Help me figure out winter baby wear and babywearing

[Awaken]

You'd think by the 3rd child I'd have this figured out, but I'm as perplexed as ever. Last winter I never did develop a workable way of getting her out of the car and into some kind of carrier. It was a huge hassle every single time and I probably did it differently every time.

Here's what I have so far- mainly I use an ergo. I have a fleece bunting and a winter coat for her (but haven't figured out how to make that safe in the car seat and not too puffy). I can keep the waist band of the ergo already clipped on my waist, but in order to get her into it and the arm straps on, I have to have my coat off. So that means me standing in freezing weather/rain/sleet/wind/snow with no coat, putting her in the ergo on my front, and zipping my coat around her. And this only works for short distances b/c she's getting heavy and having her on the front hurts my back for longer walks. But I can't have her on my back under my winter coat obviously!

But then she's in a heavy fleece inside the ergo, inside my coat, and for long periods that's just too hot and uncomfortable for both of us. And taking her out for a diaper change or nursing is a major hassle and again requires me to be coatless to undo the ergo's shoulder straps.

SO, I could struggle her into the fleece in the house, take the whole thing off after we walk to the car in winter weather, strap her into the car seat in regular clothes which seems safer and more comfortable. then still have to do the ergo-no coat routine for myself, she is exposed to the elements as I'm putting her in and out, although we may be more comfortable while we're out and about.

Sorry if this sounds really complicated- I just can't figure out how to make this work, while not having her in a puffy fleece suit in the car, or having my coat off a good portion of the time, or exposing her to the elements, or taking her snow suit on and off multiple times per trip (and anyone who has a baby knows this is really tough.)

There has got to be an easier way! How do other people do this?! Plus I have two other kids to manage the on/off of coats in and out of the car and carseat buckles, and multiple backpacks and bags of all our stuff to carry around! ugh, ugh, ugh!!!

[mamalex23]

have you tried a sling? maybe a hip carry if she's getting heavy. you can keep your coat on and (fairly) easily get her in and out of the sling-also good for nursing. I have a ring-sling i made and LOVE, but DS is only 4 months and 15lbs.

For the car seat or stroller we have this great baby sleeping bag type thing. slits for buckles on back and front zips up (ours is Graco) found second hand and really coming in handy. i don't have to overdress DS and can get a secure buckle on him. Good luck-sounds like you've got your hands full : )

[colsxjack]

We use the ergo on top of our coats and have this bunting bag thing that goes over baby so gives her an extra layer so that she doesn't need our coat done up over her to keep warm. It has a strap that goes over our neck and then it goes over her body and kinda tucks under her feet. It is great.
I am sure you could use it with the baby on your back too if needed.
I think it is made by kiddopolous.
Ergo makes one too.
http://comfortfirst.com/p-140833-erg...er-winter.aspx

[Oliver's Mama]

I sympathize.. it's on my mind All The Time, as I struggle getting in and out of the house in beautiful 70 degree weather..

Originally Posted by colsxjack

We use the ergo on top of our coats and have this bunting bag thing that goes over baby so gives her an extra layer so that she doesn't need our coat done up over her to keep warm. It has a strap that goes over our neck and then it goes over her body and kinda tucks under her feet. It is great.
I am sure you could use it with the baby on your back too if needed.
I think it is made by kiddopolous.
Ergo makes one too.
http://comfortfirst.com/p-140833-erg...er-winter.aspx

This is what I'm planning to try too. I have a thinner wool-blend winter coat, not a puffer one, so I'm thinking the SSC should fit securly over it. I don't have, nor do I want to have, a coat big enough to zip us both inside of, plus I'm weird about having my coat zipped up all the way/neck covered. For the baby, I have a fleece "snowsuit", but really it's just 2 layers of fleece, so it's not puffy at all, but still cozy.
http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/produc...scid=771648002
I think he'll be fine in that for quick in-and-outs, and for longer time outdoors I'm looking at that Ergo cover, or possibly creating my own out of a fleece baby blanket, though I'm no-sew, so we'll see.

[Friday13th]

I'm attempting to make something like this, http://www.etsy.com/listing/40865151...lover-wearable out of the fleece coat I wore while I was pregnant. I'm so uncrafty but fleece doesn't fray so I figure if nothing else I can cut a slit in the back and then just throw the coat over both of us.

