If I answer you in one line, then you should dress your baby in thin layers instead of one thick layer. This will help to keep your baby warm without over heating.
Now, I shall explain the reason behind my one liner answer. When you dress your baby in layers, you can add or remove clothing as needed to keep your baby comfortable.
This is important because overheating can be just as dangerous as being too cold.
If you’re not sure how many layers to put on your baby, a good rule of thumb is to dress them in one more layer than you would need to be comfortable.
So, if you are comfortable in a thin leggings or thin tights, put your baby in pants or top as well. If you would need a cardigan or light jacket, put one on your baby too.
In this guide, I will also share with you some general tips on what should baby wear in car seat in winter.
Please remember that every baby is different, so always use your best judgment when it comes to your little one.
what should baby wear in car seat in winter [11 Easy Tips]
As a new parent, you want to do everything right when it comes to your baby. And that includes keeping them warm and safe when traveling in the car during winter.
Dressing your baby for a car ride in winter can be tricky. You don’t want to overheat them, but you also don’t want them to get too cold.
Here are 14 tips to help you dress your baby for a winter car ride:
1. Use Thin Layers
Dressing your baby in thin layers is the best way to keep them warm in the car without over heating them. You can always add or remove layers as needed to keep your baby comfortable.
According to AAP, “If you are not sure how many layers to put on your baby, a good rule of thumb is to dress them in one more layer than you would need to be comfortable.
For example, infants should dress in one more layer than you, if you have a coat and hat on then your infant must have a coat and hat plus a blanket”.
2. Warm Up The Car First
Before putting your baby in the car, start the engine and turn on the heater to warm up the car. This will help to keep your baby warm from the start of the ride.
3. Fit The Car Seat Snug
Make sure the car seat is fitted snugly so that there are no gaps between the seat and your baby.
As per AAP, If you put multiple thin layers on your baby, the car seat straps may become loose. So, it is important to make sure that the straps are tight and secure.
4. Car Seat Cover Rules
If you are using a car seat cover, there are a few rules you should follow to make sure your little one is safe:
Check for an underlayer beneath the cover, or between the cover and your child’s body.
Make sure the harness straps are not covered by the car seat cover.
Remember that just because a product is sold in a store does not mean it is safe to use.
5. Invest in Hoodies
Hoodies are a great way to keep your baby’s head and neck warm without the need for a hat. Look for hoodies that have a built-in hood or ones that can be zipped up all the way to help keep your baby’s face covered.
Remember this should not bulky and this is the best option for toddlers who HATE hats.
6. Put Your Child’s Coat on Backwards
You can still keep your baby warm without using a bulky or thick coat by putting their jacket or coat backwards.
This will help to keep their back warm without adding too much bulk around their chest and hips. But remember, this would be done after buckle them in the car seat.
Read Also: Car Seat In RV: How To Travel In RVs With Your Children
7. Utilize a Car Blanket
A car blanket is a great way to keep your baby warm without having to worry about straps getting loose. You can tuck the blanket around your baby and secure it with the car seat straps.
Just make sure the blanket is not too thick or bulky so that your baby can still move freely in their seat.
You can easily buy 3 feet by 5 feet baby car seat blanket from an online store or a nearby shop. It is advisable to choose a car seat blanket that is made of soft and comfortable fabric like fleece or wool.
8. Consider a “Bundle-Me” Type Product
There are a few different brands that make products specifically for keeping babies warm in the car. These “bundle-me” type products often have a soft outer shell with a warm inner lining.
They can be easily placed over the car seat and secured with the straps. These are thin fleece like material and not too bulky that go around between your child and seat, it looks like a sleeping bag.
9. Unzipped Coat Trick
If you are worried about your baby getting too warm, you can try this trick: put your baby’s coat on unzipped and put the car seat straps over the coat.
This will help to keep your baby’s core warm without trapping heat around their arms and legs. Make sure pull your baby’s coat out from straps after unbuckling to avoid any risk of entrapment.
10. Three in 1 Jackets
3 in 1 jackets are great for keeping your baby warm in the car. These jackets have a removable outer layer that can be taken off once you get in the car.
This will help to keep your baby from getting too hot while still providing warmth during the drive.
You can use this outer layer as blanket for your baby if needed. Make sure jacket must not be too bulky that it does not allow proper movement of child or interfere with the car seat harness.
11. Ponchos
Ponchos are another great option for keeping your baby warm in the car.
These can be easily placed over the car seat and provide full coverage for your baby. Just make sure the poncho is not too bulky or thick so that your baby can still move freely in their seat.
Read Also: Car Seats By Age Group: 4 Stages Of Car Seats For Each Age
Is Your Child’s Coat or Snowsuit Safe for the Car Seat?
No, your child’s coat or snowsuit is not safe for the car seat.
Your child’s coat or snowsuit can actually make it harder for the car seat to do its job. That’s because coats and snowsuits can compress in a crash, leaving your child less protected.
So what’s the best way to keep your child warm and safe in the car seat? The safest way is to dress your child in layers.
As a general rule of thumb, your child should dress in one more layer than you would need to be comfortable yourself.
It is not recommended to put coat or snowsuit underneath the harness of the car seat, as it can compress and reduce the effectiveness of the car seat in a crash.
The coat or snowsuit can also make it more difficult to get a snug, proper fit with the harness.
Read Also: How To Check A Car Seat On A Flight? [A Comprehensive Guide]
Why Is coat compression dangerous in car seats?
If you are using a car seat with a coat on your child, you may be putting them in danger. The coat can compress in a crash, leaving them with less protection than they need.
In fact, even a thin jacket can compress by as much as 80% in a collision.
When coats compress in a crash, they can actually cause the car seat straps to loosen, putting your child at risk of being ejected from the seat.
This is why experts recommend removing coats before putting your child in a car seat.
If you can’t remove the coat, put the coat on backwards so that the arms are in the sleeves and fasten the coat over the lap portion of the harness.
This will help to keep the coat from compressing and putting your child in danger.
Read Also: Car Seat Expiration: How Long Are Car Seats Good For?
What should baby wear in car seat in winter In 2022: FAQs
Can baby wear thin jacket in car seat?
Yes, You can put a thin jacket on your baby when they are in their car seat.
You will just want to make sure that you do not put the straps over the jacket and that you take the jacket off when you get in the car so your baby does not get too hot.
Can baby wear bunting in car seat?
No, you should not put a bunting on your baby when they are in their car seat. The bunting can interfere with the straps and cause your baby to not be as safe in the car seat.
Can baby wear hoodie in car seat?
Yes, You can put a hoodie on your baby when they are in their car seat. You will just want to make sure that you do not put the straps over the hoodie.
The Bottom Line:
When it comes to car safety, there are a lot of different factors to consider. But one of the most important things to think about is what should baby wear in car seat in winter?
There are a few different things to take into account when deciding what to dress your baby in for a car ride in the winter.
The first is making sure that they are warm enough. It’s important to keep in mind that a car can get cold quickly, so you’ll want to make sure that your baby is dressed in warm clothing.
A good way to keep your baby warm is to dress them in thin layers. This way, if the car does get cold, they’ll still have some warmth from the clothing underneath.
In this guide, we’ll share 11 easy tips for what to dress your baby in during the winter months. With these tips, you can be sure that your little one stays safe and warm all winter long.
I hope you found this guide helpful. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. Thanks for reading!
