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Winter Essentials For Babies

Parul Solanki
Winter with plummeting temperatures and snow storms can be a hard time for infants and kids. Here're some helpful tips that'll help you take care of your baby during the winter.

Quick Tip

During the winter months, ask a pediatrician whether a flu shot or other shots that reduce the risk of cold and flu are best for your baby.
When the winter chill sets in, you have to make preparations and stock up on essentials for your little one. Whether you are planning to welcome a baby this winter, or getting your kid ready to play out in the snow, you should know what will keep him/her safe and warm. Winter can be hard for you, but it can be tougher for babies.
To ensure that your baby stays warm and healthy, you would need clothing, bedding, and nursery room essentials. Of course, the things you need, be it a winter jacket or a quilt for your baby's crib, depends on how cold it gets in the place where you live.
If it's snowing outside, stock up on some good snowsuits for the child. With the plummeting temperatures, you'd also need warm baby blankets to create a cozy environment for your infant. Here are some other essentials that are a must-have for babies this winter.

Winter Clothing and Accessories
On Top (L-R): Sweater, Baby Coat, and Snowsuit Bottom (L-R): Mittens, Knitted Baby Hats

Snowsuits and Snow Pants

If you are planning to head outdoors with your baby, you would need to buy lots of layers. Bundling your child into a fluffy woolen jacket or a snowsuit keeps the little one warm. Snowsuits, which resemble bodysuits with their form-fitting legs and arms, have a thick layer of insulation against the snow.
However, thick winter snowsuits and coats can be very uncomfortable and even restrict the movement of the little one. Moreover, it is not advisable to dress the baby in winter clothing that is too bulky, because this may the hinder the car seat straps from fastening properly.
A light winter coat or fleece snowsuit can also keep the baby just as warm and comfortable. Check out some adorable snowsuits like Carter's Sherpa Baby Bunting, Mossi Toddler Snow suit, Columbia Bugababy Interchange Bunting, U.S. Polo Assn. Baby Pearlized Cire Logo Hooded Pram, or splurge on the Moschino tartan snowsuit to keep your baby warm.

Winter Coats and Sweater

Sweaters, jackets, and winter coats are a staple in every infant's winter closet. Soft-knit woolen sweaters or micro-fleece jackets are best for the baby at home, while heavy jackets and winter coats should be enough to keep him comfortable when going outdoors.
It is best to get around three to four woolen sweaters and two to three jackets so that you have some spares when the dirty ones are in the laundry. You can find some beautiful sweaters and jackets by L.L.Bean, Hanna Andersson, and Gap Kids.

Woolen Knit Hats, Mittens and Socks

A baby loses excess heat from his/her head, so you would need woolen hats and caps for protection against the icy winds. Although you can always find winter wear with attached hoods, it is best to buy winter hats that pull down snugly, and keep the chill away from your little one's ears and head.
You can find adorable hat designs online and at retail stores. From crotchet hats with ear flaps to aviator knit hats and pixie hats, there are some amazingly adorable styles, designs, and colors out there.
Along with caps, you would need mittens to keep the baby's soft and tender hands warm. It is a good idea to stock up on some extra mittens, about four to five pairs. Thick woolen socks and warm booties should complete your winter shopping.
Other winter clothing can include:
❅ Knitted woolen vests and bodysuits
❅ Long sleeved tops and pajamas
❅ Warm leggings or wool tights
❅ Baby leg warmers

Baby Bedding and Linen
On Top (L-R): Hooded Blanket, Quilt Bottom (L-R): Knitted Blanket, Fleece Blanket

Warm Crib Sheets

During winters, if the baby sleeps alone in the crib or bassinet, keeping him/her warm through the night can be a major challenge. Warm flannel and fleece crib sheets and quilts can keep the baby warm.
Ensure that the crib sheets and pads fit the cot snugly. Some good options include: Carter's easy-fit velour crib sheet and Luvable Friends Geometric Print Fitted Knit Crib Sheet.

Blankets and Sleeping Bags

Cover the baby with a warm cotton wool blanket. If you want to keep the baby warm without all the fuss with blankets all night, use warm swaddling blankets, sleeping bags or a wool sleep sack to keep the baby warm.
Of course, you need to choose a sleeping bag or sack based on the baby's weight and height. Some good sleeping bag options for babies include: OBaby B Is For Bear Sleeping Bag and Grobag 2.5 Tog Sleeping Bag - Alphapet.

Baby Care Essentials

Moisturizing Creams/ Lotions

Dry weather can wreak havoc on the baby's soft, sensitive skin. Hence, you need to stock up on moisturizing lotions and creams to keep the baby's skin hydrated and healthy. Look for fragrance-free baby skin care products that are free of unwanted chemicals, such as artificial colors, allergenic or irritating preservatives, that can harm the baby's soft skin.
Natural oils, such as almond, olive, coconut, or palm oil are perfect for the baby's sensitive skin. Apart from creams and body lotions, winter care for babies also involves using sunscreen to protect the baby's skin from the Sun's rays, which are equally potent at causing skin damage.

Humidifier and Air Purifier

Lowered humidity during winters further aggravates cough and cold in babies. To counter this, warm-mist humidifiers can be used to release warm steam into the atmosphere. The moisture in the atmosphere maintains the natural protective functions of the nasal mucous and the breathing tracts.
This can help in alleviating cold and cough in the winter months, and also prevent skin chapping. Some good options are Crane Germ Defense Cool & Warm Mist Humidifier with Digital Display and pureguardian H1510 100-Hour Warm/Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier.
The ideal temperature of the baby's room should be around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. A room thermometer installed in the baby's room will let you know if the temperature suddenly drops too much. Products like the innovative Gro-egg room thermometer changes color to let you know whether the temperature of a room is too low, too high, or just right.

Medicines

Babies have weak immune systems, and are susceptible to frequent bouts of cough and cold in winter. Consult a pediatrician and keep a handy box of cold and flu medicines.
When taking care of babies in winter, many parents tend to go overboard while buying winter stuff for their children. However, most of the sweaters and jackets probably lie around unused. Instead of hoarding too many items, it is better to invest in restricted, yet good quality essentials for the baby to keep him/her warm and safe.