My plan is for DS to wear a thin fleece jacket (like the Carter's ones that come with pants) plus a warm hat and mittens and a heavy blanket for the car and then I'll get out, put him on my back and zip us both up. It's a little annoying to stand out in the cold while you're doing but I usually wear a warm sweater and hat and it doesn't bother me. Plus I like to be able to take the coat off once we're in the store so we don't both overheat. I also have a snowsuit for bitter cold or if we're going to be outside for a while.

[Tattooed Hand]

we are deciding between these:
http://quirkybaby.com/item_681/CatBi...ier-Cover.html

http://monkeypockets.blogspot.com/se...nkey%20Pockets

[waiting2bemommy]

I like my wrap for cold weather because it can go on and off any layer/combination of clothing without any extra hassle (like adjusting straps, buckles, etc.)

I'm on the hunt for a wool coat for dd so her outerwear won't be really bulky in the carseat.

Also, I don't generally stand in the middle of the parking lot or whatever. I get ds out first, then dd, then grab the wrap or sling and head for shelter with dd under my arm or whatever. Then once we're inside I arrange her in the carrier. And if it's just to pick ds up from school or something there's no need for a carrier since it's just a quick dahs into the buildign and back out.

[mumkimum]

Hmm. . . I'm going to have to think about this myself.

With dd1, I usually used a sling when out. I'd be wearing a shirt and wool cardigan, have the sling ontop that, then a loose (not full or heavy) winter coat (one of dh's or something fleece) - I'd wear bigger scarves or actually have a hat when colder for myself. Baby would be in whatever (warm fleecy baby things worked fine with this.)

I'd err on you being colder (if you can handle that) - a winter vest might work out with the ergo ontop (plus scarf, hat, etc for you) and baby stays in fleecy baby suit until you need it off or anything.
No good new ideas on my part for what to do about baby outfit and carseat.

[Lauren31]

I usually just wear my husband's coat and put it over both of us. DD has a hat.

[Awaken]

wow, thanks! I actually did get some new ideas from this thread! I haven't seen those baby-carrier covers before! That might work, maybe if I'm wearing a big sweater or fall jacket. Or I could see if the ergo would go over my "puffy coat" with her using the cover.

I wish I could get a thinner material, but still warm winter coat, but I probably won't- even tho my coat is old, it still works and is very roomy so I can't see spending $ on a new one Just trying to make what I have work.

I have, however, been considering getting one of those wraps for ages and I think this may be the time. Like, a long, warm, wool blanket type thing that you wrap around yourself? I can see that working w/ the baby carrier and it would be a coat for both of us.

I don't know if sling would work- yes, it would be easier to put on ahead of time and keep on in the car without taking my coat off, but I have never felt truly hands-free with a sling, and I have soooooooo much stuff to carry and two other kids to chase and I really feel like the baby needs to be strapped securely to my body. Although maybe now that she's older and could be in the hip carry and has more balance, she'd be more secure in it. I could work on that! It would be much easier to pop her in and out of under my coat.

Oh, and now I'm remembering that last year we did have that kiddapotamus catseat cover thingie so she didn't need to be dressed very warmly, but now she's in a rear facing convertible seat so no cover.

Thanks for the help!

[hakeber]

When I was living in South Korea, where the winters are very cold, I frequently saw women wearing their babies on their backs with the carriers on over their coats (can you adjust your ergo to fit over your coat?) and a blankety cape thing drawn up over the baby's head...like this one:

http://www.thekoreanbaby.com/category/baby-carriers/

[carmel23]

hhhmmm... how old is your little one?

You might want look for a fleece pouch, which are good for quick ins and outs of the car, warm and cozy and easy to wear under a coat. I think I would just leave in on under the coat and pop baby in and out. (in warm but not bulky clothes, for car trips).

But for walks I scored a cute hanna andersson fleece suit similar to this off of ebay: suit pictured here.

So baby wears that in the ergo on the outside of my jacket on my back. He is walking, though, and in and out of the ergo these days.

[ChocolateNummies]

If you do use a wrap style carrier, you can pre-tie it in a Front Cross Carry under a coat then you can just pop baby in and out.