Winter Baby Essentials: 13 Must-Haves for Cold Weather
When you’re prepping for a baby in the middle of winter, your registry can quickly shift from cute lightweight muslin blankets to newborn winter essentials like fur-lined stroller bunting that actually keep your little one warm and safe. That’s because the best winter baby must-haves aren’t just about comfort — according to the AAP, tiny babies lose heat faster than adults, which makes the right gear a safety necessity.
The good news? Shopping secondhand for baby winter essentials is a smart way to save, since little ones outgrow their cold-weather gear almost as quickly as you buy it. With a thoughtful winter baby essentials checklist, you’ll have everything you need — from baby cold weather accessories like mittens to registry-worthy gear like a stroller with rugged tires — to keep your little one snug all season long.
Winter Clothing + Accessories That’ll Keep Baby Warm
When temperatures drop, the right winter clothing and accessories can make all the difference in keeping your little one snug and comfortable, whether at home or out and about.
Sleep Sacks & Swaddles
Sleep sacks and swaddles are winter essentials for keeping your baby warm while they sleep, without the risk of a loose blanket in the crib. (According to the AAP, your little one should be one year or older before you allow items like this in the crib.) A cozy, wearable layer in a fabric like fleece or merino wool is an easy way to help regulate body temperature and prevent chills during naptime or overnight.
Our Picks:
Bunting Suit
A bunting-style coat is a winter must-have for keeping your baby warm during outings, especially in strollers. Look for coats made with insulated, water-resistant fabrics and soft fleece linings to trap heat without adding bulk.
Our Pick:
Winter Home & Nursery Must-Haves
Even indoors, winter can bring dry air, clanking pipes and other little annoyances that make your baby uncomfortable. A few key home and nursery essentials can help maintain a cozier environment.
Humidifier
Winter air is notoriously dry (especially if you have a forced air heating system), which can leave your baby’s skin, nose and throat irritated. A humidifier adds moisture to the air, helping to prevent congestion and keep your little one comfortable while they snooze.
Our Picks:
Sound Machine
Cold weather can bring a lot of unexpected household noises — clanking pipes, heating systems kicking on or wind rattling windows — that might disturb your baby’s sleep. A sound machine creates a consistent, soothing background noise that helps mask these distractions to help promote longer naps and better overnight rest.
Our Picks:
Feeding, Diapering & Health Essentials
From stuffy noses to cold fingers and toes during diaper changes, winter brings its own set of feeding, diapering and health challenges. A few key essentials can help make these daily tasks easier and keep your baby healthier and more comfortable all season long.
Bottle Warmer
Winter mornings are already chilly, and a cold bottle can make feeding time stressful for both you and your baby. A bottle warmer quickly heats milk to a comfortable, consistent temperature with minimal effort on your part.
Our Picks:
Nasal Aspirator
Winter air can dry out tiny noses and make congestion more common, especially when colds are going around. A nasal aspirator helps gently clear your baby’s nasal passages, making it easier for them to breathe, feed and sleep comfortably.
Our Pick:
Wipes Warmer
Ice-cold wipes can make diaper changes uncomfortable for your baby, but a simple wipes warmer keeps those wipes at a cozy temperature for a more pleasant experience—for both of you—since there will be fewer tears and less squirming
Our Pick:
On-the-Go & Outdoor Winter Essentials
Winter walks and errands can be tricky when you’re juggling layers, cold hands and a squirmy baby. The right on-the-go gear makes it easier to stay warm, organized and stress-free while you’re out and about.
Car Seat
A properly installed car seat is non-negotiable, no matter the season. But in winter, there’s an added safety detail to keep in mind: Bulky coats and puffy snowsuits can create dangerous slack under a car seat’s harness straps, which means your baby isn’t as secure as you think.
“Buckle your child snugly, then place a blanket or coat over the harness,” says Amanda, GoodBuy Gear’s chief of staff and in-house CPST.
Our Picks:
Looking for more car seat help? Check out our Car Seat Buying Guide for expert recommendations and insight.
Car Seat Cover
Unlike bulky coats, a car seat cover goes over the car seat and straps, trapping heat while letting you buckle your baby snugly. It’s an easy way to keep your little one cozy on chilly trips without risking dangerous slack in the harness.
Our Pick:
Rugged Stroller
A sturdy, all-terrain stroller is a winter must-have for navigating snow, ice and slushy sidewalks. Look for models with large, durable wheels and good suspension to make walks smoother and safer for you and your little one.
Our Picks:
Further Reading: The Best Strollers for Snow and Winter Weather
Baby Carrier
A baby carrier is a great alternative to a stroller, particularly if the conditions on the ground are less than favorable. With your newborn snuggly strapped to your chest, you won’t have to worry about pushing wheels through snow, slush and ice — you can run errands or go for a walk without lugging lots of gear.
Our Pick:
Stroller Handmuffs
Cold hands can make winter walks uncomfortable, especially when you’re pushing a stroller for long stretches. Stroller handmuffs keep your hands warm and protected from wind, snow and freezing temperatures without the need for bulky gloves.
