As temperatures drop, keeping your little one warm and safe is a top priority. Winter layers, car seats, and safe sleep practices can get confusing especially for new parents navigating cold-weather care for a baby for the first time. To help, we’ve gathered a few tips that can help you keep your baby safe this winter season.
Can My Baby Wear a Coat in the Car?
The short answer: no. Bulky layers—like puffy coats, snowsuits, and thick sweaters should not be worn under a car seat harness. While these layers might seem warm, they create dangerous slacks in the straps. In a crash, extra space can prevent the harness from working properly.
Avoiding bulky layers also reduces the risk of overheating, which is a factor associated with Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
The “Plus-One Layer” Rule for Babies
A good rule of thumb: Babies should wear one more layer than adults.
If you’re wearing a coat outside, your baby will likely need a coat and a blanket. However, always remove the coat and blanket before buckling your infant into a car seat. After buckling your baby safely, you can lay the coat or blanket over the harness straps for warmth, but do not cover your baby’s face.
Safe Winter Travel Accessories
Despite the best intentions, not all cold-weather items marketed towards or gifted to parents are safe to use on a baby when traveling in a car seat.
Safe to use:
- Hats
- Mittens
- Socks or booties
These items keep your infant warm without interfering with the fit of the car seat harness.
Avoid:
- Scarves
- Hoods
- Blankets or layers covering the baby’s face
Items such as these might obstruct the airway and put the baby at a higher risk of SIDS.
Test Your Knowledge
Which infant is dressed the safest in their carseat?
The baby on the left is wearing a puffy snowsuit with an oversized hood and cap. It’s possible that the seatbelt harness isn’t tight enough on the baby, and the baby might overheat in all those layers.
The baby on the right is wearing thin layers that still keep him warm. According to our safety tips listed above, the baby on the right is dressed most safely for a winter roadtrip in his carseat!
Safe Sleep in the Cold Months
Babies can be overdressed, especially indoors or during sleep. Overheating increases the risk of SIDS and can be difficult for caregivers to detect.
For sleep safety:
- Use thin layers under a sleep sack.
- Avoid loose blankets, stuffed bedding, or heavy quilts.
If your home falls below 75°F at night, a sleep sack plus a light layer underneath, along with a safe sleep environment, is appropriate.
Check Your Car Seat Fit
Winter is a great time to double-check that your infant’s car seat is properly installed and that the harness fits correctly. The CDC provides helpful, easy-to-follow guidance for each stage of child passenger safety. Visit the CDC’s guide on proper car seat use and fitting: https://www.cdc.gov/child-passenger-safety/prevention/index.html#:~:text=Stage%201.,young%20children%20in%20a%20crash.