're coming from. A few things, I've yet to see a snow suit in the stores here in NH for an infant younger than 3 months. All the snowsuits I've seen are 3 months and up. Younger than that there's lots of long sleeve fleece outfits wiu footsies. Also everyone loves how plush Bundle Me's are but as others have said only a shower cap style is safe Goethe car seat. Bundle Me released one like that on the 30th. I ordered mine on Amazon. It's listed as JJ Cole Car Seat Cover.

pitterpatter129 · October 2010

I'm an Oklahoman, but we do get some cold weather sometimes. 44 really isn't that cold... I agree with dressing in layers and getting a carseat cover.

We have some unpredictable weather, so some of my suggestions just for your home are to invest in a good ice scraper, keep spray de-icer in your car, keep a bag of salt/de-icer at home for slick sidewalks, and the best trick anyone ever taught me.... keep a one of those cheap plastic tableclothes with the felt stuff on one side in your car. When it starts to ice/snow you can put it on your car windshield and tuck the sides into your windows, then when you leave work, the store, wherever, you just have to pull it off instead of de-icing your entire windshield! The felt side protects your glass and the snow comes off the plastic easily.

Also, with a baby in the house, an alternative source of heat is nice to have. A gas radiator, fireplace, generator, etc. We've needed it two winters in a row now!

PunkyBooster · October 2010

Ha, 44 is warm for January! I have been in FL in January and it gets pretty chilly in those early mornings. I'll bet it will feel similar to you, to be honest.

If we were still in Boston, I'd get one of those JJ Cole Bundle Me things. You don't want a huge snowsuit to go on the baby then strap it in the car seat because it's not the safest that way. You want things that go over the restraints.

ETA- is the bundle me not what goes over the car seat? I will have to figure out what I am thinking of then. What I saw covers the car seat, like a blanket with elastic.

ksnyder06 · October 2010

I also fear the winter with my baby. I live in Alaska and on average in January its -15 to -20 outside.. with on occasion dipping as low as -40 to -50*. Highs usually don't exceed 5*

We got a car seat cover, snowsuit (for anytime spent outside, not while in the car seat), hooded fleece suits, hats, warm blankets, and plenty of footed onesies.

Mjmksb04 · October 2010

Like the others said, get a good car seat cover and buy one a fleece type jacket to go over the baby's clothes (I think Carter's makes some decent ones). Put a blanket around the baby (over the car seat straps of course) and with that and the car seat cover, she will stay warm. You have to consider that you probably won't have her outside for long periods of time so she doesn't need to be that bundled up.

hoping4sticky · October 2010

Paisley4140:
Not baby-related, but make sure you get an ice/snow scraper for your car! I remember moving from LA to Chicago for school eight years ago and forgetting about that -- the first snowstorm had me chipping ice off of my front windshield with a credit card. NOT HAPPY.

Also make sure that your windshield wiper fluid has antifreeze in it. Everything they sell up north has it, but I learned the hard way going from San Diego to Utah, that they do not put antifreeze in all windshield washer fluid.

I was born in FL and and we moved up north - it is going to be a big adjustment for you, but eventually you will go back to FL and die in the heat/humidity.

Penguin81 · October 2010

It may say Texas on my tag but I'm a native Wisconsinite... 44 in January would have been practically balmy when I packed up and left for Texas the air temp was -4 the wind chill was -8 but anyways lol...

Dress baby in layers, I noticed one poster already mentioned snowsuits are a bit of a bear in the car seats (straps have to loosened, baby can get really warm on the ride over), but have one ready if you're going to spend time outside, and extra blankets.

You and the family enjoy your winters!

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