Baby, It’s Cold Outside: Disney Baby {Giveaway}

FIVE TIPS FOR KEEPING YOUR LITTLE ONES WARM IN WINTER

Winter can be a very magical, winter wonderland: a blanket of snow covers and transforms everything around, while a layer of frost makes leaves and branches sparkle. It seems like winter has decided to come early in our area, and all across Canada. While it may be gorgeous to look at, sharing that magic with your baby can be difficult task. Our daughter was born near the end of December, right in the midst of all the cold weather, and when she was a few days old we had our first snow fall of the season. She loved looking at the snow falling down, as it was all so new to her. We were worried about keeping her head, little hands, and feet warm.

To help prepare your baby for the wintry weather ahead, Disney Baby has put together five tips for keeping your little one warm, all winter long.

1. Appropriate attire
   While it may seem like a good idea to turn your little one into a snow-suited marshmallow, be careful not to overdo it – you don’t want baby to overheat! A good rule of thumb is to dress children less than a year old in the same number of layers you’re wearing, plus one more. This rule helped us so much, especially as new parents we were constantly wondering if she was too cold, or too warm. This helped to settle our nerves.
2. Easy on, easy off
   Opting for a cozy jumpsuit. Fleecy ones like this Winnie the Pooh number, makes layering very easy. Simply slip these one piece wonders over baby’s outfit as you’re leaving the house. With built-in booties and mittens, a snuggly suit will ensure your little one is ready to face even the chilliest of days. They really do make getting ready to go outside so much easier when you have a little one.
3. Collect cute caps
   Everyone remembers having their Mom yell at them to put their toque back on. Heat escapes through the top of the body, so always make sure your little one’s head is covered. For warmth and style, try these adorable Princess and Pooh cap, mitt and bootie sets – they’re perfect for tiny noggins! If you have a toddler who needs to keep warm, find a hat that ties or stays put under their chin with velcro. Makes it a little harder for them to pull off then.
4. Take brrr-eaks
   Babies need fresh air, even in winter, and it’s perfectly fine to take your little one outside when it’s chilly. But it’s important not to keep baby out in the cold too long. Keep a watch for fussiness or other signs of discomfort and if you see them, it is time to head back inside for a cuddle!
5. Create a cozy crib
   Your baby can get chilly, even inside, and many moms worry about keeping little ones warm while they’re asleep. Step one is to create a snug environment. Try using a flannel fitted sheet in your crib and a cozy footed sleeper to keep your little one toasty from tip to toe. For really tiny tots, swaddling is a great option – just make sure you don’t use too many layers!

A big question we had was “How do we keep our baby warm in their car seat when you aren’t supposed to put them in it with a jacket or anything big and puffy on?” My tip for you is that when they are infants it’s a bit easier because you can get them into their car seat inside the house, and then cover them in a nice warm blanket. With our toddler now, we have her book it out to the car, and take her coat off before putting her in the seat. Then we either put her coat on backwards; having her slide her arms in with the coat backwards so it still keeps her warm. We also tuck her in with a blanket if we know it is going to be a longer drive and we want her to be comfy. Please remember that extra bulk from things like jackets and other winter pieces can cause the infant seats, and car seats to not be secure enough; do the pinch test to make sure your little one is in their seat snug and secure.

{ Disney Baby Giveaway }
Disney Baby has very kindly provided a wonderful giveaway for Discovering Parenthood readers (open to residents of Canada). You could win an organic plush Minnie Mouse from 2 blue ducks, a splat mat, super bib, and set of receiving blankets. Enter through the rafflecopter link below. Good luck everyone!
a Rafflecopter giveaway