Our Pick:
Stroller Footmuff or Bunting Bag
These insulated, one-piece covers protect tiny feet, legs and torsos from wind, snow and chilly temperatures, while still fitting safely over car seat or stroller straps.
Our Picks:
Winterized Diaper Bag
A winterized diaper bag is a diaper bag made from weather-resistant material and packed specifically for cold-weather outings. Fill it with winter essentials like extra hats and socks, a waterproof pouch for messy items, travel-size lotion for dry skin and a nasal aspirator. Pro tip: Keep a spare pair of mittens on hand, too — they’re almost always the first things to go missing.
Our Picks:
Tips for Building a Winter Baby Registry
Building a winter baby registry can save you from a last-minute scramble when temperatures drop. Seasonal gear — like bunting bags, stroller accessories and cozy sleepwear — often sells out quickly, too, so adding these essentials early helps ensure your little one stays warm and comfy from day one.
Winter Baby Registry Checklist
Travel & Outdoor Gear
- Rugged stroller
- Stroller handmuffs
- Stroller footmuff or bunting bag
- Winterized diaper bag
- Car seat
- Car seat cover
Clothing & Sleep Essentials
- Sleep sacks & swaddles
- Bunting-style coat or snowsuit
- Winter hats and mittens
- Warm socks or booties
- Layering onesies
Home & Nursery
Feeding & Health
- Bottle warmer
- Nasal aspirator
- Wipes warmer
- Lotion
- Infant acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Motrin)
- Thermometer
- Extra hats, socks and mittens
For Mom (Postpartum in Winter)
- Postpartum robe
- Non-slip slippers or socks
- Nursing-friendly sweaters or hoodies
- Nipple cream and breast pads
- Breast pump
- Large water bottle
- Postpartum recovery essentials (pads, peri bottle, witch hazel pads)
How to Add GoodBuy Gear Items to Your Babylist Registry
According to our latest Resale Report, tariffs are expected to drive up the cost of baby gear by at least 20%, and a recent Babylist poll found that two out of three expecting parents turn to secondhand items as their go-to way to save. Adding GoodBuy Gear items to your registry is a smart way to score high-quality baby essentials for less.
Here’s how to add GBG items to your Babylist registry:
- Add the Babylist button to your Bookmarks bar.
- Once the button is installed, browse GoodBuy Gear and click the ‘Add to Registry’ Babylist button on any product you love to add it directly to your registry.
It’s really that simple!
Pro Tip: Toggle on ‘Open to Secondhand’ in Babylist to let family and friends know you’re open to gently used baby gear.
Winter Baby FAQ
What are some go-to remedies for a stuffy nose?
Go-to remedies for a stuffy nose include nasal saline drops, gentle suction with a bulb syringe or nasal aspirator like NoseFrida, using a cool-mist humidifier or vaporizer, bathroom steam sessions and keeping your baby well hydrated, according to the AAP.
How often should you bathe a newborn in the winter?
In the winter, you should bathe a newborn no more than three times per week, according to the AAP. They also recommend limiting each bath to less than 10 minutes to prevent dry, irritated skin.
How can you prevent your newborn from getting dry skin in the winter months?
To prevent your newborn from getting dry skin in the winter months, keep baths short (under 10 minutes) and use lukewarm water instead of hot. The AAP also suggests choosing gentle, fragrance-free cleansers and moisturizing your baby’s skin at least twice a day. Other helpful tips include dressing your baby in soft, breathable fabrics, using a humidifier to combat dry indoor air and washing clothes and linens with fragrance-free detergents.
At home, what should we set our heat to for a winter baby?
Many experts suggest setting your heat between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit, but the AAP notes that the exact temperature for avoiding overheating isn’t fixed. A simple guideline: Dress your infant in one layer more than an adult would be comfortable wearing in the same room.
What should I bring my baby home from the hospital in?
Bring your baby home from the hospital in one more layer than you are wearing. In colder weather, that usually means several layers — like an undershirt and diaper, pajamas, a soft cap and socks. Remember: Never put bulky coats or blankets under the car seat harness; instead, place them over the straps to keep your newborn warm and safe on the ride home.
Bringing home a baby during the winter can feel overwhelming, but with the right newborn winter essentials, you’ll be well-equipped to keep them safe and snug all season. And because little ones outgrow gear so quickly, shopping secondhand at GoodBuy Gear is a smart way to save while stocking up.
About the Author, Brigitt Earley
GoodBuy Gear Contributing Writer
Brigitt Earley is a freelance writer and editor based in New Jersey. She currently works for a wide variety of women's lifestyle publications including What to Expect, BabyCenter, Good Housekeeping, and more. Her previous experience includes more than 8 years at RealSimple.com, most recently as deputy editor. Brigitt is no stranger to baby gear, either. She has four kids, including a set of twins, born within 3.5 years of one another.