Keeping Baby Warm

With our famous British climate, it's tricky to know what to dress our little ones in as the weather turns colder. So, rather than struggling with all-in-ones, hats and blankets, we offer some handy tips to keep your baby snug, safe and comfortable.

A newborn baby's ability to regulate body temperature is not yet developed so it's important to make sure they are dressed properly. In winter, babies would need about the same number of layers as you would, both indoors and outdoors. A cold baby would show signs of distress but an overheated baby may be unusually quiet and feel clammy with rosy cheeks.

Dressing your baby for indoors:

A rule of thumb is to ask yourself - how do you feel? If you feel cold and need an extra jumper or cardigan, then the chances are your baby will too. Use layers of clothes. If you have a tiny baby, start with a one-piece vest then a full body baby grow and perhaps a little cardigan and maybe extra socks. Look for clothes that are easy-on, easy-off without too much pulling over the head. Some clothes for newborn or small babies are tiny versions of six month-old clothes but often hugely impractical for smaller babies.

What about when you leave the house?

Make life easy - again, use layers. But think about where you are going once outside, a car journey to the shops won't require as many layers as a long walk in the pram. Winter shops can be very warm and your baby will still be layered, fleeced and wrapped up when you are in a hot shop!

Once dressed in their indoor clothes, a good way of bundling up your baby for a trip outside is to slip on an all-in-one snowsuit. They are very warm and often made of water repellent fabric and easy to get on and off. If you're not a fan of the bulk of a snowsuit, then again, look for layers. Add another cardigan or soft trousers over the baby grow and use extra blankets in the pram or pushchair. A wonderful invention is the sheepskin pram insulator - designed with stroller strap holes - you will have it for years. Remember to check that the blankets don't cover your baby's face.

Most body heat escapes through our heads and this is also true of babies and children. So always put a hat on your baby before going outside. Take some mittens with you in case his hands get cold.

When you get your baby indoors again, more often than not, they're asleep so again, you are looking for easy-off clothes. Leaving a baby to sleep indoors in a blanket, snowsuit and layers will only make him hot so you need to take off a layer of clothing so he won't perspire.

Keeping warm at night?

Be wary of overdressing your baby at night and also using too many blankets. Experts recommend that in order to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), you should put your baby to sleep on his back without pillows, cushions or coverings at all. They also recommend that you do not overheat the room.

A great buy are the ‛sleeping bags' or ‛grow bags' for babies and smaller children. Once in their baby grow or pyjamas, it's easy to slide your sleepy baby into these softly padded or quilted grow bags. They either button over the shoulder or as the baby grows you can also get night-time padded baby grows. They are great alternatives to blankets as the baby can move around without any danger of wriggling underneath the covers.

Try warming a cold cot with a hot water bottle, heating pad or microwaveable bag. Just remember to remove it before your baby goes to bed.

Car tip:

Remember not to dress your baby in bulky clothes when they are in a car seat as the straps need to fit snugly to in order to protect him from a crash. Dress your baby in clothes that will allow you to fit the straps securely between his legs and over his shoulders. If you need extra warmth for your baby in a car, then strap them in first and layer blankets over the top.

Stockists:

Sheepskin pram liners:

www.naturalnursery.co.uk

www.scenegreen.co.uk

Sleeping bags:

www.grobag.com

www.mothercare.co.uk

Baby grows:

www.sugarplumtree.co.uk

www.marksandspencer.co.uk

www.belleandean.co.uk