There’s a chill in the air and the winter months are just around the corner.
Can I be honest and say that the coldest months are hands down the most challenging time to dress a baby? With a little one at home, it’s easy to feel like the cold keeps you cooped up inside until spring’s arrival, but here’s another honest truth: with the right winter baby clothes handy, it definitely doesn’t have to be that way. Not only is getting outdoors in nature good for everyone, it can be a whole new level of fun to watch your baby take in their first snowy experience.
So let us help you get prepared for winter with a little one. From base layers and baby snowsuits to sleepers and wearable blankets, we’ve found the best baby gear for winter 2021 and 2022.
- The Best Sleep `n Play: 4-Pack Baby Neutral Animal Sleep 'N Plays
- The Most Eco-Friendly Sleep Bag: Baby Bamboo Sleep Bag
- The Most Versatile Sleepsack: HALO Sleepsack Swaddle
- The Best Baby Bunting: Patagonia Furry Friends
- Best Baby Booties: Zutano Cozie Fleece Booties
- The Best Leggings: Wool H&M Leggings
- Best Stay-in-Place Mittens: Zutano Baby Fleece Mittens
- Best Winter Baby Socks: H&M Wool Blend Socks
- Best Hat + Mitten Set: H&M Hat + Mittens Set
- Best Hood for Warmth: Cotton Balaclava
The Best Sleep `n Play
4-Pack Baby Neutral Animal Sleep 'N Plays
With those winter months, comes the advent of dressing your baby a little more warmly during the night (and hey, we don't judge--these work great for all-day play too!). Personally, as a mom of many littles, I've loved these cozy 100% cotton sleepers from Gerber. They're just warm enough without me having to worry about overheating and there's just something about that classic look that reminds me of that special time with babies.
The Most Eco-Friendly Sleep Bag
Baby Bamboo Sleep Bag
The nice thing about this bamboo sleep bag is that it's perfect for year-round use. 95% sustainable bamboo rayon (and 5% spandex) will keep your little one warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Plus, it's incredibly eco-friendly, fairtrade certified, and sustainably made in India without the use of fertilizers and pesticides.
The Most Versatile Sleepsack
HALO Sleepsack Swaddle
From birth to 6 months, the HALO Sleepsack Swaddle is designed to make sure your baby is sleeping comfortably in their crib without compromising on safety. Slip your baby into the sleepsack and then wrap them up snuggly, securing their arms with a Velcro wrap. Once they’re moving a little more, you can swaddle their hands up against their chin or swaddle with one arm or both arms out. Halo Sleepsack Swaddles also have a roomy bottom half, mitigating the risks of hip problems associated with poor swaddling.
The Best Baby Bunting
Patagonia Furry Friends Infant Bunting
It probably doesn’t come as a surprise that a well-loved outdoor brand like Patagonia made the top of our list. It’s hard to argue with the quality and warmth of the products they sell. We deemed the Patagonia Baby Furry Friends Bunting as the best for everyday wear because it provides plenty of warmth without the bulk of a snowsuit. Even better, this is a purchase you can feel really good about. It’s made from 100% recycled polyester and it’s fair trade certified. It’s cute as heck too and available in pink, cream, taupe, and animal print with ears and a tail.
Best Baby Booties
Zutano Cozie Fleece Booties
Whether you plan to spend a lot of time outside as a family or want a cozy option for cold mornings at home, these sweet fleece-lined booties are seriously warm. Even if you have a non-walker, you’re going to want some soft and cozy baby snow boots to keep those little toes warm. The Zutano Cozie Fleece Booties also have a flexible fit, slide on easily and can be tightened at the ankle with snap closures. They are available in sizes 3 to 24 months and you can choose from colors like heather grey, lilac, or navy blue. And plus, they're easy to clean: just toss them in the washing machine.
The Best Leggings
Wool H&M Leggings
A base layer is exactly what it sounds like—a first layer that adds an extra of warmth underneath your clothes. Wool is one of the best materials you can go with when choosing a base layer because it naturally wicks moisture from sweat away from the body. Typically, I’ve shopped secondhand for base layers for my kids since they $75 to $100 for set. I was so impressed when I saw the affordable, 100% merino wool leggings available from H&M this year. Even if your plan for winter is a lot of time inside, something this cozy will get plenty of wear. Don’t forget to grab the matching bodysuit!
Best Stay-in-Place Mittens
Zutano Baby Fleece Mittens
Let’s be honest: baby mittens are kind of a headache to get and keep on, so when searching for a pair of mittens for my new baby, my priority was finding something warm and something wearable. The Zutano Baby Fleece Mittens check both of those boxes, plus they’re super cute. The two mittens are attached by a string that can loop through a jacket, bunting, or coat. The mittens are thumb-free saving parents from the headache of getting them on just right. The mittens are available in one size meant for ages 0 to 6 months and you can choose from 11 different colors, including cranberry, navy, and lilac.
Best Winter Baby Socks
H&M Wool Blend Socks
As much as I hate to cover those adorable baby toes, these Thick Wool Socks from H&M look ideal for keeping baby feet warm. Made from wool and acrylic, they actually look like something your grandma might have knit you.
Best Baby Hat + Mitten Set
H&M Hat + Mittens Set
How cute is this hat and mittens set from H&M? If you're a new mom, you'll soon learn how impossible it can feel to keep a hat and glove set intact--they're a lot like socks and one tends to get lost very easily. So having a matching pair right from the get-go is very convenient. You do have the option of tying this hat on babies who tend to dislodge hats, but the strings are light enough to be used untied as well. Another plus? The two smallest sizes come thumb-free so no fighting impossibly small thumbs and fingers into place.
Best Hood for Warmth
Cotton Balaclava
For the times you need a little more protection from the elements, H&M offers a warm + cozy balaclava, which if you're like me and misread that as "baclava," sadly, I have to inform you, it's not the same thing. However, the comfort this adorable teddy bear hood will give your baby is even better than the flaky pastry. It comes in two colors, sizes all the way from preemie to 4T, and it's made of 100% cotton inside and out.
Frequently Asked Questions
How should I dress my baby to sleep in the winter?
The same rules apply for dressing a baby for sleep in the winter. Stick with light layers and aim for one more layer than you need at night to keep warm as recommended by the AAP. Babies shouldn’t sleep with a blanket, because of the increased risk of SIDs, so that extra layer will keep them cozy in their sleep.
What should my baby wear in the snow?
In the snow, keeping your baby dry is just as important as keeping them warm. For this reason, it’s a good idea to layer water-resistant bunting with a hood, fold-over gloves, and booties over the top of their everyday clothes. And when in doubt, you just can’t go wrong with a baby snowsuit for ease-of-use and convenience.
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