The Best Winter Layers for Babies and Toddlers
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Is there a secret to helping your kiddos enjoy the outdoors in the winter?
Besides making sure they get out in all types of weather, the key is providing them with winter layers that are non-restrictive and warm enough to regulate their body heat and keep out cold temperatures.
We’re going to cover our perfect layering system for the youngest kiddos (infants and toddlers) and provide you with recommendations for our favorite winter clothes — layers that are warm, durable, and, dare I say, stylish?
Living in Vermont, where we get six months of cold weather every year, we realized early on that the key to providing kids with fun and memorable outdoor experiences is starting with the right cold-weather clothes.
When our kids were wee babies, my husband and I decided that the only way to stay sane in the winter was to get everyone outside every single day.
We did this rain or shine for years and years, and now that our kids are grown, they still make a habit of getting outside every day.
We are lucky to live in a time when there is an incredible array of choices for winter clothes for babies and toddlers.
After raising kids in Vermont for over 20 years, we have a lot to share about the best cold-weather clothing, from toddler snow pants and mittens to cozy base layers for winter weather that won’t let you or your kids down.
You’ve probably heard the saying: ‘There is no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing.’ For our kids to truly enjoy being outside on cold days, they have to be warm.
We experimented for years until we found the right clothing system for winter. Our babies always had rosy cheeks, but we knew they were toasty under their extra layers.
Table of Contents
First, a Few Cold-Weather Tips for Dressing Babies and Toddlers
What you dress your little one in for a few hours outside depends on several variables.
First, if you have a baby who isn’t walking yet, will you put them in a stroller or a baby carrier when you go out adventuring? Babies who will be hanging out next to your own body warmth won’t need as many layers as babies in a stroller.
The outdoor temperature and the wind chill are huge considerations, as is the distance from your home base. If you are adventuring a considerable distance from home, being over-prepared is better — always pack an extra layer! If you’re hanging out in the backyard, you can adjust your winter baby clothes as needed.
Here are a few tips for keeping your babies and toddlers snug and warm in the winter.
- Keep their heads and feet covered. Kids will stay out longer if they’re comfortable, and little feet and ears can get cold fast. Look for warm, woolly socks to help regulate their body temperature and hats that tie or Velcro under the chin so they stay in place.
- Keep mittens secured with clips, or sew a long string between them so that they can be attached to your child’s jacket. You can never have too many pairs of toddler mittens. They seem to always be getting lost!
- Instead of bulky scarves that can get lost or caught in things, try a fleece neck warmer (we love these from Turtle Fur). Even though they’re relatively lightweight, they offer plenty of warmth, plus they’re easy to wash and soft against your kids’ skin.
- Keep thermal layers snug and the top layers big. Your baby or toddler’s waterproof layer can be one or two sizes larger than what your child normally wears, but ensure the base layer (the layer of clothing next to your baby’s skin) and the insulating layer fit snugly so that they trap heat in cold temperatures.
The Best Baby Winter Clothes: Base Layers
When choosing winter clothes for babies and toddlers, we work with three main layers for warmth: the base layer, an insulating layer, and the waterproof layer.
Outstanding Base Layers for Babies and Toddlers
The base layer is the one that sits next to your baby or toddler’s skin. It should wick away moisture (either from sweat or from leaky diapers). We love both Capilene and Merino wool base layers.
Capilene is more affordable and easier to care for than Merino, making it a great option for new parents. However, wool is warmer than Capilene; it’s naturally antimicrobial, breathable, and doesn’t smell. Unlike wool clothing of old, modern Merino wool clothing doesn’t itch, and it’s usually machine washable!
Here are our top picks for thermal base layers for toddlers and infants.
Top Baby Clothes for Winter Layering: Ecoable Thermal Footed Romper
I can’t say enough great things about Merino wool for babies and toddlers. These beautiful rompers by Ecoable are made from 70% organic wool and 30% silk, with snap closures on the bottom for easy diaper changes.
With sizes ranging from 0 to 24 months, these one-piece rompers come in a variety of colors that are perfect for both boys and girls.
