Expert Advice On Making Your Baby Wear Multiple Layer Of Clothes During Winter

In the early stages of their lives, babies are vulnerable to numerous infections and viruses. This is because their immune system is not strong enough to fight against those infections. Winters are enjoyable. However, they also lead to a desirable environment for various infections, such as the common cold, influenza, cough, and pneumonia. Hence, it is required to dress up your child according to the environment and keep them warm, especially during winter. Babies need help regulating their body temperature during winter, so it is essential to dress them in layers.

What Should My Baby Dress Up In Winters?

When there is a drop in temperature, it is necessary to dress your baby in layers, so they feel warm and cozy. Make sure you dress your baby in one additional layer than what you're comfortable wearing; this is the general thumb rule during winter. If you're feeling cold, your baby is probably cold too. A few ways to dress the baby in different places are as follows:

In The Car Seat

Heavy clothes such as puffy snowsuits are not safe for car seats. Since heavy clothes will not get the harness tight enough, some experts advise against bulky clothes and sleeping bags attached to car seats since they can compress in a car crash, increasing the risk of injury in babies. Instead, dress your baby in layers, then cover it with a blanket after they are buckled in. You can also purchase a fitted aftermarket cover as long as it is certified by the car seat manufacturer. There should be no covers between the baby and the harness strap of the car seat. In extremely cold weather, dress your baby in a long-sleeved one-piece under a one-piece footed fleece outfit. You can also add a cotton sweater, depending on the weather. Use multiple or thick blankets when transporting the baby to the car in her seat. You can also prefer an older baby's coat and put their arms into it backward instead of a blanket after buckling in the car seat.

Indoors

Don't go overboard while dressing the baby up when you are inside. The general rule is to dress one more layer, which applies indoors too, and the ideal temperature is between 66 degrees to 72 degrees Fahrenheit. An ideal way to check if the baby is too hot or cold is to put a hand on their tummy or back, which should be warm and not sweaty. Be careful about signs of overheating, such as sweating, damp hair, flushed cheeks, and rapid breathing. Remove a layer of clothing if you observe any of these.

Outdoors

Fresh air is essential for your baby, even in cold weather. As long as the baby is healthy and was born full term, taking them for a walk outdoors for 15-20 minutes is fine. Dress your baby in layers since they lose heat more rapidly than adults do. So if you are going outdoors, dress your baby in a long-sleeved outfit, a sweater, and a coat. Add mittens, a snug-fitting cap, and warm boots.

If you are heading out in a carrier, keep the baby's airway clean so their face is uncovered, and parents can observe them. If you are heading out in a stroller, you can attach a sleeping bag and add a windscreen to protect the baby's delicate skin from windburn. If your baby's eyes tear up or if they become fussy and start crying, you will know that your baby has had enough winter weather. Also, watch out for any signs of hypothermia, such as blue lips, shivering, or a pale appearance on the nose or ears.

How To Know If Your Baby Is Feeling Cold?

It might take some time for your baby to communicate with you. However, there are certain things you can do to make sure whether they are cold or not. Some of them are:

• Place your hands on your baby's tummy and check if it feels cold to your hand. If it does feel cold, your baby is feeling cold and you must try to keep their ware.

• Another way is to check the temperature of the baby's feet and hands. If you feel them extremely cold, it is another cold symptom. Try to dress your baby in warm clothes to keep them cozy.

• One more way to determine if the baby is feeling cold is to check his hands and feet. If they are a little bluish or blotchy, it may need your immediate attention that they are feeling very cold.

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• Since the only way to communicate for babies is through crying, it is another sign that they are feeling cold if you find them fussy and crying. If they have watery eyes and appear fussy and uncomfortable, don't ignore it as something normal; dress them up in warm clothes and keep them cozy.

• A runny nose is also a clear sign of a cold. Since babies are more vulnerable to infections, keep them warm and comfortable.

How To Prepare Your Baby's Wardrobe For Winter?

To prepare your baby's wardrobe for winter, ensure you have enough clothes suitable for warm and cold days. Things to consider when choosing the right winter wear clothes for your baby are:

• Comfort

Make sure to choose the appropriate type of baby clothes, so they are not too tight, clingy, or heavy. Their clothes should be easy to wear and take off so they can do free movements like running and playing.

• Size

Either you purchase a jacket, hoodie, sweater, or cardigan, follow the size measure given on the product, which mentions the age group. Take a good look at it and imagine your baby in it and if it will fit her. Choose clothes that are a little loose since they tend to grow fast. If your baby is bigger in the age group compared to other babies, always consider taking one size larger.

• Baby caps

If you do not take preventive measures, the chilly winter winds could make your baby sick. If blown over the baby's exposed head, these chilly winds can lead them to cry and eventually develop a high temperature. Make sure they are wearing caps or hoods to prevent this. It can be a woolen baby cap or a jacket hood. There are many options available online with different colors and designs, or you can knit them yourself. These caps adequately cover the head and ears of the baby.

