Brrr, it is cold out there! Most days at the moment are cold, wet, stormy or even icy. And yet: you and your baby need fresh air: you need a walk to blow away the cobwebs, you need to take the dog out, or take older siblings to the playground… It's important that your baby - and of course you - stay warm and dry. A baby carrier is an ideal way to do this, as you can easily monitor your little one’s temperature and keep them protected from all weather conditions. However, there are a few things to bear in mind when wearing a baby carrier in winter to ensure that your baby gets enough air and doesn't overheat. For more information on how to dress your baby correctly in a baby carrier, see our top 5 tips for babywearing in winter.
But what if it's really hammering it down outside or you simply want some proper weather protection? Just to make sure that your baby's arms, legs and head are fully protected from the cold and wet... Then trust us when we say that a baby carrier cover is worth the investment. Or, if you want something that you can use for years to come in all weathers then you could consider a babywearing coat? But what exactly are the advantages and disadvantages of each option and are there any other alternatives? That's what today's blog is all about. Because we want you to be well informed when it comes to how you can keep your baby warm in winter.
Baby carrier cover, babywearing coat etc., an overview of weather protection for baby carriers
Anyone travelling with a baby carrier in winter temperatures or simply in uncomfortable rainy weather is well advised to use additional weather protection. The main options are:
- A baby carrier cover: These are attached to the baby carrier itself.
- A babywearing jacket: These are designed so that your baby carrier fits conveniently under your jacket
- Coat extension: These allow you to convert your own jacket into a babywearing coat.
- The coat hack: This works in a similar way to the coat extension but using your little one’s own coat as the extension.
Let's take a closer look at the individual weather protection systems:
Rain or all weather covers for baby carriers
Is it raining or cold or both together but you still want to get outside with your little one? Then an Ergobaby weather cover is our number one choice.
The Ergobaby Rain and Wind Cover is an unlined babywearing cover with a lightweight, water-repellent outer layer and a generous ventilation insert for the necessary air circulation. It can be used for both inward facing and outward facing - regardless of what type of coat or jacket the babywearer is wearing. It works like this: You put the carrier on under your jacket, then attach the carrier cover to the shoulder straps of the carrier with just a few clicks, put your baby's feet into the foot pockets and pull them tight. You can also put a reversible hood on your little one. You also have the option of putting your hands in two practical pockets on the front. When the babywearing cover is no longer needed, it packs right down into the bag supplied, which you can even attach to the hip belt of the baby carrier.
The Ergobaby All Weather Cover works in the same way as the rain cover and can be attached to all Ergobaby baby carriers as well as some carriers from other brands. The quilted outer layer of the winter cover is also water and wind repellent, but the inner lining is also made of cosy fleece. The pockets for the wearer(s) are also lined with warm fleece to keep your hands toasty warm. This carry cover can also be stowed in its integrated pocket. Both weather protection systems are suitable for children from 0-2 years of age.
A babywearing coat
If you bought a maternity coat, then once baby arrives and is in your baby carrier, you might find you can keep using it a little while longer to fit round both of you (always make sure baby’s airways are kept clear / uncovered). But at some point it’s just not going to go around you and your little love any more. And that's exactly why you can buy a babywearing coat. Some even double up so you can use it from maternity through to babywearing! They come in all kinds of materials and colours including plenty of unisex options. They usually come with a baby / carrier insert that you attach to the zip of the jacket to extend it and some models also have a zip at the back so that you can also carry your baby in the baby carrier on your back - under the jacket which is a real winner from around 6-months-old. You can also wear them without an insert just as an ordinary jacket. So there’s plenty of pros there but what about the cons?
The main disadvantage of a babywearing coat is the cost. They are often pricey and another thing on the list with all the purchases you have made. It might be tricky (but maybe not impossible!) to find one that will both fit you and a partner and last you through multiple seasons.
Converting your existing winter coat into a babywearing coat
If you don’t think a dedicated babywearing coat would be worth it for you then there’s a clever interim solution to convert your own coat(s) into a babywearing coat. You can do this in different ways:
The first option is a special carrier insert or jacket extension. You can buy these online or in a shop and attach them to the zip of your jacket using an adapter. The adapter is necessary because every jacket has different zip systems. If you're lucky, the same adapter will fit several of your jackets. If this is not the case, you will have to buy another (inexpensive) adapter. That way, you'll be equipped for several seasons or weather conditions with just a few items. This is cheaper and more sustainable than buying one or more babywearing jackets.
However, a brilliant and inexpensive babywearing hack is this one: You take your child's jacket and attach it to your jacket or to the carrier. If the zips of your coat and your child's coat are compatible, you can simply attach both jackets to each other and have a hooded carry cover in no time at all. If the zips do not match, you can pull the shoulder straps of the carrier through the sleeves and attach the jacket to the carrier. If both jackets have Velcro fasteners, you can then seal the gaps a little. See how here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FjCofiC_6vKu-f90Rc6LefD9bHpRfyuL/view?usp=sharing
This version is definitely the cheapest, but has the following limitations: Your luck has to hold for the zip of baby’s coat to fit your winter jacket. If the baby jacket is also really tiny, it will only reach the necessary height to protect your child from uncomfortable weather to a limited extent. What's more, you won't be able to tighten the jacket at the bottom and will have to take extra care to ensure that your little one's feet don't get cold. But it's worth a try!
Babywearing coat or baby carrier cover - a matter of taste
Whether you protect yourself and your little one from the wind and weather with a specially made baby carrier cover, babywearing coat or with the help of some kind of babywearing insert is ultimately up to you. Weather protection for baby carriers needs to be well thought out. It should keep your baby nice and warm and dry, be easy to use and compatible with many of your jackets and those of other wearers. It should also ensure that your baby's face, and therefore their airways, are kept completely clear at all times so that you can keep an eye on your little one. We hope this overview helps you find something practical and suitable that both you and baby will benefit from for a long time.