Babywearing in Winter: Carrier Cover or a Babywearing Coat?

Use a cover that attaches to the carrier, not your coat zipped around your baby. Health Canada warns that doing a coat up over a baby in a sling or carrier can lead to overheating and suffocation, and says that even coat extenders and coats sold for babywearing aren't safe when they're closed over your baby. A carrier cover keeps the wind off while leaving your baby's face in view and the carrier fitting the way it should.

Why not a babywearing coat?

A zipped coat pulls fabric up around your baby's face and traps your body heat with theirs. You can't easily see their face, and you won't notice as quickly if their chin drops to their chest or they get too hot. Babies under 4 months, premature babies and babies with a cold are at higher risk.

Whatever you wear on top, Health Canada's CHECK reminders still apply:

• Chin off the chest, so the airway stays open.
• Head and face in view, not pressed into you, the carrier or clothing.
• Evenly supported back and neck.
• Close enough to kiss the top of their head.
• Keep the carrier snug.

You can still wear a warm coat yourself. Wear it open, or under the carrier, so nothing closes over your baby.

BabyBjörn Cover vs Winter Cover

Prices are in CAD and were current when we wrote this. Neither cover is waterproof, and neither has a temperature rating, so dress your baby for the weather and check on them often.

Which one to choose

• Choose the Cover for Baby Carrier for cool, windy or damp days, like a West Coast winter, and for quick trips between the car and the door. It's half the price.
• Choose the Winter Cover if you walk outside for longer, live where winters are properly cold, or want a hood. Being able to pack it into its own pocket helps when you go indoors halfway through an outing.

Both are made for BabyBjörn carriers. If you use another brand, look for that brand's own cover so it attaches properly.

What your baby wears underneath

Skip the puffy snowsuit in a carrier. Bulk makes it harder to get a snug fit and keep your baby's chin up. A fleece one-piece or warm sleeper, a hat that covers the ears and booties that stay on usually do the job with a cover on top. Our guide to snowsuits, bunting bags and footmuffs covers which layers work in a carrier, and the Jan & Jul Stay-Put booties close at the ankle so they don't get kicked off.

Check for overheating

Your baby is sharing your body heat, so they can get warm faster than you'd expect. Check on them often, and if they're sweaty or flushed, take a layer off.

This matters most when you go inside. The moment you step into a mall, a store or a bus, open or remove the cover. And if your baby falls asleep, keep checking their face and position, and move them to a crib or bassinet once you're home.

Planning a walk with the stroller instead? See how to dress a baby for a winter stroller walk.

Want to try a cover on your carrier? Bring your carrier to our Richmond, Burnaby or Ottawa store and call ahead so we can let you know which covers we have on hand.