With Baby in the Snow - Important Tips

Winter is finally here. Gorgeous! Schoolchildren build snowmen, the kindergarten goes to the sledge hill with the little ones and little ice gnomes run everywhere through the snow with happy snot noses. This time with children can be very enriching. But for families with babies, the question arises – how do I do this with my little one? Sled, stretcher, stroller … What is the most sensible way to carry my baby through the cold;

Basically To Note with Baby in the Snow:

Baby in the Snow

It is best to make a few thoughts beforehand about where you will be with your baby. It is always important that you have a place to stop for a break nearby. It can always be that your baby needs a new diaper, you want to breastfeed, the baby no longer feels like going out or it just starts to freeze.

There are now many useful ways to wrap up the little ones so snuggly that they can be there on a family trip in the snow. We have put together the most important “means of transport” for you and evaluated the advantages and disadvantages from your baby’s point of view.

The Stroller – Plenty of Space for Provisions and a Comfortable Sleep in the Fresh Air

This is how it works best:

If you are out and about in simple terrain with your baby, the stroller is certainly an excellent way to go outside in winter. If your excursion leads over tar roads or forest paths with little snow, you have everything you need with a stroller. However, the tires are important here. Large solid rubber or pneumatic tires can sometimes drive through a snowdrift or overcome an icy stretch. Small tires often strike faster.

The Stroller

Advantages of the stroller:

.  Your baby will be cozy and warm on all sides.

. If it snows, your baby will stay dry with a rain cover.

. You have enough space in the stroller for everything you need – diapers, snacks, bottles…

You should consider this:

. Check out how your baby is doing every now and then. If you have cold hands yourself, you can use your lips to check whether the child has cold hands or cheeks. A grip in the stroller shows you whether it is still cozy.

. Some babies have a limited amount of time they can spend in the stroller. The mood here sometimes changes from one minute to the next. So what? Here you need a “plan B”, for example a stretcher or – even better – a stop nearby or a place to warm up.

. Deep snow is difficult to conquer with a stroller.

. Sometimes there is a risk of falling on ice.

Age recommendation:

In principle, you can travel with your baby in a stroller from the first few weeks of life until toddler age. The following rule of thumb helps: the smaller the baby and the colder it is, the shorter the trip should be. Always make sure your baby doesn’t get cold, especially when he is sleeping. A pram trip with newborns is not recommended when the temperature is below zero.

Sling or Body-Hugging Baby Carrier – The Cuddly Version

hugging baby carrier

 

This is how it works best:

In addition to the classic sling, there are many beautiful ways to carry a baby on your body. It is important that the baby is as close to you as possible. It’s best to put on a warm sweater or ski underwear. The baby is placed over it in the carrier. Ideally, your child is wearing something comfortable that doesn’t cut in or pinch. Functional clothing or a wool suit is good. Unfortunately, cotton does not warm you so well.

Ideally, you should wear a wide jacket over the baby. There are great functional jackets with inserts for baby carriers. But it is also just a jacket that is a little wider, e.g. from pregnancy or from your partner if he is wearing a larger size. Above all, it is important that the legs are kept warm in your jacket and that the baby is nice and warm on the back. However, the head should always be outside the jacket. Even when the baby is asleep, it must be getting enough oxygen. It is best to carry your baby on the front of the stomach facing you.

Advantages of the baby carrier:

. Your baby is close to you. This way you will quickly notice when your child is no longer happy or gets cold hands.

. Even more impassable terrain can be conquered with a stretcher.

You should consider this:

. As with the stroller, the moment when your baby wants to get out can come with the carrier.

. A bigger baby can get really heavy over time.

. Provisions must be carried in an extra backpack.

Age recommendation:

Since you warm the baby well with your body, you can transport even very small babies easily in the front carrier. But older babies and toddlers can also be carried perfectly with carrying systems or slings. It is nice that you are close and always know quickly when your baby is not doing well. Warning: this does not apply to a child carrier – see below.

Sledges – Real Winter Fun for Older Babies and Toddlers

Sledges

This is how it works best:

When there is a lot of snow, the sledge is a good way of getting around with a baby. There are different models with a baby attachment and cozy, warm the sled. It is important that the sled has a baby attachment. You can then attach a warm your child to this. Make sure that it is securely attached and that your baby is sitting comfortably in it. There are also baby sleds that you can push. These are more comfortable and usually also safer.

Advantages of the sled:

. Here you can give your baby a little taste of the joys of winter. With a bigger baby, you may be able to ski down a little hill.

. The sledge travels where it is already too slippery for the stroller or where there is too much snow.

. With cozy and warm on the sledge;

You should keep this in mind:

Pulling a sledge through the snow can be quite exhausting.

The wind blows your child’s face with the classic models.

There is no protection from snow or possibly rain.

Age recommendation:

The sledge is more suitable for older babies and toddlers. It is best to only use the sled when your baby can safely sit independently. So for the first sledge walk it is good if your child is almost a year or older. For the first sledge runs downhill, your baby should be able to sit comfortably and safely and of course only rush down the hill with you.

Sledges – Real Winter Fun for Older Babies and Toddlers

This is how it works best:

When there is a lot of snow, the sledge is a good way of getting around with a baby. There are different models with a baby attachment and cozy, warm can also be attached to the sled. It is important that the sled has a baby attachment. You can then attach a warm for your child to this. Make sure that it is securely attached and that your baby is sitting comfortably in it. There are also baby sleds that you can push. These are more comfortable and usually also safer.

Advantages of the sled:

Here you can give your baby a little taste of the joys of winter. With a bigger baby, you may be able to ski down a little hill.

The sledge travels where it is already too slippery for the stroller or where there is too much snow.

You should keep this in mind:

Pulling a sledge through the snow can be quite exhausting.

The wind blows your child’s face with the classic models.

There is no protection from snow or possibly rain.

Age recommendation:

The sledge is more suitable for older babies and toddlers. It is best to only use the sled when your baby can safely sit independently. So for the first sledge walk it is good if your child is almost a year or older. For the first sledge runs downhill, your baby should be able to sit comfortably and safely and of course only rush down the hill with you.

A Fundamental Question At The End: How Much Cold Can A Child Withstand?

How long your child can be out in the cold depends on many factors. There are children who are more likely to freeze. Others quickly get warm or even too hot if they are tightly wrapped. This of course depends on the age of the baby and the outside temperature. In principle, the smaller the baby and the colder the outside temperature, the shorter the excursion; Opinions are divided when it comes to the question of whether and how much time a newborn should spend outside in winter. Here it is important to listen to your feelings, to watch your baby carefully and if in doubt, it is better to stay at home.

If you are not sure how much cold your child can tolerate, it is best to ask your pediatrician.