• Modify your strollers

Babies need a breath of fresh air and can't be cooped up all inside the home during the chilly weather. So you can modify your stroller by adding a transparent sheet layer around the stroller with a zipper. This way, you can take the baby out for a stroll and protect them against the chilly winds. This should be a must-buy on your winter list since it can provide adequate protection against the chilly weather.

• Car seat

Dressing up your baby in winter is challenging, yet another more considerable problem is fitting your baby in the car seat with layers of clothes. The simple way to fit your baby in the car seat without exposing it to winter chills is by first removing the extra jacket or blanket. After your baby is comfortable and strapped in the car seat, you can add blankets to cover them.

• Sock and mittens

The hands and feet of the baby are exposed to the environment all the time, which is the main reason your baby is frequently falling sick in winter. Make sure to dress them in socks and hand gloves or mittens during winter, whether inside the house or not. This will make the hands and feet stay warm and fuzzy. Adding socks before the shoes is a good way of layering up in babies. Moreover, the hand mittens keep the baby's hand clean and safe from bacteria, apart from being an essential baby winter wear.

Ways To Keep Your Baby Warm During Winter

Below are a few expert ways to keep your baby warm and comfortable in winter:

• Dress your baby in layers

This is one of the most basic yet effective ways to keep your baby warm and cozy in winter. Dressing them in layers allows you to adjust to their needs. For example, you can dress up the bottom layer in leggings and a body suit. On top of that, you can add another layer of pants and a full-sleeved shirt. Top that up with a jacket or sweater, cap, mittens, and warm booties to keep their feet and hands warm.

• Choosing the right fabric

Selecting the fabric is important to ensure that it fulfills the objective of keeping your baby warm. Choose breathable fabrics like cotton and muslin. Thermal clothes are also a great option when it comes to winter dressing. Woollen and polyester are also great fabrics for winter. Avoid cotton clothes since they are not effective against the cold. Also, make sure the clothing fabric does not absorb moisture in the air when you are outside with the baby during winter.

• Outdoor accessories

If you are planning to take your little one out, make sure to add some extra accessories, such as a monkey cap and mittens. Adding them will ensure that your baby is warm, cozy, and comfortable. Pick a cap made up of soft material yet fulfills the purpose of preventing cold.

• Carry a blanket

It is always a good option to carry a blanket if there is a sudden drop in temperature and to make the baby feel warm enough. A blanket is necessary if you stay in an extremely cold city.

• Snowsuits

Snowsuits are great for cold weather. They provide extra protection against colds, the baby look super cute, and are designed to cover your baby from head to toe.

• Opt for zip-ups

Zip-ups are a good option because they are simple to put on and remove. Guess a situation when you need to change your baby's diaper immediately or when it starts to get hot, and you want to remove some layers of their outfit. Changing clothes is extremely efficient in zip-ups.

• Go for sleep sacks

A sleep sack is an ideal choice of clothing in your baby's winter wear collection. It is cozy and has a soft interior that will not only help him sleep tight but also safeguard your baby from the harsh cold.

• Stroller outfit

If you intend to go outdoors with your little one for a stroll, ensure they are properly covered, especially their hands, feet, ears, and head, as these body parts are more susceptible to frostbite. Put your baby in a long-sleeved onesie with some pants and socks, then put on a zip-up sweatshirt or jacket, followed by a nice and cozy snowsuit, before you stroll out. It provides the necessary protection to beat the cold.

How Long Can You Take Your Baby Out In The Cold?

Since babies lose body heat quickly, it is better to limit the long stroll in winter, especially when the temperature outdoors is below -20 degrees and it's quite windy. There is no harm in taking your baby out for a stroll if it's not too cold or windy. If your baby starts to fuss, pay attention to them because it could mean that they are starting to feel cold.

Dressing Babies During Night Time

While it's necessary to keep your baby warm and cozy at night, it is important not to let them get too warm. There is an increased risk of sudden death syndrome, which is linked to overheating the baby. It is also known as cot death. While room heating for your baby's room is not required at night, ensure the room temperature is optimal. The optimal room temperature is 18 degrees Celsius, but it can be between 16-20 degrees Celsius. Use a thermometer to keep your hands room at a safe and comfortable temperature. Keep the baby's sleeping place away from radiators, heaters, fires, or direct sunlight to prevent them from overheating.

Conclusion

Winters can be tough for babies and adults. You can avoid the risk of impact on your baby's health if you follow proper dressing and care. Remember, precaution is always better than cure. Make sure you take all the necessary steps to keep your baby warm, cozy, and comfortable so that winter is memorable and fun.