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Babywearing techniques for winter
Babywearing is growing in popularity. But Canadian parents who want to use this approach have a challenge: coping with winter weather
Safety should be your number one concern, says Britt Pegan, mother of three and owner of Milkface Nursingwear, which sells carriers. “The slogan we use is that your baby should be ‘visible and kissable’ — in an upright position with her face near yours.” Health Canada spokesman Gary Holub elaborates: “Caregivers should ensure that the baby’s face is always visible, free of obstructions and above the fabric of the sling at all times. Ensure that your baby is in a slightly slanted or upright position, and check often.”
Requirements don’t change in winter. Here are some ways to safely wear your baby, while also bundling up against the cold:
Inside your coat
Put your little guy, in his indoor clothes, inside the wrap or carrier. Put a hat on him. “Your baby is warmed by your body heat, so don’t overdress him,” says Pegan.
Put on a large coat (such as a maternity coat) on yourself. Do up the coat partway so you can still see the top of your baby’s head and his face. Holub adds: “Do not zip up a coat around a baby in a sling or soft carrier. Babies have suffocated.”
Mittens and warm socks or slippers will help keep your baby’s hands and feet warm if they peek out. You can also tuck or safety-pin a blanket around the sides of the carrier for an extra layer of warmth. Watch your baby to make sure he’s not too hot or cold. Touch his cheek or nose occasionally, or check his neck to see if he’s sweating.
Look online for babywearing coats, vests and ponchos that can be worn over a carrier.
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What do you think?
Amy (not verified) says ....
As the co-founder of Mamasupial Montréal, I have successfully worn two kids through their first two winters without any snowsuits for them. Even with our winters of -28C before windchill, my baby never had cold hands or feet, safely tucked inside my Felix Pera babywearing coat. Direct contact with baby inside the coat, with both of us wearing a bare minimum of clothing to facilitate sharing of body heat was key to our success. Multiple layers were wrapped around both of us for extra cold days. Good luck and stay warm! Beats pushing a stroller in the snow and slush any day!