21 Newborn Winter Essentials For Every Parent

Are you a new parent preparing for your baby’s first winter? Or a parent-to-be expecting a winter baby? You’re in the right place.

Here, we’ll share our top newborn winter essentials to help you keep your baby safe and warm (but not too warm!) during those chilly winter months.

Winter baby essentials checklist

There are some items that you’ll want to buy for your baby at any time of the year. But a winter baby will have slightly different needs from a summer one.

After all, in summer, you’re probably going to be fighting to keep your newborn cool. But in winter, your newborn will need to be able to brave the frost, wind and snow.

Read on to discover our newborn winter essentials when it comes to clothing, bedtime and general gear. 

And don’t forget to create a collection on Moonsift so you can save all your favourite items in one easy-to-manage place, from any store in the world!

Newborn winter essentials: clothing

Wondering what a winter baby should wear? A good rule of thumb is to dress your baby in one extra layer than what you’re wearing. 

Clothes that are soft, fuss-free and easy to take on and off should be amongst the first baby items you buy. After all, these will keep your baby comfy and make life easier for both of you!

Here’s what your newborn will need for the colder months.

1. Sleepsuits

Cotton sleepsuits are a must for a winter baby. They’ll be warm, breathable and gentle on your newborn’s skin.

Be sure to opt for nickel-free poppers to avoid irritating your baby’s skin, and to make for easy diaper changes. 

We recommend investing in at least six sleepsuits. But it might be safe to buy 12 (six in newborn size and six in 0-3 months) as you likely don’t yet know how big your baby will be. Plus, it’ll give you some leeway in case of those dreaded poonamis!

2. Bodysuits

Bodysuits (or vests) are also important for a winter newborn.

Remember how we said that your baby should normally wear one layer more than you? Slipping a bodysuit on them beneath their sleepsuit is the perfect way to achieve this.

Invest in a mix of long-sleeved and short-sleeved bodysuits for a winter baby. While short-sleeved bodysuits are good for layering throughout the year, a long-sleeved bodysuit will be your best friend in very cold weather.

Like with sleepsuits, we recommend getting six in newborn size and six in 0-3 months to make sure you’re covered. 

3. Jumpers or cardigans

A jumper or cardigan will be ideal for layering in cold winter weather. 

As long as it’s relatively thin, it’ll also become your go-to during chilly car rides where you have to steer clear of bulky clothing like stroller suits.

Opt for around two lightweight knits made from wool or cotton. These materials will be warm yet breathable.

4. Hat

A hat is a newborn essential at any time of year.

It’s probably the first thing they’ll pop on your baby in hospital. For this, a breathable cotton hat is perfect.

However, if you’re expecting a winter baby, it might be a good idea to get your hands on a warmer, knitted hat too. This way, you can keep your newborn’s head nice and toasty when you take them outside for frosty winter walks.

5. Mittens 

Lots of parents use scratch mittens to stop their babies from hurting themselves. After all, babies have surprisingly sharp nails!

But winter babies could probably do with a thicker pair of outdoor mittens too.

This way, you can stop their little hands from getting uncomfortable in chilly weather. Just make sure to invest in close-knitted patterns so that your baby’s fingers don’t get caught.

6. Booties

Your baby won’t need shoes for a little while. But you’ll still want to make sure their feet are warm and snug when you’re out and about in cold weather.

Booties are the answer!

Just pop them over the integrated feet of your baby’s sleepsuit, or over their socks if they’re in an outfit, to keep those adorable toes comfortable.

7. Stroller suit

A stroller suit – or snowsuit – is essentially your baby’s equivalent of a coat.

Available in padded or faux fur designs, these are made to keep your baby extra snug outdoors.

Just make sure that, if you’re using a carseat, you take your baby out of their stroller suit first. Otherwise, they may not be held securely enough by the harness.

Plus, always make sure to remove your baby’s stroller suit as soon as they’re back indoors to prevent them from overheating.

8. Blanket

If you haven’t already gathered, dressing a baby in the winter is all about layers.

With that in mind, a light cellular blanket is arguably the most versatile item you’ll own. 

Wrap it round your baby as an extra layer, drape it over the two of you while you’re doing skin to skin or place it over their lap during chilly car rides (remember, your baby mustn’t wear bulky layers like stroller suits in the car).

