How to Keep Babies Warm in the Winter
Dressing them in layers and having the right cold-weather accessories are key
“Get a hat on that baby!” It’s the go-to line for grandmas everywhere, and of course, it holds some truth. It also points to a seemingly simple but actually more complex topic on parents’ minds during the cold, dark depths of winter: keeping babies warm.
It’s not as simple as it seems because babies like to chomp on their fingers and pull their hats over their eyes, and they definitely don’t love keeping blankets on. And while they stand to benefit from cool air, they also might get chilly a bit faster than the adults around them.
When to Pay Attention to Temperature
Parents already have so much to worry about. It can be helpful to compartmentalize by paying special attention to situations in which temperature poses the most risk for babies.
“Some of the trickier times to dress babies are definitely in the night and in the car,” says Nick J. DeBlasio, MD, medical director of pediatric primary care at Cincinnati Children’s in Ohio. “In general, babies should wear one more layer than adults typically do in the winter to keep warm enough, but not too warm.”
Carroll-Manning says the nighttime in winter is when most people should have the most concern about keeping a baby warm, especially between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. “In general, people turn the heat down at night, and the temperatures decrease at night no matter the season,” she says.
While every parent has heard the horror stories of what happens when babies are left in hot cars, the car can similarly be dangerous in cold temperatures in the winter. “They can get cold quickly in an unattended car as well. Bring them inside with you, regardless of how quick you think an errand may be," says Leah K. Middelberg, MD, an emergency medicine physician at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. She adds that if you warm up your car, be sure you back it onto the driveway first and don’t leave it in the garage to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) also recommends moving babies from strollers and car seats to a safe sleeping surface as soon as you can, which will prevent them from getting too hot while all bundled up.
Temperature Matters
Your baby’s specific needs, as well as the temperature, matter greatly in determining just how and when to bundle them up.
“From my experience, babies are like miniature people. Not all want or need gloves or a hat when we aren’t staying outside doing an activity,” Carroll-Manning says. “Many babies get hot with them like us adults do. Following what the baby is telling you through their actions is always best. It helps to learn if your child runs hot or cold in general, too. This way you can prepare for the weather and what will best suit your child.”
Some studies have found that people exposed to cold indoor temperatures of around 64° F and below experience negative health effects, including cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, and problems with sleeping and physical performance. You can try to keep babies in an environment that’s between 68° F and 72° F, DeBlasio says. “It can be challenging to keep this temperature in rooms with a lot of windows without overheating the rest of the house,” he says. “For sleep, I would recommend cotton pajamas and the sleep sack.”
When your baby is outside, dress them in layers to help keep body heat from escaping, Middelberg says. “Hats, gloves, and boots are great in the colder temperatures,” she says. “If a child gets wet, bring them inside, dress them in dry clothes, and let them warm up before returning to outside play. Keep kids as dry as possible because body temperature falls more quickly when wet.”
Avoid Extreme Cold
While babies can enjoy some winter activities in the snow as much as older kids, extreme temperatures can be harmful to their health.
“The younger a child is, the higher their risk of hypothermia is compared to an adult,” Middelberg says. Babies have a higher ability to mobilize sugar and greater glycogen stores. Because they run through their sugar to heat the body, hypothermia can lead to hypoglycemia. Middelberg recommends watching for signs of hypothermia, such as shivering, decreased activity, clumsiness, slurred speech, and confusion.
They also can be at an increased risk for frostbite. “They lose heat from their bodies more rapidly than adults, and they are often reluctant to wear appropriate winter weather attire,” Middelberg says. Frostbite can occur in as little as 30 minutes in wind chills of -16.6° F and when temperatures fall below 5° F, so it’s important to protect yourself and your children if you’re outside. “If a child has some initial symptoms of frostbite, get them inside, dry, and warm. Place affected body areas in warm, not hot, water. If symptoms persist or worsen, seek a medical evaluation.” Symptoms of frostbite in babies include pale, gray, and blistered skin, which tends to happen on extremities like the fingers, toes, ears, and nose, according to the AAP.
Car-seat covers, stroller footmuffs and bunting bags, and other covers add an extra layer of protection against the elements when a blanket seems insufficient. If you have a super-wild baby who you think might fling a blanket over their face in transit, this can also give you a bit more peace of mind.
Shop Smart for Winter Months
If you have a summer baby, those winter months can catch you off guard—when it’s time to swap that stroller fan for a warm blanket or stroller muff, for example. These items can ensure that your baby stays warm in the colder months:
- Stroller covers, blankets, and muffs
- Hats, gloves, and coats
- Sleep sacks or pajamas that are warm enough and/or good for layering if the baby gets too hot
- Longer socks or booties that are harder to lose or take off
“It’s important to remember that coats and car seats don’t mix,” Middelberg says. “If a child has a bulky coat on under their car-seat harness, the belt is not fitted to best protect them.” She suggests dressing babies, toddlers, and young children in thin layers, such as lightweight sweaters or a fleece jacket, with a tucked-in blanket or cover over their snug car-seat harness when placing them in car seats. She also recommends fleece pajamas or sleepers, and says it’s important to keep blankets away from a baby’s face.
Keep It Simple
Though you might find yourself obsessing about the perfect sleep sack or stroller muff, as parents do sometimes, it can help to simplify the process by following your baby’s cues.
“Dress your child similarly to how you dress, plus an extra layer to be sure they’re warm enough,” Middelberg says. “Be sure to remove a layer or two when you bring your child inside [much like you’d take off your coat].”
Just as you check a fussing baby’s diaper or hunger level, you can watch their activity level and mood to see if they might be too hot or cold, DeBlasio adds. “As basic as it sounds, it is really helpful to just touch the baby’s skin,” he says. “If the skin feels hot or sweaty, parents should remove a layer; if the skin is cold, add a layer.”
As with most things, trusting your intuition as a parent, along with a bit of education, can keep your baby safe until spring shows back up and you can lose the extra layers and stress of bundling up.
