A baby sling and winter

Winter is coming. Perhaps many mothers guess how to dress themselves and their babies in a baby sling to feel warm and comfortable. Babies need mother’s embrace, feeling of safety and mother’s milk in winter as well as at other time of the year. And all these things are possible with a baby sling or another soft baby carrier!

Dress you child

3 months +

If your baby is three months old and more he might prefer to walk in upright positions. In this case you need a snow one-piece suit. It should have trouser legs. A sleeping bag won’t do for you at all because your baby can not seat on your hip or in you front in such outwear. 

You should pay attention to two models of winter outwear for your baby: a one-peace suit and jacket and dungarees. The first one is very convenient because you have only one piece to put on and the wind can not blow cold your baby. At the same time there is a disadvantage of a one-piece suit. Children grow fast and you might have to buy several suits during one season. That’s why we advice you to buy a jacket and dungarees. Usually you put on dungarees first and only then put on a jacket. But if you use a baby sling or another soft baby carrier it is convenient to do it in opposite sequence – a jacket at the beginning and dungarees on top. Your baby will feel warm enough even if it is windy and his jacket will not ride up when you carry him in your arms or in a baby sling. At the same time your baby has enough space for moving in this kind of cloths.

Trousers and a jacket go not so well in this situation because the wind can easily come under baby’s cloths.

Newborns

You can use a one-piece suit with trouser legs or with a whole lower part. Because babies under 3-4 months easily fall asleep as soon as they are in a baby sling or another soft baby carrier and you usually use a cradle hold to carry such children in a baby sling.

Material

One more important thing is material which the baby’s outwear is made from. Fur-lined cloths are not so good because it can be too hot for a baby in a sling. Modern materials (such as polartec and so on) do well for this kind of cloths. The lining should be from cotton or other natural material.   The outside layer should be waterproof and not slippery. Slippery materials are dangerous because of the ability to drop your baby.

Shoes

You don’t need to buy shoes for your child who can not walk yet. They might hinder you when you carry your baby in a baby sling. It is just excess weight for you. If it is possible you can sew up openings of trouser legs. Or you can buy baby’s bootees. Anyway you should put on warm socks because baby’s legs almost do not move when he is in a sling on you.

Use mittens for baby’s hands if it is too cold.

Dress yourself

The cloths of the mother are not less important than the cloths of the baby. Shoes should be low-heeled or without any heels because mother’s articulations are weak after the birth of the child. And it is more convenient to carry your baby in your hand or in a baby sling in such shoes.

The long coat or other long outwear will be not so convenient as well. Your sleeves should be soft and do not have fur edging.

Under or on top

Another question should you wear a baby sling under your cloths or on it? Babies under 3 or 4 months old must be quit often breastfed. That’s why it is more convenient to put on your jacket on the baby sling. There is a big choice of special cloths for breastfeeding. It can really help you.

You are afraid you can be frozen in unfasten cloths?… Yes. If you sit at one place for a long time. But if you are in walking journey and at the same time you carry in your hands your baby 4-5 kg you will never be frozen! The cloths should be wide and not very long.

All cradle hold and baby positions on your tummy are possible in a baby sling under your cloths.

If you are going to wear a baby sling on your cloths then choose a jacket or a coat narrow in the waist.

Summary

The experience of babywearing mothers show that usually you should dress yourself and your baby even less than if you use a stroller! Because you are so close to your baby and your can really give out warmth to each other.

The tail of the baby sling can help you to cover your baby from wind and snow.

A Ring Sling or a Moby Wrap or a Mei Tai

All kind of baby sling and soft baby carriers can be used in winter. A ring baby sling is good for newborns and beginning babywearers. A moby wrap carrier is good for a long walk journey. A mei tai carrier does for you in these situations because of its design – baby’s cloths never ride up in this carrier..