Who loves shopping for winter clothes? We don’t because it means summer is over, and shorter, colder days are fast approaching.
But winter clothes shopping for babies can be fun — if you know what you’re looking for.
We’ve created a list of all the best baby winter clothes you’ll need for any climate and situation. We’ve weeded out options made with poor-quality fabrics, those that aren’t breathable, and anything that doesn’t fit our babies’ high-fashion standards.
We were left with these adorable winter clothing items that come highly recommended — not just from us but from thousands of moms and babies too. Read on to find every item you need to get your baby through the bone-chilling months until those warm summer days return.
- Ribbed cuff sleeves
- Cozy hood and footed one-piece suit
- Quilted chevron padded pram with sherpa lining
- Carefully sized for baby
- 100% organic GOTS certified cotton
- High-quality breathable fabric
- Expandable shoulders
- Trusted Carter's quality
- Strong nickel-free snaps
- Pearlized button front closure
- Comfortable, snuggly, and safe fabric
- Soft, 100% cotton material
- Polyester microfleece
- Front zipper for easy changes
- Soft, safe, and flame resistant textile
- Stretchy microfleece fabric
- Naturally water resistant
- Extra snuggly
- Waterproof poncho sole
- 100% satisfaction guarantee
- Soft-soled bottom
How to Choose Baby Clothes for Winter
Before going into more detail about what your baby might need, let’s look at some things to consider when buying clothes.
Materials and Layering
You want your baby to be cozy all winter. But with multiple layers, things can become uncomfortable. Here are some pointers to keep in mind:
- First layers should be breathable fabrics: Cotton or a cotton blend are the best materials for the clothes closest to your baby’s skin.
- Quilted polyester or fleece: These are great for outdoor wear, like snowsuits, buntings, and jackets.
- Microfleece: Perfect for keeping your baby warm and safe at night.
Things to Look For
Babies need to be changed often. If you have a drooler, as I do, you’ll understand the struggle of keeping the chest area dry.
Clothes that are easy to take on and off are ideal. You never know when your baby might have a diaper explosion. Here are a few things that could come in handy.
- Expandable necklines: Babies hate to have clothes pulled over their heads: stretchy necklines will make it much easier.
- Buttons, snaps, and zippers: If clothing has fasteners at the crotch, you won’t have to remove all the layers completely for quick diaper changes.
Things to Avoid
Consider convenience and safety and how easy it will be to change your baby in winter clothing. These are a few things to steer clear of.
- Things that wrap around your baby’s neck: Scarves aren’t necessary and could become a choking or suffocation hazard. You could use a turtleneck top with snaps to protect your baby’s neck instead.
- Overly decorated items: Bows, unnecessary buttons, and other cute accessories could irritate your baby or fall off and become a choking hazard.
Product Reviews
Here are our favorite baby winter clothes.
The North Face Reversible Jacket
Best Baby Winter Jacket
If you aren’t up for the bulkiness of a snowsuit, you might prefer a jacket instead. This North Face reversible jacket will keep your baby warm but not restricted.
The jacket has fold-over cuffs to give your baby’s fingers a little extra protection from the elements. It’s made with lightweight polyester and has a durable, water-repellent finish to protect against snow and rain.
This reversible jacket has a solid color side and a printed side, so you can switch it up to match your mood. You can also choose from several color options.
Urban Republic Quilted Fleece Pram Snowsuit
Best Baby Winter Snowsuit
Your baby needs to stay warm while you’re out and about on cold days. A good snowsuit you can slip on over other layers is essential. This snowsuit is quilted and warm with a soft, comfy sherpa inner layer that allows your baby to move freely.
The sleeves have ribbed cuffs to keep out unwanted cold air. The hood also has a sherpa lining, and the zipper goes down both legs for quick and easy diaper changes. The whole suit can be machine washed and tumble dried, making it extra easy to care for.
Burt's Bees Wearable Blanket
Best Baby Winter Sleepwear
For chilly nights or days, a wearable blanket can be your baby’s best friend. A good one should stay secured on your baby while allowing for some room for movement.
Burt’s Bees got it right with this one. Not only is it made from certified organic cotton, but it’s also really cute.
The zipper is long and has an interior guard to keep your baby safe from chafing. It zips from the bottom or the top, making those late-night changes a little easier.
Simple Joys by Carter's Long-Sleeve Bodysuit
Best Baby Winter Bodysuit
We love long-sleeved onesies for babies in the winter. They’re great for any climate.
If you live in an area that gets very cold, you can layer them under sweaters, cardigans, dresses, or sleepers. If you live in a warmer climate, they pair perfectly with leggings or cute, loose-fitting pants to make a variety of stylish combinations.
