Winter is coming!
When I moved to Massachusetts for graduate school in 2009, my plan was to book the first available flight back home to sunny California after earning my degree. Life, apparently, had other plans.
Ten years later, I was still living in Massachusetts and preparing for my first winter with a toddler. I knew she needed a warm coat and boots, but I had so many questions about what else to buy to get her through the winter months.
If you’re like me and have questions about what to buy this winter to keep your baby warm and cozy outdoors but comfortable and unrestricted indoors, please keep reading. I’ve compiled a list of my favorite items as well as some recommendations from other local moms. (I’ve included options for large and small budgets.)
1. The heat is pumping indoors — make sure you layer.
It may be cold outside, but it’s going to be warm indoors where your little one will spend most of his/her day. Layering is key, but don’t overdo it (like I did the first time around) or it will restrict your munchkin’s ability to move and play the way they’d like.
Consider a base layer of clothing made from wool. Wool is temperature regulating and has the ability to keep your child warm and cozy outside and warm but not too warm indoors.
This set by Reima is perfect for layering under a pair of sweatpants and a sweatshirt. At $64.95 per set this option is not for every budget, but their clothing is very well made.
Sierra also has great options for wool base layers. You have to buy the top and bottoms separately, but you can snag each piece for under $20.
2. Old homes are charming but drafty — use a sleep sack at night!
If you live in Massachusetts, chances are your home is really old. Old homes make it challenging to manage and regulate the indoor temperature. This is especially true at night. When the heat is on, most of us are very warm indoors. Too warm at times. But when the heat turns off — oh my, it’s cold! To make matters worse, children aren’t great about staying under covers at night. For those reasons, you may want to consider buying a sleep sack (AKA wearable blanket) this winter.
This sleep sack by Kyte Baby is super soft and comes in a variety of colors and lengths. The best part is that you can buy a sack that is thick enough or thin enough to match the average temperature in your home.
Halo also makes sleep sacks in a variety of lengths and colors. Most are made from micro-fleece, which will definitely keep your child nice and warm. This set is made for big kids. It allows them to keep their feet out while covering the mid-section.
3. Toddlers aren’t great with accessories — try a balaclava instead.
If you’re a glutton for punishment, try putting a scarf, hat, and gloves on a toddler. Listen, 2020 has been hard enough. Don’t go looking for trouble. Instead, try this handy accessory instead — the balaclava.
Doubling as a hat and scarf and way harder for your toddler to snatch off, this wool balaclava by LANACare is game-changing.
This $15 fleece version by Land’s End works well and is less likely to cause heart palpitations if your child loses it at daycare or school.
Whenever possible, I recommend looking for gently used winter items online in your social media groups. Most kids grow out of winter gear pretty quickly. Using hand-me-downs is better for the planet and for your budget.
