Winter Baby Essentials

dmontgo · June 2016

I wasn't sure if this would go in a preexisting thread, but as I was reading my pregnancy book, it mentioned being prepared with appropriate clothes and items if baby is born in the winter time.

Which got me to thinking: What exactly do babies need in the winter? I know it probably seems super obvious, but although I know babies need more layers than adults, I'm not sure what that entails. Do you need shoes for them, or just socks? Long sleeve onesie + a jacket? Hats and mittens...

So what items would you recommend for winter babies? Doesn't necessarily have to be clothing--any suggestions welcome!

slartybartfast · June 2016

Honestly for as young as our babies will be this winter, I don't foresee spending much time outside. However, there are car seat and stroller fleece sacks that are useful... And then carriers that can fit under your coat. So maybe just a big coat for you

DiFazette · June 2016

Depends on what you'd do outdoors. Layers are good. Aquaphor for chapped skin. They have the heavy baby bunting things but they are unsafe in the car, so I don't know where people use them. You can get sacks for your car seat - I think they're silly because you don't want your kid warming up too much while riding in the car. Unless you have a really long trip to the car, it seems like overkill to me. Heavy socks for their feet. I will have my babies in zipper sleep and plays primarily for the first 6 months (or until the weather warms up). Fleece sleep and plays are a good option and make life easy.

dmontgo · June 2016

Thank you for the suggestions! I'm not sure that we'd be spending a ton of time outside, but I'm just asking for in general because I'm not around babies...ever.

I have a humidifier, Aquaphor, socks, mittens, and hats on my registry so far, and short-sleeved onesies. Are long-sleeved onesies necessary if you're doing layers? Will be putting the sleep and plays on there. How heavy of a coat?

DiFazette · June 2016

@dmontgo - yes to the long sleeve onesies. I actually don't know about infant coats. DS was born in the spring. Come to think of it, all I've ever seen is the full body buntings.

jennbaylor12 · June 2016

I think a lot of it depends on part of the country you are in too. I'm in South Texas so what I'm going to need is going to be very different than someone who's in, let's say upstate New York. Down here December when we're due is actually quite warmer than February so, luckily, the baby will be a little older by then. I used a lot of long sleeve onesies and just love them. DS wore them through the entire spring and into the early summer bc as soon as it starts to get warm people crank down the air so much that it's too cold inside for babies. I also prefer to put on one long sleeve onesie rather than layers and DS did great with that. On that note, vehicles are also usually much more temperature appropriate than any where you're going so I don't let your up to get into the car either. A lot of things are not safe in a car seat and once you get a babe buckled in, you can easily toss a blanket over them if need be.

dmontgo · June 2016

@jennbaylor12 You're right! I live in the southern part of North Carolina, but winters are never consistent. A few have been very mild, and then others are very cold, with snow. Last winter was pretty cold, and stayed colder for longer.

Have taken a note about the long-sleeved onesies! What about pants or bottoms? I apologize if my questions seem like "DUH," but I'm learning lol.

R0824H · June 2016

I love that you've asked this @dmontgo I've been a little curious about items that would be needed as well!! I'm hoping to walk a fair bit this winter as long as we have a mild one (heck no to the -30s and -40s!!)

sourlemon · June 2016

Move to Arizona and this isn't a huge concern.

Actually it does freeze here a few times during the winter. My plan is for leaving the house if it's cold is a fleece sleeper then blanket over them in the car seat. But we probably won't be going out a ton until Feb.

I also have hats, socks, pants with feet, and long sleeve onesies. Aquaphor is amazing for almost everything! I never had luck with mittens beyond the first week but I have friends who kept them on their kids for months! My kid figured out how to get them off immediately so I gave up. I might buy or make 1 pair of fleece ones.

dmontgo · June 2016

@R0824H Being in Canada, your winters are insane compared to mine! I am a December baby, but I was born overseas on an island, so it was warm/hot all year round. So suddenly it's like oh snap, I have no idea what babies need in winter situations lol.

cgss11 · June 2016

I've been thinking about this too, but mostly because I want to buy a special coming home outfit. I'm also in AZ, so pretty mild. Although I'm wimpy and forget what cold actually feels like, so I sure bundle up lol. I'm figuring long sleeves, pants, socks, hat, and a blanket in case.

I plan on DIY'ing a nursing poncho, which can double as a carrier cover, but I don't see myself using it like that much.

DiFazette · June 2016

@cgss11 - yes -to your assumption on coming home outfit. Babies need to stay warm for a while after birth regardless of your climate.

