Keeping warm when it’s cold & keeping cool when it’s warm:
How to dress both yourself & your little one whilst babywearing
One of the most frequently asked questions during babywearing consultations or sling meets is how to dress yourself whilst babywearing and how to dress your little one.
Carrying your child up close on your chest allows you to keep each other warm by thermoregulation, so the less material between the parent and child, the more in tune their bodies are! As a general rule of thumb, each layer of sling fabric equals a layer of clothing so for instance a stretchy wrap consisting of 3 layers of fabric over your baby, equals to 3 extra layers of clothing! A ring sling, meh dai or soft structured carrier are one layer of fabric over your baby's torso. As are single layer woven wrap carries such as front wrap cross carry or a rucksack carry. These equal to one additional layer of clothing. It is important to note that as the legs and arms are outside of the sling, to keep your baby’s extremities warm with additional layers of clothing as needed. |
Let’s begin with what we would recommend to wear throughout the seasons:
All Seasons: In all seasons, layers are the best way to dress! For the parent, I would recommend light layers - normal indoor clothes, then put on your sling, pop baby in and then you have the option to add extra layers, such as cardigan/fleece or jacket that can be put on or taken off as needed, without disturbing baby in the sling. |
Wear Layers:
For our little ones, they usually only need one additional layer of clothing on a cold day. For instance, a baby dressed in a babygro would need a cardigan, hat, (mittens, if necessary) and an extra layer of socks or babylegs. If the temperatures are very low, you could put them in a fleece all in one suit to keep them extra warm.
If you are using a stretchy wrap and depending on the weather outdoors, you might not need the cardigan at all if it's summer time and warm outside, whereas in the cooler months of Autum and Winter it would be needed. You have the option then of wearing a babywearing cover or babywearing jacket to keep you both warm along with a hat for baby.
In one layer carries (ring sling, woven wrap, soft structured carrier, meh dai) especially, where arms and legs are out of the sling, keep their extremities warm and covered, using babywearing booties, extra socks, hat or baby hood, mittens and baby leg warmers, adjust to the weather/season.
For our little ones, they usually only need one additional layer of clothing on a cold day. For instance, a baby dressed in a babygro would need a cardigan, hat, (mittens, if necessary) and an extra layer of socks or babylegs. If the temperatures are very low, you could put them in a fleece all in one suit to keep them extra warm.
If you are using a stretchy wrap and depending on the weather outdoors, you might not need the cardigan at all if it's summer time and warm outside, whereas in the cooler months of Autum and Winter it would be needed. You have the option then of wearing a babywearing cover or babywearing jacket to keep you both warm along with a hat for baby.
In one layer carries (ring sling, woven wrap, soft structured carrier, meh dai) especially, where arms and legs are out of the sling, keep their extremities warm and covered, using babywearing booties, extra socks, hat or baby hood, mittens and baby leg warmers, adjust to the weather/season.
Babywearing Jackets & covers:
There are numerous options on the market for babywearing covers, babywearing fleece jackets and waterproof babywearing jackets. Babywearing covers are very handy as they can be used by both parents as they're "one size fits all" and can also double up as a blanket for the car seat or a change mat and come in various fabrics such as fleece, cotton or waterproof softshell material. |
Waterproof Babywearing Coats are exceptionally handy for the wet weather we get in Ireland. As they say, there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing choices! These types of jackets come in many variations; fleece lined, with zip in fleece jackets or with extra padding for warmth. Many also come with a maternity panel, so the coat can be worn during pregnancy too. Various other add on's such as baby hood, parent scarf and booties are offered by some brands. |
It’s also possible
on a rainy day
to carry your little one
and use an umbrella
to keep you both dry!
Carrying over your coat:
Many parents find when their toddler wants frequent ups and downs that they sometimes prefer to carry them by wearing the sling over their own jacket. Points to note here would be that your child’s airways are always protected, don't wear a scarf or a puffy jacket that may restrict their breathing and ensure they’re comfortable in the sling. |
Beware of overdressing:
Many of us have a tendency to overdress our children in coats, hats, scarves and gloves even when our children are happy to run about outside with less on. If they’re like my kids, they take their coats off at the first opportunity - and drop them for me to carry as they run off to play! At least with baby in a sling, my hands are free to carry their belongings!
