Should a scarf be used for a baby?

Question

I live in the "great white north" aka Canada, and its pretty cold here these days. My son is almost a year old. My husband thinks the baby should be wearing a scarf. I'm leaning against it since I've read it can be a hazard.

Any advice?

Answer 1

I use a scarf frostbite is no good, and I too am in Canada.

However make sure you get a long enough scarf and put it on FIRST. Wrap place the middle over the mouth, wrap towards the back of the head, cross and bring back to the front, personally I wouldn't tie it. Then put the jacket/snowsuit over top(I put mitts on before jacket too, but you know do whatever youd o). The ends of the scarf should not be visible above or below the jacket. This will stop them from getting caught on things. The back of the scarf can be protected by a hood. That just leaves the front.

However, that isn't to say you are wrong. However depending on how cold you do need something on the face. You can get short scarfs that velcro closed and are only enough to wrap around once. I have often wondered if you can get baby ski masks, as that would keep them nice and warm. You could also make a dickie out of a small adult turtle neck it should be loose enough to pull over the face but tight enough to stay put. You could add a velcro closure for further safety.

If your son is laying in the stroller a blanket can be placed over the face (a loose weave).

Also vaseline can prevent windburn.

However use your best judgement, just because something is right for me and my son doesn't make it right for you. I don't think the scarf is bad so long as the ends aren't loose to snag on things, but any of the other solutions would work too. Also I spend 1-2 hours outside most days, you probably need nothing if you are only going out for a short time.

Answer 2

My daughter is about 27-28lbs, and yesterday I put my son in the stroller and she rode on my back. It was comfortable, didn't hurt my back that much, was about a 2 mile walk up a very steep hill and down hills. We use the Ergo, which is rated to 40lbs (but has carried far more than that.) Benefit? My 3 year old chattered in my ear the whole time, it was very easy to hear her and talk to her. :P So far, I haven't had to buy a doublestroller. (She just can't keep up on a good exercising aerobic walk, even at 3.) So with the Ergo, up to 40lbs. (Ergo's website says it has been tested up to 90lbs.) I recommend the Ergo because of the others I've tried it has never hurt me. I have had SLIGHT hip and back aches when trying to carry them up front (about 25-27lbs) and walking a distance. The belt rests on my hips and tugs a little. I don't have this problem if they're on my back or side. When they're little, facing you is better. When they're older, they may enjoy facing out more. My kids like riding on my back and looking over my shoulder, and my son has never shown any interest in facing forward (the Ergo doesn't face forward from a front carrying position.) Now that he can ride on my back, if he rides on my back then that works best so he can see everything but also cuddle if he wants. There's only concern if your baby is facing your back for like 24/7, then there's concern of spatial vision supposedly, but not for a few hours a week. I know that the lady from Baby Signing Time uses carriers for hiking all over. Lucy has cerebral palsy and at 11 weighs 50lbs according to her blog. They can't get wheelchairs where they want to take her, so they babywear her in backpacks. "Now we have a custom Baby Hawk, we call it a Lucy Hawk, a Deuter Kid Comfort III, an Organic Ergo Baby*, and an old framed Kelty pack." She has some tips as well, you might find her interesting to read and the pictures of them interesting. :)

Answer 3

Those little knit caps might keep his little head warmer than a scarf (if we're thinking of the same kind of scarf?). They have them that tie or fasten under the chin. He does need something on his head though. It's a proven fact that a lot of body heat is lost through the top of the head. My husband is bald and his head gets a lot colder than mine in the winter. Not to mention sunburned in the summer--LOL! He wears a baseball caps outside most of the time.

Answer 4

I'm also from the great north. When both my children grew out of their infant car seats I started to wrap them each in a scarf. In the infant seat you could pile the blankets on but once their in just a snow suit, you need as much warmth as you can. I would say use a scarf.

Answer 5

Put a scarf on him!!! He is not going to be playing alone at under a year old is he? Put the scarf on and make sure it doesn't get caught in anything, i'm assuming you would be standing right there.

Answer 6

if you do use a scar if suggest that you cut it just so if fits around the baby's face and neck with his outer ware on and maybe sew some snaps or Velcro on the end to lessen the risk of strangulation and still have the benefits of a scarf

Answer 7

Get a snow suit thing, nothing should ever be put around a babys neck like that

Answer 8

no way!!! if ur son tries to pull it off when ur not looking he could end up choking himself under those chubby cheeks and neck. i see it as a choking hazard. id just zip his jacket all the way up. maybe give him a nice warm hat to wear with his jacket.

Answer 9

It absolutely is a choking hazard. Do NOT use a scarf.

Answer 10

I'm with you- it is a choking hazard.