@dmontgo - I did a lot of long sleeve onesies and coordinating soft pants when we were just chilling at home as DS got bigger. Lots of these are sold as sets with jackets, pants and matching onesie. Not many actual 'pants' except for a few special occasion things - a pair of khakis, jeans, cords maybe. I've got. A pretty strong 'no real pants rule' when I'm lounging so I guess that translates to my babies.

jennbaylor12 · June 2016

dmontgo said:

@jennbaylor12 You're right! I live in the southern part of North Carolina, but winters are never consistent. A few have been very mild, and then others are very cold, with snow. Last winter was pretty cold, and stayed colder for longer.

Have taken a note about the long-sleeved onesies! What about pants or bottoms? I apologize if my questions seem like "DUH," but I'm learning lol.

My parents are in NC, I totally know what you mean!!

So for pants, I go with long cotton pants, something like this (see attached). In fact, I've ordered these same pants in grey, navy, baby blue and black all the way from newborn up through now 2Tsized. They're great!! Def all you need moooost of the year down here

dmontgo · June 2016

@DiFazette Thank you for the tips! I'm not lazy, but I do like making things easier on myself if I can. I like how a lot of the suggestions are easy and sustainable!

@jennbaylor12 OMG he's so cute!! Those are my kind of clothes right there. I'm having a hard time finding sets that are neutral, so once we find out what baby is it will be a lot easier I think. Making notes because with pregnancy brain I will forget... >.>

ashleaf2018 · June 2016

We're in Arkansas, so our winters aren't necessarily bad but they are pretty unpredictable. We had two "bad" snow storms two years ago but none this past year, it was even 75 degrees on Christmas Day. If it's too cold we try not to make unnecessary trips outside just because I'm a sissy and can't stand the cold. I think for when baby gets here we will just do a lot of fleece zip ups with the built in feet, and also swaddle in a nice thick blanket. Obviously we can't swaddle if he's in the carseat, but both of our cars are really good about getting warm quickly so I'm not worried about that, honestly. And thankfully where we are it really starts to warm up in March-April, so we won't have to worry about it being cold for long. I haven't read through all of the comments yet but also we'll probably keep him in a hat as much as we can. They lose most of their heat through their top of their head, or so I've been told.

jennbaylor12 · June 2016

@dmontgo - thank you so much!! That photo is incredibly special to me, it was taken at the exact moment I decided to leave my "amazing", high paying, 60+hr/wk job and stay home while I figure out my next career move - a moment most don't have photographic evidence of. It was taken this past fall on the first day we could pseudo rationalize lighting a fire without seeming completely crazy because we wanted DS to see it. That picture is when DS walked into the room and saw the Roaring fireplace. I immediately teared up while I took the picture, turned to the DH said simply "I can't do this anymore". He asked what I was talking about and I told him "I'm missing everything. How many times has the DS had this look on his face and we've missed it, we had no idea?" He stared at me for a few moments and then said "Alright. Let's figure it out" - and that was that :-)

As for the pants, you can find them on Amazon and at Kohls. Kohl's is my go-to for shopping for him, they always have great sales and I can find just what I'm looking for most of the time

dmontgo · June 2016

@ashleaf2018 You are right that people lose the most heat from their noggins! I sure do love a good winter hat.

@jennbaylor12 What a great story! The older I get the more I realize that money is a means to an end, and doesn't really make me happy. DH was active duty for a long time until recently, and he was never home. I saw him maybe 1 full day a week, or he was away for weeks, if not deployed. It hurt. Then one day he sat me down and told me he wanted to go Reserves and finish school so he could be present in my life and in our marriage. He said he didn't want our future kids to grow up without him being there. It was a scary transition at first, but I respect him so much for it. And it's so nice that we can spend time together. It's the little things that make the biggest difference. You are awesome! Thank you for sharing!

KateH1216 · June 2016

I'm with @R0824H on this one. I'm in Minnesota and going out in the winter is just a fact of life around here! January and February can be brutal. I'm loving this thread @dmontgo! Good thinking!

beff12 · June 2016

As a fellow NC resident, I'll tell you that DD didn't have a winter coat her first winter (5ish months), we just used heavy blankets to/from the car! We'll probably do zip pjs or long sleeve onesies with soft pants like mentioned further up. Pants and socks can be hard to keep up on the littles, but I'll feel better trying anyways!

