How to keep your newborn baby warm in winter weather

It is safe for babies to go outside in the winter if they are protected from the cold and rain. In fact, learning how their bodies respond to the cold is a healthy part of newborn development. Taking your newborn outside in the fresh air and bright colors can also calm a fussy baby.

However, babies are more sensitive to cold temperatures than adults, and they can’t always communicate their discomfort. It’s important to plan for your baby’s needs when it’s cold, both indoors and outdoors. Learn more about how to keep your baby warm in the winter months.

Why babies are more vulnerable to the cold

Your newborn baby’s body is still getting used to living outside the womb. The surface of a baby’s body is larger than their weight, and many babies don’t have much body fat to keep them warm. Their bodies also haven’t learned how to regulate temperature well. This makes a baby more vulnerable to harm from cold temperatures.

Signs of hypothermia in newborns

Hypothermia describes when someone’s body temperature drops to abnormally low levels. This can happen after exposure to freezing temperatures or if someone gets wet and stays cold. Hypothermia is a dangerous condition, and if left untreated, it can cause organ shutdown and death. Symptoms of hypothermia include:

• Shivering
• Pale, cool skin on the back, belly or chest (not just cold hands or feet)
• Very low energy
• Inability to sleep
• Slow breathing

If a baby becomes too cold, immediately take them indoors to warm them up. Replace any wet clothing and hold the baby close to you. If a baby becomes lethargic or non-responsive, or their lips or face turn blue, seek immediate medical attention.

How to dress an infant in winter

Use layers

Dress your newborn baby in layers of clothing during cold-weather months. By using layers, you can adjust the clothing as you move in and out of the cold and heat. A good rule of thumb is to dress your baby in one more layer than you would wear. For example, if you wear a sweatshirt under a winter coat, do the same for your baby and add a onesie underneath.

Remove layers in the car

Always remove your baby's winter coat before strapping them into a car seat. A puffy or slippery coat adds extra space between your baby’s body and the safety harness. In an accident, this can allow the baby to slip out of the safety harness.

Pre-heat the car

Start your car to warm it up before you bring your baby outside. This offers a comfortable space to remove your baby’s coat, which you can drape over the harness.

Use car seat covers safely

Like a winter coat, a car seat cover should only be used over the top of a fastened safety harness. It should never fit between your baby and their car seat or buckle. Be sure to leave the baby’s face uncovered so they have proper air flow and check to be sure they do not overheat.

Pay attention to signs of overheating

While you want to keep your baby warm, be sure not to overheat them with too many layers. When you arrive somewhere warm, remove a layer. Look for flushed or red skin and sweating as signs that your baby is too warm.

Moisturize baby’s skin

Just like you, your baby’s skin can dry out in the cold winter months. To keep your baby from developing dry, irritated skin, give your baby short, lukewarm baths using fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, non-soap cleansers. After patting the baby dry with a towel, use a cream or ointment to lock in the moisture. You can also add a humidifier to the nursery to add moisture to the air while the baby sleeps.

How to plan a safe winter outing for your baby

Introduce cold weather slowly

Plan to introduce your baby to the cold weather on mild days. Begin with brief winter outings. Avoid or minimize time outside if the temperature or wind chill is below freezing. It’s also good to avoid cold rain or wind.

Safely cover a stroller

You can keep your baby warm in a stroller by covering your baby with a lightweight blanket or by using a cover designed to fit your stroller. The main concern here is to be sure there’s air flow for your baby and they don’t get too warm in a covered stroller. Check your baby to make sure their face isn’t covered and they aren’t overheated.

Safely add a hat and mittens

Gloves, hats and mittens are a great way to keep your baby warm without adding bulky layers in the car seat. Be sure you do not cover your baby’s face so they can breathe easily. Also, check to see if your baby has chewed on a mitten and remove any cold, wet layers.

Wearing your infant in a baby carrier

Wear your baby in a carrier to share your body heat. Just be sure your heavy winter clothes do not smother their face. Also, be careful walking on ice.

How to keep your baby warm at night

While it may seem obvious to take precautions with your baby outdoors in wintertime, a baby can also get hypothermia from sleeping in a cold bedroom.

Dress them warmer than you

The American Academy of Pediatrics doesn’t recommend a specific room temperature for babies but says you should consider the temperature when dressing a baby for sleep. This is another good time to dress your baby in one more layer than you would wear comfortably.

Practice safe sleep habits

There are other ways to dress a newborn for sleep in the winter while also practicing safe sleep habits:

• Avoid any blankets, pillows or items that can cover the baby’s face
• Dress them in a wearable blanket called a sleep sack.
• Swaddle a baby in a lightweight blanket until they show signs of rolling over. Once this happens, do not swaddle during sleep because the baby could suffocate.
• Do not place a baby down to sleep next to heaters, fireplaces or in direct sunlight. The baby cannot move away if the temperature becomes uncomfortable.

Cover hands and feet

It’s normal for babies’ hands and feet to feel cool because their circulatory system is still developing and prioritizing their vital organs first. If you want to keep your baby’s hands warm at night, you can use a sleep sack or pajamas with built-in cuffs that fold over their hands.

Taking your baby outside into the cold for the first time may feel like it requires a lot of planning. When you begin with safe steps, they will become habits over time. Stick to dressing your baby in layers, keeping outdoor trips brief and checking their body temperature by feeling their chest, back or tummy. If you have a question about protecting your baby from the cold, ask your pediatrician. Being aware of your newborn’s needs can help keep them safe in cold weather.