There is a very real danger of overheating little ones, especially young babies that we would perhaps be used to seeing in snowsuits or puffy, padded all in one suits.
Not only is the risk of overheating very real when wearing a snowsuit in a sling but there’s also the risk of compression - as the sling is tightened, the padding compresses, allowing your baby to sink down into the snowsuit, the material rises over the face, making it difficult to see their face properly and difficult to ensure their airways are protected.
It’s almost impossible to achieve that lovely "M" shape with their legs as the material is bulky and restrictive. Ensuring your little one is being held in the correct postural position is very important, especially for young babies who do not have any head/neck control. They rely on us to position them comfortably and to ensure their back is supported in the natural curve of their spine.
When babies begin to overheat or have had their airways restricted, they will fall asleep and people can mistake that for tiredness instead of an emergency situation.
The same rules that apply to how to dress your baby for their car seat also applies to the sling.
Many of us have a tendency to overdress our children in coats, hats, scarves and gloves even when our children are happy to run about outside with less on. If they’re like my kids, they take their coats off at the first opportunity - and drop them for me to carry as they run off to play! At least with baby in a sling, my hands are free to carry their belongings!
There is a very real danger of overheating little ones, especially young babies that we would perhaps be used to seeing in snowsuits or puffy, padded all in one suits.
Not only is the risk of overheating very real when wearing a snowsuit in a sling but there’s also the risk of compression - as the sling is tightened, the padding compresses, allowing your baby to sink down into the snowsuit, the material rises over the face, making it difficult to see their face properly and difficult to ensure their airways are protected.
It’s almost impossible to achieve that lovely "M" shape with their legs as the material is bulky and restrictive. Ensuring your little one is being held in the correct postural position is very important, especially for young babies who do not have any head/neck control. They rely on us to position them comfortably and to ensure their back is supported in the natural curve of their spine.
When babies begin to overheat or have had their airways restricted, they will fall asleep and people can mistake that for tiredness instead of an emergency situation.
The same rules that apply to how to dress your baby for their car seat also applies to the sling.
Babywearing in the sun and how to dress your baby for the sun:
Layers also apply here. Depending on how hot it may be outside, you’ll need to adjust both of your clothing accordingly. In Ireland, we might be lucky to get one or two weeks of decent sunshine during the summer months but many of us are lucky enough to travel abroad on occasion to hotter climes. As mentioned above, each layer of fabric on the sling equals to a layer of clothing. You may find that normal indoor clothes are adequate for your little one and that they’re not too warm when they’re in the sling. In warmer temperatures, it may be necessary to strip your baby down to their vest or nappy only. You might find it useful to place a light muslin cloth (or similar) between both of you to wick away any sweat or moisture. For times when you’d be out and about in warm weather, clothing items such as UV baby leg warmers or UV clothing is very handy. There are even UV blankets that can be purchased in some countries which would also make a handy sunblock. In times of necessity, an umbrella can also be used to deflect the suns harmful rays. Don’t forget to use soft wide brimmed sun hats on your baby’s head and sun cream when appropriate. Try your best to keep your baby out of direct sunlight, especially at the hottest times of the day! |
Handy tips to remember when heading out with your baby in the sling on a sunny day:
It’s also important to consider what type of sling would be most suitable for the weather. There are light and airy woven wraps, hybrid stretchy wraps, light meh dai, ring slings and soft structured carriers with features such as solar weave panels to help keep you cool.