Merino is naturally anti-microbial, wicks away moisture, and provides superior warmth, even when wet. In short, Merino is a miracle fabric, and we recommend it for keeping kiddos warm on the coldest winter days.
Two wool rompers should do it for the whole winter: one to wear and one to wash. No matter what you put on top of this romper, it’s a perfect layer for everyday wear in the winter.
Another Great Infant Merino Wool Layer Option: Merino Wool Onesie from Woolino
Another all-natural, extra-soft option for your baby’s cold-weather base layer is this organic Merino wool long-sleeve onesie by Woolino, available in sizes from newborn to 12 months.
Merino maintains a comfortable temperature in both warm and cool conditions, and unlike synthetics, wool retains its warmth even when damp. Merino wool is also naturally flame-retardant without the use of chemicals.
We were excited to find these adorable onesies in five different pastel colors. Woolino also has a great line of Merino shirts and pants that make great base layers for babies and toddlers.
Our Favorite Toddler Winter Layers: Merino Wool Wins Again!
100% of the softest Merino wool layers provide warmth that allows kids to run and play outdoors while staying warm and maintaining their core temperature.
Both the Woolino Merino leggings and long-sleeved shirt are soft and breathable without being a bit itchy.
Merino wool’s natural properties keep your toddler perfectly cozy and dry, regulating temperature, wicking moisture, and resisting odors.
They come in lots of great colors that your kiddos will love, and with proper care, they will last for a long time (for multiple kids or as great hand-me-downs).
Insulation Layers for Babies and Toddlers
While your child’s base layer will generally remain the same throughout the winter, the choice for your baby’s insulation layer will depend significantly on the day’s weather and your outdoor activities with your kids.
Fleece, wool, and down all work well as insulators, adding warmth without the bulk, so your kids can still get around!
Many jackets for babies and toddlers include both an insulating layer and a waterproof layer. There is nothing wrong with this approach, but for greater versatility, we typically opt for a waterproof jacket for kids that can be used in three seasons, along with a separate insulating layer.
Here’s what we recommend for an insulating layer for your baby or toddler.
Patagonia Furry Friends Hoody
How adorable is this baby hoodie from Patagonia? This is an awesome mid-weight layer for babies and toddlers.
It’s made from 100% recycled polyester fleece that is Fair Trade Certified sewn. Plus, it features hand-warmer pockets and is available in several adorable colors.
I wish they made these in adult sizes, but they are available in sizes ranging from 3 months to 5T.
Microfleece Bottoms for Babies from Patagonia
Incredibly soft fleece bottoms for babies that can double as pajamas. These pants are available in various colors, patterns, and sizes, ranging from 3 months to 5T.
Made just for little ones, these pull-on pants are crafted from warm, soft 100% recycled polyester fleece and can be worn alone or over a Merino base layer.
Columbia Snowtop Infant Bunting
For babies that aren’t walking yet, choose a one-piece fleece bunting. That way, the cold is less likely to sneak in.
This fleece bunting from Columbia is buttery-soft and incredibly warm, available in sizes up to 24 months.
The only issue we had with the one-piece bunting was trying to change diapers with all those layers, but that’s a pain regardless of how you look at it.
Patagonia down sweater jacket for babies and toddlers
For colder weather, nothing beats the insulating power of down.
You get supreme warmth without the massive bulk. This layer from Patagonia is water-resistant, windproof, and ultralight.
On the coldest, snowiest days, this is a great middle layer for babies and toddlers, paired with Capilenene or wool underneath and a waterproof shell on top.
Nice features include zippered hand-warmer pockets and a zipper garage to protect your baby’s chin from being pinched.
These come in sizes ranging from 3 months to 5T, and are available in a variety of cool colors and patterns.
The Final Layer for Babies and Toddlers: A Waterproof Shell
For the last layer, you’re looking for a waterproof shell, otherwise known as a snowsuit. Most baby and toddler snowsuits are insulated for extra warmth, but if you look for a snowsuit with less insulation, you can layer it as needed. You can even use it as a rain shell in warm weather.
