How to Keep Your Baby Safe and Warm on Outings in the Winter

Babies seem to come with a long list of necessary supplies and safety recommendations to follow, and that is no different when you take them out in an infant car seat or a stroller seat. Winter can be an especially tricky time, as more layers are required to keep babies warm and comfortable, while also ensuring that they are safe in wherever they are placed on-the-go.

How to Keep Your Baby Safe and Warm in an Infant Car Seat

To keep your baby safe: do not overdress baby in their infant car seat with bulky clothing, jackets, snow suits, etc. When the padding from these bulky items leave too much space between the baby and the car seat harness, he/she is more likely to slip out and be ejected from the car seat in the event of a car accident. Likewise, there should not be too much bulk between the baby and the back of the car seat.

To keep your baby warm:
- A blanket could be draped over the baby and made sure it’s on top of the harness straps, not under
- Car seat cover to help insulate when you’re outside. A rain cover will allow babies to look out through the plastic, while fabric ones will not
- Accessories such as mittens, hats, booties, balaclava, etc. Opt for insulated ones rather than knitted ones, depending on the temperature outside

How to Keep Your Baby Safe and Warm in a Stroller Seat

To keep your baby safe: ensure that they are ready to sit in an upright stroller seat. A baby can usually sit in a stroller seat around 6 months old, but it depends on their individual development. Here’s a quick checklist to see if your baby is ready.
- The baby can support their head on their own 
- They can hold their head up for an extended period of time
- They have developed enough neck and torso muscles to sit up independently

To keep your baby warm:
- Accessories such as mittens, hats, booties, balaclava, etc. I love these mittens by SnowStoppers, as the sleeves attached to the mittens go under baby’s jacket sleeves, so they are less likely to fall off compared to traditional mittens. Also great for toddlers!
- A winter jacket and/or snow suit
- Stroller bunting bag or stroller cover