best method for cold weather?

Miranda - posted on 04/01/2009

I live in WI where the winters are very cold - I put the ring sling on under my coat and slip him in and out in the car. I have no problem adjusting the sling under my coat. I don't put a jacket on him because he then would overheat in the store. I just cover him with my coat or jacket, if it fits, otherwise carry a small blanket to throw over him while going to and from the car. Wearing him actually keeps us both quite warm outside - have even done some cold weather hiking with him in the sling!

Vanessa - posted on 01/25/2009

I sit in the backseat to get everything arranged. First, I put my sling over my coat, then I put baby boy in. I don't put a coat on baby boy. I drape a heavy blanket over him and walk in. I only do this when I'm parked close and will be able to easily carry the blanket (like in a shopping cart).

Penny - posted on 01/24/2009

Mine doesnt ever wear a coat! She lives in a vest top and leg warmers and socks. She has a muslin over her in the car, or a blanket if it's really cold, then she comes out the car into the sling. She overheats really quickly though, even when it's freezing outside she hates more than one layer on her chest so I use a cardigan in the pram with mittens and booties and a hat, then her chest stays cool and the rest of her is warm. Mostly she just lives in the sling though.

Christine - posted on 01/21/2009

Hi Megan --

My DS is almost three months old and I've used the Hotsling and Moby with him when I'm out and about. The Hotsling not so much anymore; will pull out again for the hip hold when he's older. I've also found the sling comes off my shoulder when I put my coat on.

I just put the Moby on before I leave the house. I don't dress DS in a snowsuit, I figure a light jacket, hat and my body heat (with my fleece jacket zipped around us both) is warm enough for him.

HTH,

Christine

Emily - posted on 01/19/2009

I prefer the wrap for winter. I just put it on under my coat before leaving the house, then leave it on all day. My youngest is currently 12 months and we still use it. She wears a fleece snowsuit instead of a coat and it's not hard to get her in and out of the wrap in that... though I do have to remember to tie it a bit looser than normal.

I also have used mei tais in winter as well... it's a bit harder to get everything tied and adjusted without taking your coat off, but it is possible, and I like mei tais better than wraps for bigger babies.

Sharon - posted on 01/18/2009

Cottonbabies carries a couple of really great-looking items that I wish I had purchased: the Aiska Poncho and the Peekaru.  Maybe they'll be of some use to you.  http://www.cottonbabies.com/index.php?cP...

Jennifer - posted on 01/11/2009

I zip my boy in my coat, too.  With my 1st I'd wear my husband's coat, but with this 1 I had los tso much weight before that my jacket's and coats are too big for just me, lol.  I covered my 1st with a blanket after putting him in the carseat.  With this one, we don't have a car, so when we do use the carseat, which is not too often, we carry him in it wearing a coat.

Rody - posted on 11/24/2008

You could try the carseat coat. It's made to make it easier to get your kid in and out of the carseat and sling. You can find it at slingsandmore.com The woman that makes them lives in North Dakota and it is absurdly cold in the winter. I've heard good things about them. I like her slings, but haven't tried the carseat coat yet, but they look nice.

Megan - posted on 11/24/2008

thanks em! so have you found that you can adjust the rs ok without having to take off your coat when you get the baby in and out? i tried with my ergo (front carry) a couple days ago, and getting her out with my coat on was pretty much impossible.

Elliott - posted on 11/24/2008

Definitely carrier under coat, from what I've heard from babywearing parents in my area. Even though on the Baby Bjorn packages they always show it OUTSIDE the coat. :->

Em - posted on 11/24/2008

Hi Megan -- Someone asked about cold weather and babywearing a bit ago, but I will respond here as well.



For cold weather, I like the RS because it is so quick to get baby in and out of it.



Here's what I do for an outing.

1. Put on RS

2. Put baby in RS (my daughter is about the same age as yours and we are using leg-out tummy to tummy or hip carries - almost the same position)

3. Put my ski jacket around both of us, which has enough room to zip around both me and baby.

4. Put on baby's hat.

5. Grab warm snuggly blanket, diaper bag, wallet, cell phone, spit rag

6. Head for the door

7. Go back for car keys, which I left sitting on the kitchen table

8. Head for the door again

9. Go back for the binky, which I may or may not need, depending on baby's mood and level of sleepiness

10. Head for the door AGAIN

11. When I read the car, unzip my coat, remove baby from RS, strap baby in car seat, and wrap with aforementioned snuggly blanket.



I leave the RS on under my coat and when we arrive at our destination, I can just pop baby back into the sling and zip the coat around us again.



I should mention that they do make coats specially designed for babywearing. They work well for back carries, in particular. I find that a regular coat, generously cut, work just fine, as long as you are wearing on front.



If you are going to be out for awhile and prefer to wear baby on back in the Ergo, you could always just bring it into the store with you, stick the sling in your bag, and get situation where it is nice and warm.