Staying Warm this Winter
Just as there are a multitude of options for baby carriers, there are
many choices for staying warm during the winter months. Choices vary
depending on your family needs, personal preferences and how much you
are interested to invest. No matter if you are an occasional babywearer
or if you wear your child as a primary mode of transport, there are
things you can do to keep warm and safe.
It’s important to remember a few key things:
Babywearing Coats
There are several companies that make coats specifically to wear over your favorite carrier and are a great way to keep both adult and child warm. The coats are designed to be warm just like your regular winter coat, but with added panels and strategically placed holes to fit over baby. Specially designed coats can be expensive but most will last you throughout your babywearing years. They can be a great option if you are car-free or wear your child on a regular basis.
Some well known brands and options include:
ERGObaby Papoose Coats
Susie’s Kindercoat
Japanese Weekend Mama Coat
Peekaru Original, Soft Shell and new Hoodie
Babywearing Covers
Covers are a bit different then the babywearing coats because they are designed to only cover the baby and carrier, meaning you may need to still wear a coat or multiple layers yourself. They can be a good option for giving your child extra warmth or on days that aren’t quite as cold.
Some well known brands and options include:
CatBirdBaby Carrier Cover
Kowalli Cover
MaM Design Babywearing Cover
Do it Yourself Options
Prefer not to buy something specifically designed for wearing? Hope to use something already in your closet? It’s definitely possible. Just because there are options out there, doesn’t mean you need to buy one in order to safely--or warmly--wear your child this season.
Try carrying your child in a front position for easiest covering. On days that aren’t too cold, wearing a large sweater, try a cowl neck or deep v, over both of you may be all that you need. (The right sweater can even be wore backwards for back carries, though try it out to see if it’s comfortable for mom.) Wearing a man’s coat or just a larger size purchased from a thrift shop are easy options for covering a child on your front. If these ideas don’t appeal to your sense of style, try a maternity winter coat, the extra room for the belly works well for covering baby.
Back carries are a little more complicated for covering. You can try a cape or poncho, which are more adjustable, allowing you to leave an opening for both you and your child. You can also use blankets over and around your child, tucking them into the carrier edges to help them stay put.
If you are handy with a sewing machine, there are many DIY options for customizing a coat or cover for your needs. Check out these sites for ideas and directions: *BBW is not responsible for content on other sites and has not made these items and cannot guarantee results.
Babywearing Poncho from Jan Andrea
Jacket Inserts for front carries
Coat Alterations
Converting a Coat from Ocah Carriers
Pattern for Purchase
Tutorial from AndreaVWan on TBW (PDF)
There are also many instructions from other babywearers available if you search on thebabywearer.com and babycenter.com or other similar sites. We will post additional links or PDF instructions on our website as we find more!
It’s important to remember a few key things:
- While out in the elements you will be warmer than baby because you are exerting energy, moving around and walking, working your body temperature up. Baby/child isn’t exerting energy in the carrier and should be covered accordingly. Though you will be sharing body heat, so keep that in mind too.
- Always remember that little body parts can stick out, so check to make sure little hands, feet, legs and head are properly protected from the elements. Babylegs, knee socks or even adult sized socks over pants are a great way to keep little legs covered when they are outside the carrier.
- We do not recommend wearing a carrier on top of winter coats for you or your child. The bulk of the coats as well as certain fabrics can make it difficult to get a proper and secure carrier fit. When a carrier is not secured properly it can contribute to an unsafe wearing situation.
- Always pay attention to your surroundings when babywearing in the winter. Sidewalks and walkways can easily be covered with unexpected ice and snow making it difficult to pass. Just like during pregnancy, your center of gravity and balance can be thrown off easily while wearing your child. Please remember that if you wouldn’t do something while holding your baby, never do it while wearing your child. This includes skating, skiing and shoveling, among others.
Babywearing Coats
There are several companies that make coats specifically to wear over your favorite carrier and are a great way to keep both adult and child warm. The coats are designed to be warm just like your regular winter coat, but with added panels and strategically placed holes to fit over baby. Specially designed coats can be expensive but most will last you throughout your babywearing years. They can be a great option if you are car-free or wear your child on a regular basis.
Some well known brands and options include:
ERGObaby Papoose Coats
Susie’s Kindercoat
Japanese Weekend Mama Coat
Peekaru Original, Soft Shell and new Hoodie
Babywearing Covers
Covers are a bit different then the babywearing coats because they are designed to only cover the baby and carrier, meaning you may need to still wear a coat or multiple layers yourself. They can be a good option for giving your child extra warmth or on days that aren’t quite as cold.
Some well known brands and options include:
CatBirdBaby Carrier Cover
Kowalli Cover
MaM Design Babywearing Cover
Do it Yourself Options
Prefer not to buy something specifically designed for wearing? Hope to use something already in your closet? It’s definitely possible. Just because there are options out there, doesn’t mean you need to buy one in order to safely--or warmly--wear your child this season.
Try carrying your child in a front position for easiest covering. On days that aren’t too cold, wearing a large sweater, try a cowl neck or deep v, over both of you may be all that you need. (The right sweater can even be wore backwards for back carries, though try it out to see if it’s comfortable for mom.) Wearing a man’s coat or just a larger size purchased from a thrift shop are easy options for covering a child on your front. If these ideas don’t appeal to your sense of style, try a maternity winter coat, the extra room for the belly works well for covering baby.
Back carries are a little more complicated for covering. You can try a cape or poncho, which are more adjustable, allowing you to leave an opening for both you and your child. You can also use blankets over and around your child, tucking them into the carrier edges to help them stay put.
If you are handy with a sewing machine, there are many DIY options for customizing a coat or cover for your needs. Check out these sites for ideas and directions: *BBW is not responsible for content on other sites and has not made these items and cannot guarantee results.
Babywearing Poncho from Jan Andrea
Jacket Inserts for front carries
Coat Alterations
Converting a Coat from Ocah Carriers
Pattern for Purchase
Tutorial from AndreaVWan on TBW (PDF)
There are also many instructions from other babywearers available if you search on thebabywearer.com and babycenter.com or other similar sites. We will post additional links or PDF instructions on our website as we find more!
