I have a theory that babies and toddlers need to spend at least some time outdoors every day in order to get the stimulation they need and be content. And when I say every day, I mean every day–rain or shine, wind or snow. I've actually done informal polls with a lot of my parent friends and they seem to all agree: kids need the outdoors and if they don't get it, they can get kind of, well … miserable. But babies can't regulate their own body temperatures as well as adults can, so we do need to take extra caution when out and about with our little ones during the colder months. By layering up with the right gear, you can ensure that your little one is nice and cozy for all of your winter outings.
Read more ¿Qué más?: 6 Free (or almost free!) cold-weather outings for the whole family
Check out my tried and true winter-weather must-haves for babies and toddlers.
Glacier Fleece Mittens
I'm a huge fan of mittens by The Children's Place. I love the glacier fleece varieties, which keep little hands nice and toasty, but still allow for some movement. It's especially great that the infant-size is thumbless, so you don't have to spend forever trying to get a tiny thumb situated. Glacier Fleece Mittens, $8.95
Fleece Sleep Sack or Footie Pajamas
Blankets in the crib for infants are a SIDS risk, so a fleece sleep sack is your best bet for keeping babies under a year warm at night. I love this long-sleeve version from Carter's for its comfort and affordability–it's what I used on my baby. If your little one is a bit older, try layering a fleece footie over regular cotton pajamas. Microfleece Sleep Bag, $9
Stroller Bunting
I adore the BundleMe by JJ Cole–particularly the "urban" version. The interior is warm and plush and the nylon exterior is perfect for keeping out wind, rain and snow. Plus the top zips off for temeprature control, which makes it useful in spring and fall as well. JJ Cole BundleMe Urban, from $41.34
Snowsuit
Using snowsuits in car seats, has been proven unsafe in recent years, but they are still great for walks, park outings and more. They are especially useful if you babywear frequently and want to make sure your little one is as warm as possible inside the carrier. We loved this version from Old Navy. Performance Fleece-Lined Snowsuit, $39.94
Warm Hat
A good warm hat is probably one of the most crucial winter gear items you'll need for baby. We all know heat escapes through the head and wind can wreak havoc on little ear drums, so the head needs to be covered when outdoors. Plus, baby hats are ridiculously cute! Fleece Bear Hat, $18.95
Cozy Blanket
Again, you want to avoid blankets in the crib with infants, but that doesn't mean they don't serve a purpose. The safest way to keep warm in the car seat is to buckle the baby in and tuck a blanket around her, then when you get out you can throw the blanket over the baby to keep her toasty until you're indoors. And when she's a little older, you can move it to the crib. Cable Knit Baby Blanket, $19.99
Long-Sleeve Bodysuits
As I've said before, I'm a huge fan of Carter's and their plain white bodysuits, and they are making my list of must-haves once again. The long-sleeve bodysuits will help you get longer life out of short sleeve shirts by layering them underneath, they can be paired with cotton pants as pajamas or can be layered under footie pajamas for extra warmth. You will get a ton of use out of them. Carter's Long-Sleeve Bodysuits, $16 for 4
