How to Keep Your Baby Warm in Winter

Babies have smaller bodies, which means heat escapes faster. Newborns and young infants have underdeveloped temperature regulation, making it harder for them to adjust to cold weather. Cold stress can also affect their sensitive skin and immunity, leading to dryness, fussiness, and discomfort.

Parents should learn to recognize signs of cold and overheating. A cool chest, pale skin, and irritability usually mean your baby is cold. Sweating, damp hair, and flushed skin are signs of overheating. Always check your baby’s chest or neck to assess body temperature - hands and feet often feel cold naturally and are not reliable indicators.

The safest way to keep babies warm is layering. The base layer should always be soft and breathable - cotton onesies or cotton thermals work best to manage moisture and protect delicate skin. The middle layer provides warmth and includes fleece sweatshirts, sweaters, or hoodies. For colder regions, soft wool blends can be used as long as they are non-itchy

The outer layer is only for outdoor use and protects against wind and cold. Padded jackets, snowsuits, or windproof jackets work well. Accessories like caps, mittens, booties, warm socks, and ear-cover beanies are essential. Avoid bulky layers in car seats, loose scarves, unsafe blankets, or synthetic fabrics directly on the skin.

Indoor warmth is just as important as outdoor dressing. Maintain a room temperature of 20-22°C and keep rooms draft-free. Babies usually need two to three layers indoors, depending on the region and weather. Avoid heavy jackets inside and use cotton plus fleece combinations instead. For floor play and crawling, warm socks or booties and soft mats help prevent heat loss. During winter baths, warm the room beforehand, keep baths short, and moisturize immediately to avoid dry skin.

Outdoors, dress babies with a base layer, fleece, and padded jacket. Use stroller footmuffs instead of loose blankets. For car seats, avoid puffy jackets - dress your baby in thin thermals and fleece, and add a blanket only after strapping them in. At night, follow safe sleep rules: no loose blankets, use sleep sacks or wearable blankets, and ensure your baby is warm but not sweaty. Keep the crib away from drafts and windows.