It's really cold outside, snowflakes are finally falling from the sky, and the first winter forest walks and Christmas market visits are on the horizon. But we certainly don't want to have to drive over bumpy roads and squeeze through crowds of people in a bulky car, do we?
Can I even carry my baby in sub-zero temperatures? But of course, because here it is also called:
Wintertime is cuddle time! Carrying is too!
You should even carry your baby close to your body to keep him warm. In this way, you protect your baby from the cold with your own body heat. Says also Prof. Dr. Med Joachim Gardemann, who already wrote last year the recommendation "Winter advice for parents - carry babies always at your body" for the German red cross.
In a stroller it is often times too cold and this can lead quickly to hypothermia. Indigenous peoples would never think of exposing their baby to freezing temperatures in isolation, pushing it along in some carriage. That would be negligent. Below are some helpful tips to "winterize" your baby. For every budget.
General information about carrying your baby in winter
As a general rule, carry your baby close to your body, in front or on your back. Take it with you under your jacket. Use (recycle!) your old pregnancy coat for this, because where there was room for your pregnancy belly, there is now enough room for your baby.
An extremely inexpensive variant: Just grab your partner's jacket. It's usually cut a little wider and your baby will have enough room underneath for a few months.
Of course, there are also special carrying jackets, vests or ponchos with an extra insert for your baby (back or front) to buy!
I have a wool jacket with a baby insert, and it's wonderful. Or you can get a simple jacket extender system for little money that will turn your own jacket into a babywearing jacket in no time (just zip the insert to your own jacket).
Another option is the baby carrier cover. Just pull it over your baby and go! The warmth will be kept inside.
If you now also pay attention to temperature-regulating, warming materials in the clothing of your baby, nothing can go wrong. This includes, for example, woolen clothing and clothing made from 100% natural materials.
Indispensable are one-piece suits, so-called overalls, preferably with retractable feet. These are often also available for purchase in the city in the usual stores.
Carrying during winter: please avoid the following:
Never use a thick snowsuit under your sling/carrier, because ideally it will fit tightly against you, compressing the heat-retaining chambers. The warming effect is lost. Better you work with the onion principle, there you & your baby are completely flexible.
Wonderfully practical and chic are baby cuffs, which are pulled over the legs, which look out of the sling / carrier. Firstly, nothing cools down and secondly, nothing slips up. Wearing is just stylish!
Finally, I would like to talk about the shoes, because your baby's feet must be kept warm. This works best with lambskin booties or so called carrying boots. Without knowing it, even most baby markets carry these!
Nesthäkchen & Fidella® wish: Happy babywearing!
Guest post by Stefanie Rebou from Trageberatung Nesthäkchen
