How to Go Outside With a Baby in Freezing Temps

Keep your baby warm when it's cold outside.

While it's perfectly normal to want to keep your little one as warm and comfortable within the confines of a heated home as possible, sometimes it simply isn't possible. If you find yourself having to take your baby outside into the freezing cold weather, keeping your bundle of joy bundled is top priority. While cold temperatures alone won't make your baby sick, it will make her uncomfortable, and too much exposure can lead to other complications such as hypothermia. Taking a few minutes to bundle your little one will keep her not only comfortable, but safe.

Things You'll Need

• T-shirt
• Long-sleeved shirt and warm pants
• Warm socks
• Shoes
• Snow suit
• Hat
• Mittens
• Blanket

Instructions

1. Put a t-shirt on your baby to add an extra layer of warmth underneath his clothing.

2. Dress your baby in a warm long-sleeved shirt and pants. Opt for clothing with heavy material such as wool to help keep the warmth in.

3. Cover your baby's feet with thick warm socks and shoes.

4. Dress your baby in a snowsuit over her clothing. Snow suits are thick and warm and are big enough to go over your child's warm clothing.

5. Cover your baby's head with a warm hat if the snowsuit doesn't have a hood.

6. Fit mittens snugly onto your child's hands.

7. Wrap a warm blanket around your baby to help keep warmth in.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep your baby close to you as much as possible for body heat.

• If you are traveling by car warm it up before bringing your baby outside. If wrapping your baby in a blanket makes it difficult to strap him into the car seat, strap him in first and place the blanket over the straps.

• Do not bundle your baby so tightly as to prevent circulation. Watch for signs of discoloration such as a bluish especially around the lips.

• Keep a close eye on your baby while out in cold weather. Shivering and low energy are signs of too much exposure to the cold. Limit the time your baby is exposed to the freezing temperatures as much as possible.

References

• The University of Alabama at Birmingham: Cold Weather Safety
• University of Washington: Caring for Your Baby
• Ohio State University: General Care for Your Baby
• University of Georgia; Baby Bouncer - Working Mothers; Don Bower, et al.; 1986
• University of Georgia; Satying Warm in the Winter and Cool in the Summer; Jackie Dallas, et al.