HairBossMama · June 2016

Yep in Ohio we will be out and about regardless of weather. I really like the pants that had footies in the bottom. I did not put shoes on my kid till he was 6 months at least. Socks and footy pants/pj sets work fine keeping them warm.
I plan on wearing this baby a lot so I'm going to invest in a baby wearing coat and fleece cover.

dmontgo · June 2016

@beff12 Thank you for a local perspective! I'm kind of on the fence about getting an infant winter jacket since they grow so fast, but as a FTM I want to cover my bases!

jennbaylor12 · June 2016

beff12 said:

As a fellow NC resident, I'll tell you that DD didn't have a winter coat her first winter (5ish months), we just used heavy blankets to/from the car! We'll probably do zip pjs or long sleeve onesies with soft pants like mentioned further up. Pants and socks can be hard to keep up on the littles, but I'll feel better trying anyways!

This. We didn't get a true winter coat until this past winter - 18mths old rather than 6mths old. We did the same as you the first winter

HairBossMama · June 2016

Yes it's unsafe for them to wear a coat in the car seat too. I always wrapped my son in a warm blanket with a hat. The old people in my life fussed but you don't needs coats for them unless you will be outside for long periods of time.

mysteryship · June 2016

I'm in upstate NY and winter can be brutal, and last until April so at some point we have to go out. I'm so thankful for this thread.

I'm definitely planning on footies and warm blankets rather than coats and shoes - I feel like baby doesn't need to wear real clothes for a while. I'm hoping to knit some sweaters and hats.

I have a union suit, which is basically footies for adults, that I wear around the house all winter. DH teases me hard about it, but it's soooo comfy. I'm excited to match the baby while we hang out at home.

cjt121413 · June 2016

DS was a winter baby here in North Texas. We get some cold snaps some winters but generally it's pretty mild. Sleep n plays with feet will be my go-to. I don't plan to buy a baby coat but will use layers and blankets instead. And hats. Lots of cute hats. Mittens, too, if she'll keep them on.

Baaaaaaah so excited!!!!!

DiFazette · June 2016

jennbaylor12 said:

beff12 said:

As a fellow NC resident, I'll tell you that DD didn't have a winter coat her first winter (5ish months), we just used heavy blankets to/from the car! We'll probably do zip pjs or long sleeve onesies with soft pants like mentioned further up. Pants and socks can be hard to keep up on the littles, but I'll feel better trying anyways!

This. We didn't get a true winter coat until this past winter - 18mths old rather than 6mths old. We did the same as you the first winter

I'm pretty sure this is what we did too. Zip up warm fleeces (Columbia/Patagonia) but we didn't do a big jacket.

littlebirdie28 · June 2016

DiFazette said:

Depends on what you'd do outdoors. Layers are good. Aquaphor for chapped skin. They have the heavy baby bunting things but they are unsafe in the car, so I don't know where people use them. You can get sacks for your car seat - I think they're silly because you don't want your kid warming up too much while riding in the car. Unless you have a really long trip to the car, it seems like overkill to me. Heavy socks for their feet. I will have my babies in zipper sleep and plays primarily for the first 6 months (or until the weather warms up). Fleece sleep and plays are a good option and make life easy.

When you are referring to the bunting in this case, do you mean the snowsuit looking outfit or the fuzzy thing you put on the car seat? (FTM here, still learning what's OK with the car seat and what's not)

dmontgo · June 2016

Thank you to everyone responding and sharing their experiences! I'm glad I'm not the only one that had questions.

Christmas babiiieeezzz!

Kacie209 · June 2016

Great post, actually!

I'm in the upper midwest here, and January tends to be the COLDEST month of the year, with temps reaching digits below zero. December can be like that too, but January is more known for that. I plan on probably stay more inside these moths unless I absolutely have to leave the house, or leave once DH gets home to run a couple places, etc. February can be cold, but starts warming up in March and so on. Although, we have crazy weather... so you never know what may happen.

I know that if we do travel with the newborn, layers and fleece will be important - especially with the car seat. I am sure it would be quick in and out, as no one wants to stay outside in below zero temps if they don't have to, and I would never want to expose the baby to that. This will be a great time to just stay in and snuggle!

beff12 · June 2016

We did some light sweaters too! I forgot about that when I answered last night. But yeah, nothing bulky for car seat safety like @ashbozso mentioned. I saw so many adorable winter coats for infant girls, but couldn't justify putting a coat on her, walking 10 steps to the car, taking it off, and putting it back on before taking her out of the car when we reached our destination!

sammyl1221 · June 2016

Omg I love this! So necessary for All the winter babies. So FTM here and baby dressing 101 - when the baby is in the car seat she should be in her outfit and nothing else because it could cause overheating?

dmontgo · June 2016

@sammyl1221 I think you can't have bulky clothes on baby in the car seat because it's a safety issues with the straps, but I could be wrong.

