How should a 6-month old be dressed going outdoors in NY in the Winter?

Question

I am fighting a war with my wife and her mother on how to dress our baby going from the house to the car. (outdoor exposure 45 seconds). I am convinced tha tthe baby does not need to be over dressed, Just a hat and a blanket should be enough, but they insist a sweater is needed, etc.
I need advice. Our pediatrician, insists that cold exposure has nothing to do with getting sick.
I am conviced that the more clothes the baby wears, the more sensitive to cold weather he will be in the future. Is tolerance to temperature genetic? or the body/mind learn with exposure? HELP!!

Answer 1

ROFL because I get into this argument with my in-laws, friends, total strangers at the supermarket ("But her little hands must be freezing!"), etc. all the time. I had to buy a snowsuit for when she goes to the in-laws...which is never used here.
If you're going from a heated building to a heated car, a hat and blanket are fine. I'd bring along a sweater, extra clothing, etc. just in case something happens (like the car breaking down), but, honestly, it's not a huge deal.
You're also not supposed to let a baby wear a jacket/snowsuit/etc. in a car seat, as the car seat straps won't restrain properly. So, if you're going to dress baby all bulky for that 45 second walk, you're just going to have to undress her again.
If mom's doing the carting, let her dress the baby how she wants. If you're doing the carting, dress the baby how you want. Unless there is some health problem, most babies can regulate their body temperature pretty well by the end of the first month. The rule of thumb is to dress Baby how YOU will be dressed, possibly with one more layer, if you want to be on the safe side. If you're wearing a shirt and jacket, then Baby's shirt and blanket should be fine (two layers for both of you). If you're busting out the ski parka, throw a sweater on the kid.
And cold does not cause colds. Cold and flu germs are more prevelent in the winter because of increased time spent indoors with others (and, hence, more germs in a confined area).
I don't know about tolerance being genetic. It could be. I'm always cold, but my husband burns like a furnace. Our baby's got better temp. reg. than I do; she's always warm, and will kick/pull off extra clothing.

Answer 2

The general rule of thumb would be that the baby needs one more layer than what you need. This extra layer is usually taken care of by dressing the baby in an undershirt or onesie. The undershirt counts as an extra layer. And always use a hat. That's most important. I am from WI so I do know what I'm talking about...

Answer 3

The baby should wear no more than you do when are are exposed to the cold that long but remember even though you are not wearing a hat the baby needs to because there is little or no hair on the baby's head

Answer 4

A baby needs a snowsuit, hat and mittens to go out in the cold in New York. Do no try to teach your baby tolerance for cold when it is too young to tell you they are cold or hot. You're wife and mother in law are right on this one, go out and buy that baby some warm clothes.

Answer 5

A baby needs more warmth than adults. They have different heat tolerance so this must be considered when dressing the baby.

Answer 6

My kids' doctor always said dress the baby how you would dress yourself. If you are warm in a hat and mittens and winter coat than put that on your baby. You don't have to "bundle" them up.

Answer 7

light jacket with a hood or if you have baby boot use that on a carseat and it covers the baby while in the carseat. that is the easiest way of protecting the baby but also i would use a hat also. we, moms, like to overdress our babies!

Answer 8

no. you want to cover the baby well. listen to your wife. htere is no such thing as developing tolerace. he/she will be fine

Answer 9

one more layer then you are comfortable in!