Traveling with a baby anywhere is an event, but in the winter it can be even more challenging. Aside from the everyday needs of your infant, when traveling you have to make sure you are keeping your baby sufficiently warm, whether in the car or a winter cabin. Factor the winter weather conditions of your current location and final destination into what you pack for the trip and what you may need to purchase for your little one. Keeping safety and your baby's comfort first are essential to a successful winter trip with your little one.
Things You'll Need
- Long-sleeved bodysuits
- Sweaters
- Leggings
- Pants
- Socks
- Footed pajamas
- Soft-soled shoes
- Snowsuit or bunting
- Wearable blanket
- Diapers and wipes
- Milk and baby food
- Car seat
- High-quality stroller, optional
- Winter-weather baby carrier, optional
Tips For You
- Include cold weather clothing and accessories in your baby's diaper bag. It's a good idea to pack two full outfits per day for your baby, unless you will be able to do laundry at your destination. Include long-sleeved body suits, a few lightweight sweaters, pants, socks, footed fleece pajamas and soft-soled shoes. You also want to pack a snowsuit or bunting if you plan to take your baby out briefly in snowy conditions, along with a warm hat and blankets to cover them in a stroller. A wearable zip-up blanket is also ideal to keep the baby safely warm at night in a home you are visiting that may be drafty or that is not heated well.
- Pack food and diapers so that they're easily reachable in the diaper bag. When your baby's fussy and crying in the car or on a plane, no matter what the weather, you don't want to have to dig to the bottom of the bag to find what you need. Take advantage of the side pockets most diaper bags come with to store a bottle or two and a couple of diapers and wipes.
- Dress your baby in layers on the day of travel. Chances are you'll be going from indoors to outdoors frequently when you are traveling, and the temperatures in different buildings can change drastically. Keep the layers light, breathable and easy to take off, such sweatpants or jeans over leggings, and a long-sleeved shirt and light sweater over top of a bodysuit. Experts with the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends dressing babies in one more layer than you put on yourself in winter weather.
- Place your baby in the car seat without a coat or anything bulky for car travel. Coats and after-market car seat covers that go over the back of the car seat restrict the harness from properly securing your baby. The bulkiness makes the harness too loose, which increases the risk that your child could be thrust forward from the seat in a crash, according to Dr. Benjamin Hoffman. Place no more than a lightweight sweater on your baby before putting him in the car seat. Once he is strapped in, you can keep your baby warm with blankets or by laying his coat over him. You can also find safe car seat covers that go over only the top of the car seat after the baby is strapped in, providing better protection from the cold without interfering with the harnesses.
- Take along a -quality, preferably lightweight stroller ideal for cold weather walks, if possible. If you plan on short walks or excursions outdoors on your trip you'll want a stroller that can easily cover your baby, blocking out the cold and wind, and has wheels that can handle a little snow with ease. If you prefer baby-wearing carriers, some stores and online retailers offer baby carriers made of warm and insulating materials that cover the baby from feet to neck. Another option includes warm ponchos you can wear over yourself and your baby in the carrier.
- Monitor your baby's level of coldness when you are outside. Whether you are just going for a brief walk or you want to introduce your baby to the world of snow, remember that babies cannot regulate their body temperature the way adults can and can't tell you how cold they are. Check his face, ears, fingers and toes for signs of coldness and take him back inside if he feels cold or looks uncomfortable.