The last thing you want is for your toddlers to be so overdressed that they can’t get out the door, so maximize warmth while minimizing weight. Here are some of our favorite snowsuits for babies and toddlers.
Patagonia Snow Pile One-Piece Snowsuit for Toddlers – Hands-down our favorite snowsuit for toddlers. This awesome snowsuit is incredibly waterproof and windproof, featuring taped seams, non-bulky polyester insulation, a grow-fit feature that allows you to add up to two inches to the cuffs, and elastic bootstraps to prevent the pants from riding up. Sizing ranges from 2T to 4T, and there are several colors and patterns to choose from.
Columbia Infant Powder Lite™ II Reversible Bunting– This reversible bunting for babies has an easy, lightly relaxed fit for a comfortable 
Kids Toddler Rain Suit from Fewlby: Zero insulation and 100% waterproof, this adorable one-piece rain suit is perfect for those really wet days and comes in sizes from 1T to 10.
The Best Socks and Mittens for Toddlers and Babies
Keeping little hands and feet warm is crucial for happy winter kids, but it’s also the hardest to do. Little socks and mittens are notorious for falling off and getting lost inside your kids’ boots or, worse, in the snow.
We have yet to find infant socks that stay on reliably. For the smallest babies, we recommend the baby wool socks mentioned below. For older babies who aren’t crawling, opt for the longer toddler socks and pull them up over their long underwear to prevent them from falling off.
Wool Socks for Infants and Toddlers
Stretchy wool is the ideal choice for socks for babies and toddlers. You want socks to stay put and keep your kiddos warm. Unfortunately, most of my favorite sock brands don’t make socks in toddler or infant sizes. Here’s what I’d recommend:
Woolino Wool Baby Socks: These amazing wool socks are long enough to pull up over your baby’s base layer, ensuring they stay in place. They are a blend of Merino wool and polyester and are machine washable, but shouldn’t be put in the dryer.
These plush Eocom socks for babies and toddlers are made from 45% wool, 40% polyester, and 5% spandex. The set comes with six pairs of socks in different colors, and they are machine washable.
These cozy socks will provide your kiddos with extra insulation while also wicking away moisture. They are available in sizes newborn to 5T.
Merino wool socks for toddlers by MOGGEI: Made from 70% Merino wool and 23% polyester, these cozy socks are ultra warm, affordable, and easy to care for.
They are available in packs of six pairs featuring different color combinations for both boys and girls, sizes 1T and up.
Baby and Toddler Mittens
Mittens are tough because little ones just don’t seem to want to keep them on. Our kids had very different philosophies about mitten-wearing. One would happily wear them, and the other would either rip them off or cry and scream if he couldn’t rip them off.
We tried the super long-sleeved mittens for both of them and loved them most of the time. They keep wrists warm and are practically impossible to get off, so if that appeals to you, give them a try. I don’t recommend gloves because they just don’t offer enough warmth for little fingers.
Patagonia Baby Puff Mittens – These guys are really easy to put on, and the best news is that they actually stay on! Elasticized cuffs seal in heat, and 100 grams of Thermolite keep little fingers toasty. They come in a variety of sizes and colors, too!
Gordini Snugget Down Mittens for Toddlers – Some kids (and parents) prefer the zipper for easy on/off action. These 
The micro denier lining is great for wicking away moisture from the hands, and palm and thumb reinforcements make them durable and rugged.
What are your favorite winter layers for toddlers and babies? Drop your best picks in the comments.
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Thanks for this! So helpful!
Do you think they would be ok with 1) wool base layer 2) insulating fleece/puffer jacket 3)waterproof *non-padded* shell jacket in UK weather which is like will only drop to like -2C on the coldest of days but will normally stay around 5C?
It depends a bit on how active they are. For infants, the three layers make up a perfect combination at those temperatures. For active toddlers, all three layers might be too warm in the temperatures you mention, but you can mix and match based on the conditions. Wool layer, then just the puffer jacket if it’s not windy or rainy, or just the waterproof shell if it’s rainy/windy.
Our toddlers were comfortable in all three layers during cold outings with an average temperature of -10C.
Thank you!