This highly affordable set includes five 100% cotton onesies in varying colors and patterns.
The breathable fabric will help prevent overheating, even with additional layers. And the snap-up crotch makes for quick and easy diaper changes, which your baby will especially appreciate in the cold winter months!
Little Me Unisex Newborn Sweater
Best Baby Winter Sweater
As we know, sweaters are essential for babies in the winter — but not just for winter. They’re also good for those in-between months when the weather is unpredictable.
This super-soft sweater and hat duo are made of pure cotton and have an adorable knitted design. The sweater has long sleeves with cuffs to keep them in place. And the buttons have a pearlized finish for an extra touch of luxury.
Gerber Baby Boys' Blanket Sleeper
Best Baby Winter Pajamas
Regardless of how your baby sleeps, they need to stay warm and safe. While loose blankets put your baby at risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), your baby needs something else to stay snug.
We recommend this footed pajama set by Gerber Baby. It’s a soft microfleece, so in most climates, you won’t even need to dress your baby in any extra layers. And with 30 different sets to choose from, you’re sure to find the perfect PJs for any occasion. This listing mainly includes options for boys, but look here for just as many girly choices.
The PJ has a long zipper that goes all the way to your baby’s ankles.
Zutano Unisex Cozie Fleece Bootie
Best Baby Winter Booties
Booties can sometimes become more of a headache than a blessing. They tend to fall off easily, and it seems you always lose one, if not both.
However, these booties are our favorite — and thousands of parents agree with us. They have soft, wide straps that gently wrap around your baby’s ankles and secure with snaps, making them hard to remove.
They’re made of a warm fleece with a plush exterior. And you can choose from a wide variety of colors. (We bought them in several colors so we would always have a matching set!)
N'Ice Caps Sherpa Lined Fleece Set
Best Baby Winter Hat and Mittens Set
This sherpa-lined hat-and-mittens set is plush and warm. The material is highly absorbent, so it prevents your baby from getting too sweaty.
The hat has a deep brim to cover your baby’s ears, and you can secure it underneath the chin using the Velcro straps. The mittens have elastic at the wrist to keep them in place. You can roll the sleeves a little if your baby’s hands are extra small.
This boy’s version features planes, trains, and cars.
MarJunSep Warm Baby Gloves
Best Baby Winter Gloves
These gloves are a soft blend of cotton, acrylic fibers, and velvet. They’re warm, breathable, and stretchy.
The plush lining will provide your baby with a little extra comfort. The gloves have a thumb and lots of wiggle room for growing fingers. Plus, you get two pairs in this set, and the colors are suitable for boys or girls.
Enteer Infant Snow Boots
Best Baby Winter Snow Boots
When you’re taking your baby out in cold weather, booties might not be enough to keep their feet warm.
These snow boots are specially made to fit tiny feet, and they’re soft-soled, which makes them flexible. The boots are lightweight and less likely to slip off by accident, as the folded Velcro straps keep them securely in place. The faux fur lining keeps those tiny toes snug.
Dressing Your Baby in Winter
Let’s look at some tips (and a few tricks) about how to dress your baby during cold winters.
At Home: Thin Layers
If you’re anything like me, you like a warm and toasty house, which means you may often have the heat on in the winter. You don’t want your baby to overheat, so it’s a good idea to take advantage of layering.
Start with a long-sleeved onesie. We prefer onesies to shirts because the snaps help keep them in place. On top of that, you can add one of those cute pajamas you’re dying to try out. If the sleeper doesn’t have feet, consider adding a pair of socks (1).
Going Outdoors
Before heading out the door, look at what you’re wearing. Are you wearing a sweater? Dress your little one in their at-home outfit, then add a shirt and a sweater or a jacket to go outside.
If you feel it’s time to take out the ole winter coat, get out your little one’s snowsuit as well. But remember to remove the outer layers when you arrive home to prevent your baby from overheating.
In the Stroller and Babywearing: Keep Warm
You might feel hesitant about taking your little one out and about in the winter. When your baby’s in the stroller, use a nice stroller blanket and tuck it all around. You can also opt for a bunting bag. We adore this plush, warm one from JJ Cole.
Similar to a wearable blanket, this will keep your baby safe from the elements while still allowing them to move.
For those who prefer to wear their little ones, between the warmth of the wearer’s chest and the carrier itself, you may not need more than their original outfit. A hat will keep your baby’s head warm, but if you feel that’s not enough, you can strategically tuck a blanket around your baby. Anything more might make it difficult to secure the wrap or carrier properly.
In the Car Seat: Stay Safe
Commuting with your baby during the winter is another struggle for new parents. You might feel tempted to wrap your baby up in a snowsuit, but think twice before doing so.
