Keeping warm during winter

We can't deny it any longer, winter is definitely on its way and for those of us caring for new additions to the family, we definitely want to make sure that our baby's first winter is not a frosty affair! But how to keep little ones warm for unavoidable outings when it's so chilly outside?

First things first keep in mind that an infant's ability to regulate their own body temperature is not well developed, so it's up to you to make sure your child is dressed properly for the cold. Often this will involve dressing in a few layers of clothing, with onsies great to keep with warmth in! Remember to pay special attention to keeping your baby's head warm since lots of heat escapes easily in this area. Pop a warm baby hat on their head to protect their head and ears from the cold. A cute pair of mittens and booties never goes astray, but be mindful, if your child is prone to sucking on his or her fingers, keep an extra pair of mittens handy as wet gloves can get rather cold!

When heading out, you're going to want a warm blanket to take along to wrap up bub for the especially icy days! Great materials for blankets include cotton, wool or fleece. Remember to unwrap at least one layer when heading back indoors as you don't want to make your child perspire, the dampness will make them even colder when returning to the winter air! It's important to keep a close eye on your baby's temperature. There are many ways to do this, some babies will cry or become obviously distressed when too warm, but others do not make it so easy! Don't judge a baby's heat by his toes or hands, these are usually colder that the rest of the body. Instead, place the back of your hand on their chest or back of the neck to get a better idea of their body temperature and act accordingly.

As a safety tip, remember to dress your child appropriately for car trips so that the car seat straps can still be fitted and adjusted correctly. Make sure your baby isn't wearing clothing that's too bulky in the car seat, and don't put blankets between your baby and the straps. Instead, dress little ones in clothing that allow the straps to fit snug and correctly and adjust the straps to allow for the thickness of the winter clothes. You can always add a blanket on top of the fastened harness straps instead of under them.

Now you're probably wondering how on earth you're going to equip yourself to deal with all of these winter scenarios? We find that the ISOKI Reversible Saddle Tote is perfect for winter. Its generous size is ideal for carrying around the extra pieces that you need to survive the frost! Totally stylish and effortlessly chic, the saddle tote is the perfect size to see you through the winter unscathed! Included with the bag is an insulated cooler bag which can help you take warm bottles with you on the go, as well as a storage satchel (perfect for keeping your winter layers together) and a padded change mat. For more info visit www.isoki.com.au/collection/baby-bags/reversible-saddle-tote-bag.htm