may/June 05 Moms- Winter Outerwear?

[Southlooper]

My DD recieved some winter clothes this past month. Among the items was a cute little winter jacket sized 6-12 months. I was wondering how practical it would be for DD to use a jacket rather than a snowsuit or bunting during her first Chicago winter.

What did you use the first winter?

[lee60657]

Southlooper: I live in Chicago, too. DD was born in Feb. so the rest of that winter I used a bunting. This past winter DD (she was around 10-13 mths old) had a cute faux fur jacket that worked fine. It was really thick. She also had a nice thick coat from Lands' End. I would just put a stroller blanket around her legs in the stroller and she always wore a hat and gloves when we went out. She also had a snowsuit that she wore if we were going to play in the snow, but if we were just going out she wore one of her coats. Hope that helps!

[BusyBee]

We used jackets in the fall in NY. She got a winter jacket that she used until Thanksgiving. Most of the winter was in a down snowsuit, though. I bought 24m size. It was big in December, but by the end of February it fit much better. The hands and feet have pockets that folded over to close them. I think she might even wear it again this winter - her arms and legs will be too long to close the ends, but she'll wear mittens and boots instead.

[allyray231]

We live in NY and it we used jackets. He had a nice thick down coat for when it got really cold and we used his bundel me on the stroller anytime he was outside.

I am not a big fan of snowsuits but that is just me :)

[DisneyGirl]

I had a May 05 baby and I used a winter jacket instead of a snowsuit/bunting. To me snowswuit get to warm for the baby in the car, plus there is no real reason for a snowsuit/bunting unless you intend on he/she being outside for a long periods of time.

I think a jacket and a few fleece blankets I think you will be fine

[psusna]

I’m a May 05 mom and DS experienced winter in the south and in the north. First, I agree with PPs that snowsuits are a PITA! I’m shocked DS isn’t traumatized from his snowsuit experience. That said I did a LOT of layering so I bought some winter clothes in bigger sizes (sweaters and coats). Example: when it was winter here in the south he would go out in a lightweight t-shirt with either a button down shirt or turtleneck onesie over that plus either a sweater or a coat on top of that with mittens, etc. When we were up north during the winter, the sweater/sweatshirt was standard fare plus the coat, hat, mittens, etc. What I did use more than the complete snowsuit itself was the coat that came with it.

A few other things he lived in during the winter: lined jeans, cords, sweatpants, the lightweight lounge pants from Old Navy (he had really cute alligator ones :) and fleece, zip up PJs.

[Sasha]

I had a May '05 baby (granted I live in FL, so the winter jacket didn't get used too often ;)) and when we went to visit relatives in cold climate places during the winter, I used a winter jacket as opposed to a snowsuit, and then put a blanket on her. My SIL did give me my niece's old snow uit from when she was that age, but it was just so bulky and big. Thought it would be a huge hassle to get her in and out of it as well.

Then again, Chicago winters are pretty bad, so I guess that is something for you to consider as well.

[usafwife]

DD was born in late June last year. We bought a lightweight fleece bunting type thing to use when it got cold. Her hands could be outside or fold over and be covered. We used it at the Christmas parade, when we were going to be outside for a long period of time and needed to be more covered up. For the carseat we got a carseat cover at the baby shower and we used that instead of putting the fleece bunting on. We could take off the cover once we got in the car so she wouldn't get too hot. One thing with snowsuits (and similar items) is that the child can get too hot/warm while riding in the car with them on.

[myshel]

July 2005 baby here. During the winter, we used a fleece snowsuit type thing. I hesitate to call it a snowsuit, because it wasn't extremely heavy. When we were carrying DS in the carseat, he wore the fleece suit covered with a heavy blanket. When we went into a store, we just opened the top part of the suit and took his arms out.

On really long car rides, we just dressed him typical winter indoor clothes, covered him with blankets, and then uncovered him in the car.

[lil_nance]

We used a thick fleece jacket (sometimes with a hooded sweatshirt underneath) and fleece blankets. If we were out for a long time (Christmas tree hunting and playing in the snow) he wore his snow suit. I got the snowsuit because I thought he HAD to have one, but he only wore it 2-3 times. I liked two piece fleece outfits for under the jacket (hoodie & pants) if we were going to be out or visiting someone else's house that was cooler.

[hmbay]

jacket with a blanket should be fine. Actually I've read somewhere that thicker jackets or snowsuits make carseat straps somewhat unsafe--you should actually dress the baby in thin but warm fleece and toss a blanket over top--the less bulk between the carseat strap and the baby the less likely for the strap to slide down or hold properly if you are in an accident.

[spps]

DS was a June 05 baby and we used a winter jacket for him. As a pp said it is unsafe to have them in the carseat in bulky jackets. We would pop him in the carseat and cover him in blankets, and then put on his jacket when we reached our destination.

[kimthebride]

My son was born on June 3rd, and we traveled to Chicago for Thanksgiving & Christmas....my ILs all live out there so I am very familiar with the weather.

My DS wore a winter coat with a hood, hat etc through Xmas. We were inside most of the time, and last year the weather wasn't too terrible. It wasn't until say Jan/Feb I began putting him in the one-piece snowsuit on a regular basis.

If I kept him mostly in the stroller, though, I have a very warm, insulated, wind/waterproof zip-up bunting. So I'd keep him in a coat so he wouldn't overheat.

I'd say use the coat, and see how happy you are with it. By the time it gets to Dec/Jan you'll have a good idea of whether it will work for you for the colder months. If its not enough, by then the snowsuits will be on sale. ;)