It’ll also be vital for keeping your newborn warm while they’re sleeping – although once they’re big enough, they can progress into a sleeping bag. Which brings us onto…

Winter newborn must haves: bedtime

Temperatures drop at night, so you’ll want to make sure you have everything you need to keep your baby comfortable despite the frost forming on the ground outside.

Let’s be honest, this will also give you the best chance of a few hours’ sleep (fingers crossed!).

Here’s what you’ll need.

9. Sleeping bags

Once your baby is big enough, you might choose to progress from a blanket to a sleeping bag to keep your baby warm at night.

Which tog you need will depend on the temperature of your bedroom.

As a general guide, a 2.5 tog baby sleeping bag can be ideal for temperatures between 16 and 20°C.

But always check the manufacturer’s guidelines and your room temperature to make sure you’re selecting the right tog.

10. Sheets

Contrary to what you might think, it’s not just what’s covering your baby that will affect their temperature.

Rather, what they’re sleeping on is important too.

A soft and breathable mattress protector and sheet will not only protect your mattress but also make sure that your baby isn’t overheating.

Never use loose bedding, pillows or cot bumpers as these could cover your baby’s mouth or nose, or make them too hot.

11. Baby room thermometer

The ideal temperature for a newborn is between 16 and 20°C. But it’s not always easy or possible to keep your home at a consistent temperature.

A digital baby room thermometer like the Tommee Tippee GroEgg can help to alert you if the temperature is too hot or too cold.

That way, you can crank up the heating, open a window or just adjust what your baby is wearing.

12. Baby monitor

According to the NHS, your baby should sleep in the same room as you – both day and night – until they’re at least 6 months old.

However, whenever you do decide to move them into a different room, you’ll need to keep an eye on them using a baby monitor.

For a winter baby, it can be worth considering a baby monitor that also monitors the temperature of the room. That way, you can set it up to alert you if the temperature drops too low – or if you’ve cranked the heating up too high – so that you can adjust what your baby is wearing accordingly.

Don’t forget, you can keep track of items like this on Moonsift until you’re ready for them!

13. Hooded baby towel

After getting out of the bath, your newborn can quickly get cold.

Although you can technically use any towel to dry them, a hooded towel is the most practical – especially during winter.

This way, you can quickly wrap them up warm and cover their head, to get them cozy and dry in no time.

Make sure to buy a few as you’ll probably get through them quickly!

14. Bath thermometer

The temperature of your baby’s bathwater could drop quickly during the winter months.

That’s why investing in a bath thermometer could be a good idea.

When you know that the temperature is comfortable and safe, bathtime will be much more enjoyable for both you and baby.

Head over to our selection of newborn bath essentials for more bathtime must-haves for any time of year.

Winter essentials for baby: all the gear

Whether you’re out and about or huddled indoors, there are a few more must-haves that will tide you over during the colder months.

Here’s the lowdown.

15. Humidifier

If you’ve constantly got the heating on during those winter months, you might find that your home gets quite dry.

In this case, a humidifier can be a godsend.

A humidifier will help to soothe any dry skin or airways. Plus, it will create white noise, which could even help your little one to drift off to sleep!

16. Baby moisturizer

In a similar vein, if you’re out and about in very cold weather, your newborn’s delicate skin could easily become chapped or irritated.

That’s why it’s helpful to keep a soothing moisturizer to hand for your winter baby.

Just make sure that you choose one that’s suitable to be used on a baby’s delicate skin – the best moisturizers will be mild, gentle and safe. 

This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to buy one especially for babies. But doing so could give you peace of mind that it’s designed with your baby’s sensitive skin in mind.

17. In-ear thermometer

It’s almost impossible to get through the winter months without succumbing to colds and illnesses. Especially if you’re planning to send your little one to nursery!

An in-ear thermometer will become your go-to during cold and flu season, allowing you to easily check your baby’s temperature so that you can keep it within a safe range.

Which brings us onto…

18. Cold and flu essentials

When those sick days inevitably roll around, you’ll be a lot less stressed if you already have some remedies up your sleeve.

Calpol is a must for keeping temperatures down (just make sure you check the age range and follow the guidance on the packaging).

Many parents also swear by nasal aspirators (more affectionately known as snotsuckers), which can help you keep your little one’s nose clear from congestion.

19. Baby wipe warmer

Your newborn might not be too happy about being undressed during cold weather before being wiped over with a freezing cold wet wipe.