Woven Wraps:
There are many blends available on the market but the most popular ones for warmer weather would be lightweight cotton, linen, bamboo, hemp and gauze. Tying the wrap in a one layer carry such as a front wrap cross carry or a rucksack carry would help keep you both cool. |
Meh Dai:
Choosing a lightweight meh dai made from natural materials or woven wrap fabric would help to ensure the material is light and airy. Tying the straps without opening them out across baby’s back will reduce the amount of material covering your baby and with arms and legs out, it will help them stay cool. There are also options such as Podegai and Onbuhimo that would not have any waistband straps which helps with keeping cool as there’s less fabric on the wearer’s body. |
Soft Structured Carriers (SSC):
Choosing natural fabrics or wrap fabric soft structured carriers can help keep you both cool. Many SSC’s come with options such as solar weave panels or mesh panels to help air flow better. There’s also the option of full buckle Onbuhimo carrier which has no waistband, which would help with keeping cool too. Arms and legs outside of the carrier also help with feeling cooler. |
Choose your carrier according to how warm it will be and what added features you need:
Hood to offer protection from the sun
Two shoulder carrier for long walk with heavier baby or toddler
Ring sling tails that can be used to offer some protection from wind or sun
Being realistic, in some circumstances, it’s just too hot to carry your little one for long periods of time, so be sure to take breaks and to keep both of you hydrated and apply suncream at frequent intervals.
Hood to offer protection from the sun
Two shoulder carrier for long walk with heavier baby or toddler
Ring sling tails that can be used to offer some protection from wind or sun
Being realistic, in some circumstances, it’s just too hot to carry your little one for long periods of time, so be sure to take breaks and to keep both of you hydrated and apply suncream at frequent intervals.
Positioning in the sling:
As a point to note, it is important to ensure that your baby is comfortable in the sling and you can check that you have created a good seat by doing a pelvic tuck, which allows your baby's pelvis to tilt slightly forward, which in turn draws their knees up to their belly button level, and creates the “M” shape we hear so much about.
As a point to note, it is important to ensure that your baby is comfortable in the sling and you can check that you have created a good seat by doing a pelvic tuck, which allows your baby's pelvis to tilt slightly forward, which in turn draws their knees up to their belly button level, and creates the “M” shape we hear so much about.
The above infographics show clearly the position of the baby, the slight curve of their spine, which changes as they grow and shows baby laying flat against their caregiver, side profile clearly on view with airways clear and open. Ensuring your baby is held in this position whilst in the sling in unrestrictive clothing will keep your baby safe and comfortable as you go about your day and enjoy the slingy snuggles.
Oxytocin hit:
As a final point, I can’t leave out the amazing oxytocin hit parents enjoy when their new baby’s head is nestled on their chest, right under their nose. There’s something so delicious about this smell, it gives us a burst of oxytocin, the love hormone, which helps us bond with our baby and for breastfeeding mothers, it’s known to increase the production of breastmilk. Wearing your baby in a sling offers this on tap, but don’t forget that during the newborn days, the most important thing is skin to skin, bonding and rest. You can use a sling such as a stretchy wrap for skin to skin with your little one if you need to be up and about during the day but don’t forget it’s a lovely way for your baby’s other parent to bond and keep baby warm and settled too!
As a final point, I can’t leave out the amazing oxytocin hit parents enjoy when their new baby’s head is nestled on their chest, right under their nose. There’s something so delicious about this smell, it gives us a burst of oxytocin, the love hormone, which helps us bond with our baby and for breastfeeding mothers, it’s known to increase the production of breastmilk. Wearing your baby in a sling offers this on tap, but don’t forget that during the newborn days, the most important thing is skin to skin, bonding and rest. You can use a sling such as a stretchy wrap for skin to skin with your little one if you need to be up and about during the day but don’t forget it’s a lovely way for your baby’s other parent to bond and keep baby warm and settled too!
To summarise:
Layers are best
Choose clothing & coats according to the weather
Keep extremities warm
Ensure optimal positioning in the sling
Keep airways clear
Enjoy your outdoor adventures wearing your little one!
Footnote: Where you see mention of baby/child/little one in the above article, I intend that to mean babies, toddlers, preschoolers and beyond, as we all know kids love ups and cuddles at all ages and stages!