In winter, babies need about the same number of layers as adults, indoors or out.
Newborns can't regulate body temperature very well, so you need to pay special attention to how they are dressed. Baby snowsuits are one of the warmest options available in winter wear, and there are some really gorgeous ones on the market.
Snowsuits are fab for taking baby out for extended trips into the outdoors, for walks or shopping, and look lovely, but they can be inconvenient for nappy changes and quick trips, and may be too thick to be safe in baby's car seat. Winter coats are much easier to take on and off your baby, but for extended outdoor activities they won't provide full-body coverage in the same way a baby snowsuit does.
Consider how you will use baby's winter wear most often before deciding whether to buy a standard winter coat or baby snowsuit, and also look at coats or snowsuits with removable liners that can extend the life of the baby clothes. These will allow you to dress baby in them over Autumn and even Spring months, assuming they still fit! Your baby will also need a warm hat and gloves although most snowsuits come with mittens and a hood attached.
If your baby tends to kick his or her blankets off during the night, you may want to invest in a baby 'sleeping bag'. One of the leading brands around is Gro-Bag but the prices can vary so shop around.
Finally, make sure your baby's feet are warm when you're out and about. Try to avoid hard or close-fitting shoes or boots before they are walking as babies' feet need plenty of room to grow and move around. If you're inside and it's warm, try to keep their feet bare whenever possible because they get a lot of sensory information through their feet.
When you're out, if your baby has a snowsuit it probably has booties attached. Otherwise, you can buy some really cute booties that are soft and warm. very.co.uk has some really sweet ones, like a ladybird set that come with a matching hat for only £8.
October 2010
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