It's extremely important to keep babies and toddlers warm in cold weather. Here are some top tips to help when the weather is cold.
* Keep babies warm by layering. A snowsuit is lovely for those long winter walks, but if you are shopping or in and out of warm places, layers are easier to take on and off. Remember to take off hats and gloves when you are in a warm shop, café, train or bus.
* If you are out walking, remember to keep your baby warm. Most buggies and prams have cosy covers for winter use, just make sure they are warm and protective, rather than fashionable! Keep checking your baby’s temperature too, to make sure they aren’t overheating.
* If you are using a sling, your baby will have the added benefit of your body warmth. Again, keep checking to make sure they aren’t getting too warm.
* Toddlers love this time of year. If we are lucky to have snow or rain, wrap them up warm in an all in one or snow suit with wellies. Make sure they are waterproof to avoid getting their clothes wet and making your active toddler too cold. Make sure those layers are removed when they are back inside.
* In the car make sure babies and toddlers are not wearing thick coats or snowsuits and keep layers to a minimum. Too many layers or thick coats is dangerous because it can leave the harness too loose to be effective in a crash. You may want to put a lightweight blanket on your baby over the top of their car seat until the car warms up.
While you want to keep your baby warm at night if the temperatures are low outside, its important they don’t get too warm. The chance of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) is higher in babies who overheat. It isn’t necessary to keep the heating on at night, just add an extra layer, remembering to check your baby’s temperature often by placing a hand on their tummy or the back of their neck.
If you do decide to keep the heating on, make sure the temperature is between 16-20°C.
Remember no hats, sleeping bags, pillows or duvets on babies as these can pose a suffocation hazard.
For more safe sleeping information, visit our safe sleeping information and the Lullaby Trust website.
* Keep babies warm by layering. A snowsuit is lovely for those long winter walks, but if you are shopping or in and out of warm places, layers are easier to take on and off. Remember to take off hats and gloves when you are in a warm shop, café, train or bus.
* If you are out walking, remember to keep your baby warm. Most buggies and prams have cosy covers for winter use, just make sure they are warm and protective, rather than fashionable! Keep checking your baby’s temperature too, to make sure they aren’t overheating.
* If you are using a sling, your baby will have the added benefit of your body warmth. Again, keep checking to make sure they aren’t getting too warm.
* Toddlers love this time of year. If we are lucky to have snow or rain, wrap them up warm in an all in one or snow suit with wellies. Make sure they are waterproof to avoid getting their clothes wet and making your active toddler too cold. Make sure those layers are removed when they are back inside.
* In the car make sure babies and toddlers are not wearing thick coats or snowsuits and keep layers to a minimum. Too many layers or thick coats is dangerous because it can leave the harness too loose to be effective in a crash. You may want to put a lightweight blanket on your baby over the top of their car seat until the car warms up.
Read our blog on Winter Safety.
While you want to keep your baby warm at night if the temperatures are low outside, its important they don’t get too warm. The chance of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) is higher in babies who overheat. It isn’t necessary to keep the heating on at night, just add an extra layer, remembering to check your baby’s temperature often by placing a hand on their tummy or the back of their neck.
If you do decide to keep the heating on, make sure the temperature is between 16-20°C.
Remember no hats, sleeping bags, pillows or duvets on babies as these can pose a suffocation hazard.