How to Keep Your Baby Warm and Dry in a Baby Carrier

How do I keep my baby warm in winter?

How should I dress my baby when we go out in the cold?

Does my baby need a snowsuit if they’re in a baby carrier?

And what should I do if starts raining while they’re in the sling?

Here are my top tips for babywearing in the cooler months.

Warm but lightweight all-in-one cotton and fleece suits come in very handy for babywearing, especially if you don’t want to wear a coat yourself.  Opt for lightweight options that provide warmth without bulk, and put them on over 1 or 2 layers of your baby’s regular cotton clothing. 

If a suit covers the feet then it’s a good idea to size up, so that there’s no additional pressure on your baby’s feet when they tuck their legs up.

Or go for something footless – or with optional feet, like these fantastic all-in-one suits from Loud +Proud, matched with these brilliant babywearing booties from Mamalila.

1. INVEST IN A BABYWEARING COAT

Babywearing jackets come with removable babywearing and maternity panels, so you can use them during pregnancy AND as an everyday coat when you’re not carrying.

With these jackets, there’s no need to dress your baby in bulky outdoor clothes: simply keep your baby in indoor clothing and simply pop the jacket over both of you.

So much easier than trying to put a carrier on OVER your own coat – which is guaranteed to make you sweat and overheat as soon as you step indoors!

From lightweight all-year options like the much-loved Mamalila Softshell Jacket, the teddy-fleece line Mamalila Winter Jacket, through to the snuggly, winter-weight Wallaby Babywearing Coat and many more styles in between – there are so many coats to choose from.

And not to leave Dad out, we also love the parka-style Bandicoot Babywearing Coat, and the Mamalila Softshell Jacket for men.

2. AVOID SNOWSUITS – UNLESS IT’S LITERALLY FREEZING!

Snowsuits and thick, padded pram suits are best avoided when babywearing. The big puffy garment makes it hard to tell how warm your baby is and they’re more likely to overheat.

Remember it’s harder to get your sling or carrier fitting accurately, tightly and safely around a baby who is wearing a big puffy suit.

This is especially critical with very young babies: if the sling is not snug and safe then the baby’s posture and airways may not be adequately supported and protected.

As per advice relating to car seats – slings need to fit snugly around your baby’s body, not their clothing. 

For a comfortable fit, slings need to hug the contours of your body too – another good reason to wear young babies inside your outdoor clothing.

However, if you’re wearing a bigger baby or toddler, especially if they’re alternating between splashing in muddy puddles and being carried, wearing them over your coat might be a more sensible solution.

You’ll keep each other warm so you’re unlikely to need arctic wear, but woollen jumpers and thin coats (think layers, not bulk) for you both, if you’re off to a muddy park, may be a good idea.

3. PROTECT THOSE EXTREMITIES

A pair of leg warmers, leggings or tights will stop little legs from getting too chilly. Check out our favourites from Hoppediz. Remember to pop a hat, snood or hood onto your baby, as this is likely to be the most exposed part of their body.

And to keep little pre-walking feet warm, we cannot rave enough about these waterproof, windproof quilted booties from Mamalila. We’ve been searching for year for sling-friendly booties that actually stay on – and these really do the job!

4. BRILLIANT BABYWEARING COVERS

In wet months – that’s August to May in the UK! – carry a lightweight babywearing cover or umbrella, along with a hat for your baby.

Covers like the Mamalila All Rounder Softshell Babywearing Cover, Bundlebean Fleece-lined Cover and the super lightweight Bundlebean Babywearing Raincover are a brilliant keep-in-your-bag options.

These waterproof baby carrier covers come in so handy throughout the year. The ZipUsIn universal coat extension panel is a nifty alternative too, fitting both mens and womens coats, though it is a little more fiddly to fit.

A giant transparent umbrella can also be brilliant to keep you both dry AND stop you from bumping into people on the pavement!

So: stay dry, stay cool, think LAYERS. Here’s more advice on babywearing safety. 

Babywearing Coats

Keep carrying in all weathers in our Babywearing Coats and Jackets from Mamalila and Wombat & Co. Fit over ALL baby carriers and slings! Suitable for front and back carrying, during pregnancy, and everyday.

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Updated September 2022