Holly Schults is the founder and president of The Baby Gizmo Company. From wearable blankets to stroller bunting bags, she is here to show us how to keep your little one all bundled up this winter.
< a href=http://www.babygizmo.com target="_blank">BabyGizmo.com
1) Have Baby Wear a Blanket at Night
Thanks to the American Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Institute we are now aware that putting an infant to sleep with extra bedding increases the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Armed with this knowledge it becomes a tricky balance in keeping your tot warm at night. A terrific alternative to a blanket is a sack or a wearable blanket that zips up the front and is placed over pajamas.
- Example: The Gunapod ($29.50) is a new wearable blanket that unzips from the bottom so parents can easily change a diaper or allow baby's feet to move freely. It also unzips in many combinations so that baby does not feel trapped or uncomfortable and to allow it to be put on or taken off without waking a sleeping baby.
http://gunamuna.com/
2) Bundle 'em in a Stroller
Chicago winters can be brutal so a stroller bunting bag is a cold weather necessity. It's like putting a well-fitting sleeping bag around your child to keep them warm during the ride.
- Example: The BundleMe Arctic ($85) eliminates the need for blankets and jackets. It has a removable top for easy temperature control, a tweed outer shell that is weather-resistant and an inner fleece lining to keep baby nice and warm.
http://www.babygizmo.com/p/jj_cole_arctic_bundle_me_toddler,_cocoa_lagoon/bmatcl.html
3) Keep Moms Hands Warm
It's not all about baby in the winter. Mom's hands can get quite cold while pushing the stroller. Thanks to some great companies, mom or dad can keep their hands warm with stroller hand muffs.
- Example: The 7 A.M. Enfant Hand Muffs ($38) attach to any stroller handle to keep hands warm, cozy and dry with their waterproof shell and cozy lining.
http://www.artebebe.com/catalog/p17402/7am-Enfant/7am-enfant-Stroller-Hand-Muffs-38/product_info.html
4) Put a Coat on that Infant Car Seat!
Instead of throwing a blanket over baby that will end up falling in the snow or compromising the safety straps of the car seat with an under-the-baby bunting bag, an over the car seat cover is an adorable alternative to keeping baby warm and out of the elements in their infant car seat.
- Example: Created by a local Chicago mom, the BabbaCover ($65) is a car seat cover that is like putting a coat or jacket on the car seat! The cover features an elastic handle opening allows sure grip on the car seat handle, window flaps both in front and back make for easy access to baby and side cargo pockets on both sides for storage.
http://tinyurl.com/6mbrv9q
5) Baby Leg Warmers
Leg warmers made especially for babies and toddlers help keep little legs warm, especially the often exposed skin between the sock and the bottom of the pant or skirt.
- Example: BabyLegs ($12) is a brilliant alternative to tights allowing us to keep our little girls in dresses in the winter and are also great for our little potty-trainers. For extra cold days layer the leg warmers over tights to keep the little legs even warmer.
http://www.babylegs.com/
6) Snow Pants that Grow
Snow pants are a necessity for outside play in the winter. Since kids grow fast and most snow pants only last one season, look for ones that grow with your child.
- Example: The One Step Ahead Cozy Cub Snow Pants/Bibs with Adjustable Hem ($39) are rugged, reinforced, water-repellent pants that truly grow with your child. These snow pants will give you an extra two inches of length when you snip the hem stitch to allow them to be used next year too.
http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/
BIO
Hollie Schultz, mother of three, is the founder and President of The Baby Gizmo Company. A product testing and research coalition of moms, pediatricians and child development experts, The Baby Gizmo Company publishes Babygizmo.com, the Web's only baby product resource site featuring third party, indepth expert reviews and a price comparison engine with over 25,000 products.
Hollie is a baby gear expert and "spokesmom" who has focused extensively on baby gear for over 6 years attending baby gear tradeshows, personally reviewing thousands of baby products and having personal relationships with hundreds of manufacturers and companies.
Hollie is the host of the Baby Gizmo Video Reviews giving moms the inside look at baby products before they purchase them. Hollie is also an accomplished author. Her first book, The Baby Gizmo Buying Guide, was published by Thomas Nelson in February 2008. Hollie currently resides in Chicago. When not testing strollers on her stroller obstacle course, she fills her days with her husband and her three adorable children.