If your baby is wearing a snowsuit or heavy bunting, there’s a big chance they’re not secure in the car seat. Take your baby out of bulky clothing, and tuck a blanket around them and over the straps once they’re all buckled up (2).
Car seat covers are another great option, like this Cozy Cover. These covers go over the seat and usually have two long zippers with an opening for your baby’s face.
However, as good as this is, consider your vehicle’s temperature. If it’s heated, a blanket should be just fine. Keep the seat cover unzipped until you get out of the vehicle.
The Importance of Keeping Extremities Warm
Babies will lose necessary body heat if their extremities (head, hands, and feet) are exposed to cold weather. It’s much harder for a baby to regulate their body temperature than an adult (3).
When going out, cover your baby’s head with a hat. It has to cover the ears, and you might want to consider one with straps under the chin to keep it from slipping or being pulled off.
Mittens should preferably be breathable since a baby’s tiny fingers tend to get sweaty. Keeping an extra pair in your bag is a good idea. Babies like to chew on their fingers, and mittens tend to make them even more irresistible.
You can go for socks or booties for your little one’s feet. Even if the snowsuit has feet, you might still have to put on a pair of socks underneath.
Sleeping: What to Wear
Babies tend to be slightly colder when sleeping, so it’s essential to make sure you dress them appropriately.
Crib-sleeping babies will need a little extra help to keep warm. Loose blankets are a no-no since they pose a SIDS risk.
Dress your baby in an extra layer, or you could use a sleep sack. Your baby will probably be wearing long sleeves anyway, so with a sleeveless sleeper, overheating is less likely.
You could also swaddle your baby to keep them nice and snug. Here’s how to do it safely:
- Open a blanket on a flat surface, and fold one corner down.
- Place your baby on top of the blanket, backside down. Their head should be right above the folded corner.
- Place your baby’s left arm down and fold the blanket’s left corner over the body. Tuck the blanket in between your baby’s right arm and the side of their body.
- Place your baby’s right arm down and pull the blanket’s right side over their body. Tuck it under their left side.
- Loosely twist or fold the blanket up from the bottom, and tuck it under one side of your baby. It should not be too tight; leave some space around the chest and wiggle room around the hips.
Swaddling is best for infants. At three months, your baby may be too active and might even be trying to roll over. In that case, swaddling can become dangerous since it’s easy for your baby to roll onto their belly while swaddled.
If your baby sleeps close to you, they usually don’t require as much extra clothing. They will share all of your body heat instead.
Again, don’t use blankets. Instead, dress your baby in breathable pajamas or a long-sleeved onesie with pants. A sleep sack could also be beneficial if you feel it’s chilly enough for a cover.
Avoid Overheating
As much as you want to keep your baby warm, it’s important to prevent overheating. Always remove a layer (or two, depending on the temperature) when coming indoors.
Remove the hat, even if it will wake your baby up, because an overheated sleeping baby is at a much higher risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). It’s safer for your baby to be a little cooler (4).
Here’s how to check if your baby is comfortable:
- Feel their tummy: It should feel warm.
- Feet should be slightly cool: Not cold or hot.
- Hot to the touch or sweaty? Your baby is too hot, and you should remove a layer.
- Cold to the touch or pale in color? Your baby needs another layer.
If your baby is sleeping, you might feel reluctant to unbutton their clothes to check their belly. Instead, you can place one or two fingers on the back of their neck. It should feel warm, not hot, sweaty, or cold (5).
Don’t hesitate to remove a layer if you feel your baby is sweaty or too hot while sleeping. It’s better to be on the safe side.
Baby Winter Clothes FAQs
What Does Newborn Wear Home From Hospital in Winter?
A newborn should wear a warm onesie, a snug-footed sleeper or bunting bag, a soft hat, and mittens when leaving the hospital in winter. Layering is key, and you might also want to add a blanket for extra warmth during the car ride home.
How Many Outfits Does a Newborn Need in Winter?
It’s advisable to have around half a dozen warm outfits for a newborn in winter. This accounts for daily changes and those inevitable spit-up or diaper incidents, ensuring your baby is always cozy and comfortable.
What Can I Put on My Baby’s Feet in the Winter?
Soft, warm booties or socks are essential for a baby’s feet in winter. Look for materials that provide warmth while being gentle on delicate skin. If you’re going outside, insulated and waterproof foot coverings are advisable.
What Clothing is Best for Babies In Winter?
The best clothing for babies in winter includes layers that you can slip on and off easily. Start with a cotton onesie, add a warm top and pants, and then a fleece or woolen sweater. For outdoor ventures, a winter coat or snowsuit is essential.