After all, how would you like it?

With that in mind, a baby wipe warmer could be a great shout.

It’s true that it’s not exactly an essential. But it will certainly help to make those winter diaper changes much less stressful for everyone involved!

20. Stroller footmuff

Just because it’s cold outdoors, that doesn’t mean you want to be stuck at home until spring rolls around.

Luckily, a stroller footmuff can make getting out and about a lot more convenient. 

Wriggly babies will just kick off a blanket, but a footmuff won’t go anywhere. It’ll also be much thicker than a blanket, providing more warmth in cold weather conditions.

Not to mention the fact that it won’t get forgotten at home – where your stroller goes, your footmuff goes too!

21. Car seat blanket

Similarly, a car seat blanket can make trips out of the house way more comfortable.

Stroller suits and coats aren’t safe for your little one to wear in their car seat. This is because padded clothing can prevent the car seat harness from holding your baby securely and safely.

On the other hand, a car seat blanket is tailored to accommodate your car seat harness, so that your baby can be wrapped up while being clipped securely into their seat.

This way, you can keep your newborn snug without sacrificing their safety.

Keep track of your newborn winter essentials with Moonsift

Now that you know what you need to keep your newborn cosy over winter, it’s time to start shopping for your baby!

Check out this collection of gorgeous newborn essentials for inspiration.

Then, create your own free collection on Moonsift. 

It’s a great way to keep track of everything (from any store in the world) in one easy-to-manage place until you’re ready to buy. 

You can even set your collection to ‘baby registry’ mode to share your wishlist with friends and family who might want to buy a little something for your new arrival.

So, what are you waiting for? Create a free account today.

FAQs

What does a newborn need for winter?

Your newborn will need clothing that can keep them warm during the cold winter months. 

This includes:

• Sleepsuits

• Bodysuits or vests

• Jumpers or cardigans

• Hats

• Mittens

• Booties

• A stroller suit

• Blankets

What do newborns wear in winter from hospital?

If your baby is born in a hospital, the first taste they’ll get of the outside world is when you bring them home. So, you’ll want to make sure they’re comfy and snug!

You’ll need to take into account the temperature and the weather. But as a rough guide, you could be looking at:

• A vest

• A sleepsuit or special outfit

• A jumper or cardigan

• Socks or booties

• A hat

• Mittens

• A stroller suit or blanket

While a stroller suit can be ideal for a chilly stroller ride home, keep in mind that it won’t be safe to wear in a car seat. 

Instead, if you’re bringing your newborn home in a car seat, consider purchasing a car seat blanket, or simply placing a cellular blanket over their lap once you’ve strapped them in. 

This way, you can keep them snug on the way to the car (and while the car warms up!) without sacrificing their safety.

What do newborns wear in winter inside?

In winter, a good rule of thumb is to dress your newborn in one extra layer than what you’re wearing. 

For example, if you’re wearing a top and jumper, your newborn will likely need:

• A vest

• A sleepsuit

• A cardigan or jumper

Always make sure to take off your baby’s outdoor clothing – such as hats and stroller suits – as soon as you bring them indoors, even if that means waking them up.

What should a newborn wear to sleep in winter?

In winter, most newborns will be fine wearing a sleepsuit and sleeping bag or lightweight cellular blanket to sleep in.

However, always check the tog ratings to make sure they’re suitable for the temperature of the room. And remove layers if your baby is sweating or their tummy feels hot.

If in doubt, it’s safer for your baby to be too cool than too hot. This is because overheating a baby can increase the risk of SIDS.

What temperature should the house be for a newborn in the winter?

Newborns don’t need your house to be super warm. Rather, it’s best to keep your home at a comfortable temperature.

The ideal is between 16 and 20°C.

We get that it’s not always easy to control the temperature of your home that precisely. So, the best solution is often to adjust what your baby is wearing.

Remove layers if they get too hot or add them if they’re chilly.

At night, you can adjust for the temperature of your room using layers of lightweight blankets (remember, a folded blanket counts as two blankets). Or, use a well-fitting sleeping bag with an appropriate tog rating.

How do I prepare my newborn for winter?

The best way to prepare your newborn for winter is to get hold of all the newborn winter essentials you’re likely to need.

This way, you won’t be scrambling around at the last minute when the temperature drops.

Remember, you can keep track of all the items you need right here on Moonsift until you're ready to buy, just create a free account.