5 things you need for baby in winter

1. WINTER-WEIGHT SLEEPING BAG
No one likes to wake in the middle of a cold winter’s night having accidentally kicked off all their covers. This is exactly why I strongly recommend winter-weight sleeping bags to all parents of babies and toddlers. Cosy and snug, a sleeping bag moves with your baby, meaning he can’t come untucked. Sleeping bags are also one safe alternative to sheets and blankets, as Baby can’t slip underneath or get tangled up.  

2. CAPSULE BASE
A capsule with a base that stays secured in your car is a lifesaver in the wet winter months. Having the base fixed in your car means you don’t have to stand in the rain while you fiddle with the seatbelt, trying desperately to strap the capsule into the car. Instead, you just click the capsule directly into the secured base and you’re away laughing. When installed and used correctly, the capsule and base combo is considered the safest way to travel with Baby, and I strongly recommend parents ask the sales people to demonstrate the proper installation of both so they can use it with confidence.

5. HEATING
Keeping your baby warm and snug really is a priority in winter, but do take care not to overheat your baby’s bedroom. The ideal temperature for a baby to sleep in is around 18°C. That said, most houses (especially older ones or those not so well-insulated) will require heating of some sort to remove the chill from the air. Safety is paramount here – keep heaters out of reach of your child, keep rooms well-ventilated when you’re using a heater, keep the door open and use a heater with a thermostat so you don’t inadvertently overheat the room. Fan and gas heaters can be dangerous, so electric wall panel heaters are the better option.

Grace Nixon is an Auckland-based midwife and nursery specialist. Go to practicalparentingantenatal.com to learn about her antenatal classes, where they discuss what happens before and after baby arrives in equal measure.