Cold Weather Tips and Tricks
The time has come. The days are getting shorter, and the air is getting crisper (if you don’t live in a scorching desert like me). Fall is upon us, and that can only mean one thing in my book, time to plan winter vacation! It can be daunting to travel somewhere cold with a baby if you don’t normally live in a cold climate. But with proper planning and some gear, you can keep baby warm and your cold-weather trip will be a breeze.
Read on for my top tips and gear suggestions for cold-weather baby travel, and if you are visiting somewhere new, be sure to check out this post on how I plan my trips.
Nicole Abiad
Expat, Mother, Traveler, Educator
I am a seasoned traveler with a firm belief that adventure doesn’t stop at parenthood! Through advice, reviews, and research, I hope to help you continue your adventures and share the gift of travel with your family!
Keeping Warm in a Baby Carrier
First, I highly suggest investing in a good baby carrier if you do not already have one. The Lillebaby is my personal favorite. You can read more about my love for this carrier here. Yes, it is possible to keep baby warm in a stroller, and I will talk more on that subject later in this post, but there is nothing cozier for baby than being snuggled up with Mom or Dad (or anybody) inside a carrier.
Pro-tip for maximum warmth, buy a baby carry coat. These coats expand to reach around the carrier cocooning your little one inside with you. My choice is the Mamalila Wool Babywearing Coat because it includes inserts for front wearing, back wearing, and pregnancy, or it can be worn without an insert for days you are not wearing. It is an all-in-one coat you can wear for your entire trip. It is a bit expensive, so here and here are a couple of other fantastic-looking options.
If you don’t want to purchase a new coat, then baby carrying outside your coat is another great option. Just make sure your little one is bundled up too!
Keeping Warm in a Stroller
I recommend buying a bunting bag for stroller time. It’s like a thermal sleeping bag on the move. I have personally used two different versions, the JJCole Bundle Me when my daughter was a baby and the Skip-Hop Stroll and Go when she was a toddler. If you know you will only use this in very cold climates, then I recommend the JJCole version. It is the thick, warm, cozy cocoon of your dreams. If you think you will be using it in varying degrees of cold, then the Skip-Hop version has a zip-off top fluff layer allowing more ventilation and versatility.
Yes, you can bundle up with blankets in the stroller, but blankets fall and get tangled. Bunting bags are secured in the stroller, so even the wiggliest of children will stay covered and warm.
Layers
I’m sure you already know the importance of layers in cold weather, but it is essential to think about with young children. It can be annoying, but layers will probably need to be removed when using either the baby carrier or stroller keeping warm methods. If you are using a baby carry coat then your coat is the baby’s coat. It gets hot in there, so they only need primary layers. Have a heavier coat/pants on hand for when you take your baby out of the carrier/coat. The same goes for bunting. However, if you have a child like mine who wants to have their hands free, they may need to keep wearing a heavier coat in the stroller. And no shame if they won’t keep their gloves on – you tried your best mama.
Backpack
If you just read the previous section and wondered how on earth you will carry layers and diapers and baby essentials while you are also bundled up, then let me introduce you to my favorite travel baby backpack, the Bag Nation Diaper Backpack. No, it’s not as cute as those stylish designer baby bags, but it can hold everything. So many pockets! Plus, the material is flexible and comfortable to wear, and water-resistant. The black color also means even the most squeamishly masculine male partners will feel good wearing it too.
Final Thoughts
Armed with the above tips and a sense of adventure, I know your winter vacation is bound to be a success. Remember, even if your baby can’t remember this, you will, and those memories are priceless.
