Infant Snowsuits - What's the Best Way to Keep Your Newborn Warm This Winter?

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Are Infant Snowsuits the Best Way to Keep Your Newborn Baby Warm This Winter?

If you live in a cold weather climate as we do (in Minnesota), infant snowsuits are a great item to have on hand. However, don’t assume that you MUST have one.

An infant snowsuit is most needed when your baby will be outside in cold temperatures for an extended period of time.

When my first baby was born, I thought that a snowsuit was a must. I dutifully bundled him up every time we took him out during the winter, buckled him into his car seat, and covered him with blankets.

Somewhere amidst the next few babies, I got a little smarter.

A lightweight infant snowsuit is more useful for everyday, and is ultimately safer for your baby.

While a thick snowsuit can be useful for outdoor activities, it should not be used when your baby is in his car seat. The extra padding will make the proper fit of the car seat harness less than safe. In the event of an accident, the extra padding may compress and allow for the possibility of your baby being ejected.

This is also true of thick, infant car seat covers (such as sheepskin covers, and very popular fleece baby buntings). These are the types of cover that go between your baby and either the harness or the back of the car seat. This makes the restraint less effective. Using them may void the car seat manufacturer’s warranty.

So what is the best way to keep your newborn baby warm when the weather is frigid?

You may choose to use a lightweight snowsuit, a warm hat, and then layer blankets over the car seat.
You may put a warm sweater and hat on your baby, then swaddle him, leaving the legs free so that you may buckle the car seat properly. Follow this up with a couple layers of blankets tucked around the baby. (See more about swaddling babies here.)
There are a number of carrier covers that attach to the car seat providing additional protection even on a blustery day.
Warm up your car before taking your baby from the house, especially on very cold days.
Remember that the infant car seat itself serves as a layer of warmth and protection.
Another benefit of using multiple layers of lighter weight material is that as the temperature changes in the vehicle (or when you arrive at your destination), you can simply remove as many layers as necessary to make the baby comfortable without needing to remove the sleeping newborn from his carseat.

Note: Always make sure your baby’s face is protected from the wind and cold. A carrier cover that attaches to the car seat will best withstand the wind, but a blanket over the baby’s face will also work. However, do not leave any covering over your baby's face for extended periods of time, as restriction of air flow has been thought to be a contributor to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).