R0824H · June 2016

@ashbozso the baby wearing coat is a good idea!!! I should look into that!! I'm guessing a cover for the stroller would be a good idea too. I'm just worried about their poor face/cheeks

DiFazette · June 2016

littlebirdie28 said:

DiFazette said:

Depends on what you'd do outdoors. Layers are good. Aquaphor for chapped skin. They have the heavy baby bunting things but they are unsafe in the car, so I don't know where people use them. You can get sacks for your car seat - I think they're silly because you don't want your kid warming up too much while riding in the car. Unless you have a really long trip to the car, it seems like overkill to me. Heavy socks for their feet. I will have my babies in zipper sleep and plays primarily for the first 6 months (or until the weather warms up). Fleece sleep and plays are a good option and make life easy.

When you are referring to the bunting in this case, do you mean the snowsuit looking outfit or the fuzzy thing you put on the car seat? (FTM here, still learning what's OK with the car seat and what's not)

@littlebirdie28 - i mean those full length zip up coveralls that go on the baby - they're big and heavy and they can't wear them in their carseat for safety reasons. They do have the car seat covers though, i just don't get them. Put them on to take them off 45 seconds later - no thanks.

I'll do layers, heavy hat/socks and blankets over the baby buckled in. Anything else seems like so much work.

HairBossMama · June 2016

@sammyl1221 the baby can overheat too. If you google bulky clothes and car seat straps there are some great videos that show what happens. It keeps the straps from containing baby in a crash.

beff12 · June 2016

dmontgo said:

@sammyl1221 I think you can't have bulky clothes on baby in the car seat because it's a safety issues with the straps, but I could be wrong.

Yep! @sammyl1221 if there is too much material between the baby and the straps and you were to get in an accident, the bulk would interfere with the straps doing their job. A blanket on top of the baby and straps is totally fine, you just don't want too much going on underneath! A light coat or sweater is fine.

kmh1416 · June 2016

I really love having a thick, shower cap style car seat cover. It keeps the heat in the bucket seat and blocks the wind. It also blocks random strangers from touching your baby! Shower cap style covers are the only kind that are safe for use in the car.

A fleece jacket instead of a puffy snow suit, again for safety reasons and warmth.

I also love the Shea Moisture "Vaseline" stuff. I can't think of the actual name but it smells so good. It's the consistency of Vaseline but is natural and helps heal their dry skin and chapped cheeks.

A fuzzy pair of footie pajamas for every day of the week. My kids live in warm jammies for the first 6 months haha

Toller · June 2016

@sammyl1221 that's what we always did (DD was born 2 years ago in -24 degrees so lots of experience here!) you can always throw a blanket over them, but those covers that stretch over the car seat with elastic keep them really nice in there!!

DD was a hotbox, so even in the coldest of winter, she was usually only in cotton or terry cloth footed pajamas. We just kept our house a little warmer that winter too- i REALLY stressed on temperature of baby in the house, it wasn't fun. I usually opted for less than more but that's just me.

Clothing preferences in general will vary by kid too- some like it hot some hate it.

cgss11 · June 2016

I have to laugh because I just got a package of clothes from my MIL. She's only been to Arizona once, in June, so I'm sure she thinks we're silly when we say it can be chilly in the winter. She sent 12 newborn size things, all very, very summery. I'm talking spaghetti strap bubbles, teeny shorts, etc. I'll accept graciously and not mention it to her because she's a can of worms, but I swear we wear coats in the winter haha!

tinattt23 · June 2016

@cgss11 I believe you! We drove theough Arizona in January and it was freezing!! Like probably some of the coldest weather (this spoiled Southern California girl) has even been in! Even the dog wouldn't go outside.

jenlynne0624 · June 2016

Lots of fleece coveralls and thick socks and skull caps. Cover over the car seat. At home he will just live in fleece and terry cloth sleep and plays since we're in Pittsburgh and the winters can suck royally. Sleep will be the fleece or terry jammies with a Velcro swaddle. I also plan on baby wearing quite a bit with a ring sling in the beginning and my ergo or Tula once he's older, so maybe a baby wearing jacket or a bigger coat will be in order.

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