Babywearing in COLD weather

[TSomm]

I'm due with my very first LO in late January. My husband is a trip coordinator for a ski trip in late March that we think I will be able to go on. I've done plenty of reading and it doesn't seem that difficult to take such a small child on the plane, just bring my boobs and a sling.

My question relates to the fact it's going to be COLD!. Will baby fit just fine under my ski jacket using a sling? (No I'll likely not be skiing) There will be a point when someone else may want to carry him/her. Should I get the baby some sort of winter suit? What are my options? I've seen a sling cover that acts sort of like an extra layer but it was shown with older children who keep their head sticking out.

Any suggestions on keeping baby warm?

[mysticmomma]

I would think layers. Maybe buy a few outfits that are too big and have them over top. The sling and being under your coat will also be good. hat obviously, socks work great as mittens on lo's that age. A thermal and a fleece blanket would be good too. You can layer them around the sling, threaded through the rings.

[baturay]

A two shoulder carrier (mei tai, buckle carrier or wrap) is so much comfortable under a coat than a one shoulder carrier (ring sling or pouch). What I like to do in cold weather months (we are in the Chicago area) is wear a two shoulder carrier (I prefer mei tai or woven wrap...with a woven wrap you can have three layers of fabric around baby), put baby in the carrier, and then put on my wool maternity coat (bought not even when pregnant for $40 at Old Navy) and the button that up over me and baby. I put on a scarf on me, a hat on baby, gloves on me and we are all nice and warm. On baby, I just put on long sleeves and maybe a sweater, but I don't need anything else on baby, since he has my body warmth, the layers of the carrier and the coat all over his toasty body. If you'd like, there are babywearing coats made for the purpose of wearing baby under them. These are the Mama Jacket and Suse's Kindercoat, as well as others. But, a big coat (like your husband's) or a maternity coat, also works.

[TSomm]

Thanks for the thoughts and advice!

Now I have a rather silly question... How much air needs to get in there? I'm guessing I shouldn't zip my jacket up to my neck and completely cover baby? I really don't know. I want to stay warm as well. :

I won't simply be going from home to car, car to store. I'll likely be walking around town, from home to restaurant, etc. Our trips include lots of outdoor walking. Can baby breathe in there?

[paxye]

I am in Quebec, Canada where -30 is not rare to see in the winter...

You said late March also... so the baby will be bigger and have a bit more head control by that time and it won't be that cold by that time...

I use a woven wrap as my preferred carrier... and just have that under my coat... as the pp said... besides a hat... just a normal PJ, or long sleeves and pants for baby but nothing warmer because they have the warmth of the wrap, your body and the coat...

I fasten the coat to around the hight of their head but not all the way over... and because they are in a wrap upright, that means that their head is usually just below my neck... If I am cold I wear a scarf but I when I am babywearing in the winter I don't find that I get cold easily because of the little heater that is strapped to my chest...

[_betsy_]

Remember that with the baby's body heat and the extra cloth layer(s) of the carrier, you'll be extra bundled up and toaty warm, too.

In very cold weather, I love my Kangaroo Korner Adjustable fleece Pouch. Very warm, for me and baby. Yeah, it's kind of a pain under a coat, but I manage just fine.

I don't think it would be safe to ski with baby in any type of carrier. Maybe cross country, if you're an experienced skier. I just wouldn't want to risk falling.

[bezark]

I highly suggest a Peekaru vest.
I used to use one when I was a nanny (and plan to use it with DS this year) and it is fantastic. I dress the baby just as I would indoors in such weather, add a hat, a woven wrap and the vest. For extra warmth for me, a hat, gloves and normal coat. If I get too warm, I can just peel my coat/hat off and baby is still nice and toasty.

[baturay]

Originally Posted by TSomm

Now I have a rather silly question... How much air needs to get in there? I'm guessing I shouldn't zip my jacket up to my neck and completely cover baby? I really don't know. I want to stay warm as well. :

Baby still needs air, so I wouldn't cover him with your coat completely. I do what paxye wrote.

The Peekaru is nice, but if you are nursing in the carrier, then I found it hard to do while wearing it.

[chs89]

I am also in Quebec, so ITA with what paxye wrote.

We did both the Bjorn with cover (didn't know any better, or how much that darn thing would hurt our backs), and a Beco under our jackets.

If you're going to XC ski and your LO is over 4 mos you should rent a pulk. They're amazing We never missed a ski season because of it. We bundled DS in a down suit and a fleece blanket and he was toasty warm! I would not alpine ski with a child that young - too dangerous!

[K-Mom3]

I had a baby in Fairbanks, Alaska and went walking every day that the temp was above zero, Farenheit. I put my baby in a snowsuit and warm fleece blankets in the sling and put it on over my coat. My coat wasn't big enough to zip over the sling and there was no way I could go out with my coat unzipped. The sling is the BEST for using with a blanket inside. If your coat can go over the baby and still zip, I would consider another carrier that does better with a newborn against your chest in an upright position. Like a moby maybe? Anyway, then you can help keep her warm in your coat and she can breathe better than in a cradle position. My newborns always eventually fell sideways if I tried to put them upright in a sling.

But yes, I would think you would need a snowsuit. I bet you can find one used or maybe even one to borrow just for the trip if you don't need it any other time...

[TSomm]

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions! I truly appreciate it.

...and just to clarify. I wouldn't even think of skiing with my baby. LOL I'd have to leave him/her behind with someone else, if I feel up to it. As I said before, it's my first child. I don't know if I'll physically be able to ski, or if I'll even be emotionally ready to leave the babe behind with someone else to watch.

I'll have to look into all these carrier types and see what might work best for us.