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It’s that time of year again! The nights are drawing in and it’s dark when we’re up in the morning. The autumn/winter season is upon us already. We know it's going to be cold, damp and windy, and getting out with your baby in a sling or carrier takes a little bit more thought and effort.
With just a few hints and tips you can stay as comfortable as possible when carrying (this list isn't exhaustive; if you have your own top tip, please do share!).
- Keep as few clothing layers between you and baby as possible. Babies regulate their temperature best when they are closest to you. The natural heat exchange between you both occurs best with fewer, lighter layers; natural fibres help too.
- Do not use bulky coats and snowsuits on baby; such bulky layers can lead to baby overheating, particularly in younger babies. Older babies can end up with a layer of sweat against their skin which can leave them chilled.
- Pay extra attention when putting the baby in your carrier. Imagine a baby in a coat, then imagine you are wrapping them, or lifting the panel of a baby carrier up their back - (visualise the process) - the coat will often end up riding up the baby's back and sitting higher than normal. When the baby then relaxes or falls asleep their face could potentially be completely obscured by the coat, and their airway could become compromised.
- Avoid snowsuits for optimal positioning. It's very difficult to achieve that lovely soft, open, raised knee position in a snowsuit - it just doesn't allow for the flexibility of baby's limbs, and doesn't respect their physiology.
- It's amazing how warm you both stay when carrying, especially when walking and being out and about. Baby's trunk will stay toasty warm, especially younger babies in stretchy wraps - remember to count the layers of a sling as layers of clothing!
- Be aware of extremities - I know this sounds obvious, but when the weather turns icy, or when it's that chilly damp weather that clings to your bones, remember to cover up little noggins (something that covers the ears too if it's windy), hands if they're exposed, and the lower legs and feet. Think of an extra pair of socks / leggings / tights / legwarmers - anything that will add warmth but that can be removed if needed.
- Layer up around you both. There are lots of options, such as babywearing coats, jackets or covers which make it really easy to get out and about in cold weather, but which are equally easily removed when you go indoors.
- Have fun! There's no better place for your little one to experience the change of the seasons - the colours, sights and smells - than from the comfort of a sling, tucked up all snug and safe right next to you.
So now we know how to stay just warm enough and comfortable in the current weather and coming season, but the most crucial question is how to stay dry... well, we have the answer for you!
Two answers to be precise - babywearing covers and babywearing coats.
As discussed above, it’s best to wrap a coat, or your final waterproof layer, around you both. The best way to do this is by using a babywearing cover or a babywearing coat. We’ll discuss the benefits of both below.
Babywearing Covers
We always stock a huge variety of carrying covers - perfect for carrying in all sorts of weather - think summer showers & winter downpours; they work with almost all types of slings & carriers.
They are a superb option for using between different wearers, allowing you to wear your favourite coat or jacket whilst carrying, staying dry and snug together.
There is an awesome selection - lightweight, padded, with hood, removable hood! All can be used for front carry and back carry.
They fit and adjust over the baby quickly and easily, offering a very snug fit to keep the baby warm & dry. The perfect option that both parents can use.
Whatever the weather, with a carrying cover you're, well, covered! Carrying with layers around you both is best & when the weather runs from windy to rainy to sunny in one day, you know that you're warm, dry, protected & you can go anywhere. They also fold up small and neat in a bag for those days when you're *sure* you won't need it.
They can be a fantastic budget option too, and all are waterproof and windproof. Exactly what you need to get through the seasons.
Best Budget Babywearing Cover
The Mamalila Shelter Cover - it’s lightweight, folds up small and neat yet is wonderfully weatherproof so it will keep your little one dry and protected all season long.
Best Babywearing Cover for Newborn - Preschool
The MaM Covers are a fantastic option with newborns and they also offer exceptional coverage for toddlers and even preschoolers. They are fully weather-proof with pockets for the wearer and a good sized hood for your little one.
Best Babywearing Cover for Warmth
The Isara Babywearing Cover is great when you want added warmth too - it has a cozy warm lining that will keep you toasty and warm no matter the weather.
Babywearing Coats
The ultimate in weather proof. A babywearing jacket or coat allows you and your little one to be contained in the same environment. It’s the best way to maintain an even temperature between you both.
The beauty of a babywearing jacket is the very best way of fulfilling a basic, everyday, babywearing problem - how to get out and about in all weather, when you carry your baby in a sling. Perhaps you don't have a buggy or pram, but you still need to get out to walk the dog, do the school run for an older sibling, or nip to the shops - things you can't put off just because it's raining.
Most babywearing jackets and coats come with both a pregnancy and a babywearing insert. So you can start using it as your bump grows, whilst front or back carrying a baby or toddler in any kind of sling (woven wraps, buckle carriers, stretchy wraps, meh dais, ring slings), and then even after your baby has grown, just as a regular weatherproof jacket. Most look fantastic when worn solo, too.
Best Babywearing Coat for Rain
Mamalila Allrounder - Honest-to-goodness the best babywearing coat we've ever used . New Season 21/22 colours Mustard, Deep Berry & Navy are made from 100% recycled polyester! Even better eco-credentials with the same amazing performance.
You can carry your baby on your front & back when you're using any type of sling, whether you're carrying your newborn or your toddler.
The Mamalila Babywearing Jacket Softshell Allrounder is an absolute favourite (read the reviews!). The light flexible fabric with its soft fleece inner membrane moves with you and your baby, keeping wind and rain out, while regulating temperatures inside and preventing overheating.
The jacket includes a babywearing insert and a pregnancy insert which can be quickly zipped into the jacket allowing it to be easily adapted from a classic form-fitting women's jacket into a maternity or babywearing jacket.
Best Budget Babywearing Coat
The Love & Carry Parka is superb for the money. Designed to help you get out and about with your baby no matter the weather, the Love & Carry Babywearing Parka features a removable pregnancy panel and a babywearing panel.
During pregnancy, the maternity panel easily zips in to account for your growing bump, whilst the drawstring in the hem allows you to adjust the coat even further.
When babywearing, the babywearing panel zips in to accommodate any type of baby carrier. The removable hood on the panel can be used to keep your baby's head protected during bad weather. This coat is made to last way beyond your babywearing years as a classically cut, chic parka.
Babywearing Coat with the Best Eco Credentials
The Short Coat Berlin from Mamalila - with a detachable lining, it really is the perfect coat for all-year-round babywearing!
It's made from 100% organic cotton and recycled polyester with an environmentally friendly PU membrane making it weather resilient and breathable; plus, it has an FC-free coating. It comes with an insert for babywearing, and looks amazing worn on its own too. It's the absolute opposite of fast fashion!
Thanks to its A-shape, the Short Coat is also suitable during pregnancy: your growing belly fits comfortably within the generous cut. And with the aid of the accompanying insert, a babywearing coat is born; after all, it too works according to the award-winning Mamalila concept, so the coat can be used when you're carrying your baby on your front or on your back.