Our baby was born in early January and we used a JJ Cole Bundle Me to keep her warm and snuggly. It was easier to keep her secure in this rather than adjust the straps over a puffy coat.
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4282473

In Germany they have these pillows that are filled with cherry pits and you warm them up and then put them in the stroller with the baby. Perhaps you could employ something similar with the carrier? I have no experience with this...

i had a winter baby. i had a couple of cute buntings with legs (one from baby gap and one from REI) that kept him warm. and then just wrap a big pashmina or wrap around yourself and the carrier to cut the lake wind :) congrats!

I exclusively babywear and I've spent hours researching different solutions to the cold winter months. The important thing is to keep your baby as close to your skin as possible. You do NOT want to wear a coat, put your little one in a coat, and THEN use a carrier. There are babywearing jackets/vests, carrier covers, or even Amauti (traditional coat which actually hold the baby- no need for a separate carrier).

There are a ton of different choices when it comes to babywearing jackets and vests. I ended up purchasing a zoli jacket (http://www.zoli.fr/) because I can use it for front and back carries. The peekaru vest is very popular (http://www.togetherbe.com/productDescriptionPeekaruOriginal.aspx). Monkey pockets (http://monkeypockets.blogspot.com/search/label/Wool%20and%20Fleece%20Monkey%20Pockets) are carrier covers.

And please keep in mind if you begin to feel that your child is too large to be carried, you need a new carrier. I am petite and can still comfortably carry my 30lb boys, and carry my 20lb 9-month daily using woven wraps and mei tais.

Please excuse my grammatical errors. :(

We had two winter babies in Chicago, and the fleece Bundle Me was soooo much better than a snowsuit or other kind of bunting (we tried them all). Definitely a better, safer fit of the carseat straps, too. A warm hat and booties (and maybe an extra receiving blanket or two tucked around baby when it's crazy cold), and you're all set.

Another vote for the JJ Cole Bundle Me. (I was also in Chicago when I used mine with the Graco Snugride...)

I have a december and a february baby, and am also in Chicago. We used the Bundle Me on car rides, and a Mobi carrier inside my coat (I still used my pregnancy coat) along with hats and warm clothes on the munchkins.

I live in the north of Sweden where the temperature is routinely -20 C. When my daughter was newborn we used a Babybjörn all the time. We dressed her regularly and only added a thick fleece bunting and a hat, once she was in the Bjorn we would tuck a blanket with wind stopper fabric all around her. We were never outside for more than 30 minutes with her like that, but during that time she was never cold.

Now that she is older (9 months) and heavier I have switched to an Ergo. I dress her a little warmer than normal, add mittens and down booties and then put her in her down Columbia snowsuit. We can be outside for hours without her getting cold.

We're doing the same thing as Tzurriz (in Chicago also, with a November baby): Bundle Me in the carseat and Moby under a big coat. We also went and got a little winter suit from Target for those times you don't want to lug the carseat around, like in a small shop.

Like you, we are waiting until spring to buy a stroller, when we can actually use it without dealing with snow... and by then our guy will be old enough to sit up in it.

Congrats on your new baby!

I loved my jj cole bundle me. I didn't even have to put on her sweater just a long sleeve shirt most times cause she would be too warm! You don't want huge bulky layers on your baby or child since it can cause problems when you buckle her in the seat. Its better to have them a little chilly than have them fly out of the carrier or carseat

My son was born in December and I continued to use a huge maternity coat. I just dressed us both warmly and then zipped up the coat over him. It looked mighty weird -- like I was pregnant in my chest -- but it was easy and I never worried about him!

everyone is mentioning the bundle me, which works for the carseat (no i didn't put my babies in their carseats in their buntings) but i thought this question was more about what to wear in a carrier? i would go with whatever the girl from sweden says. pretty sure she would know ;)

In Boston we did the carrier (moby or Mei Tai) under the big coat with big scarf to fill in the top gap. You want to be able to take the warm off when you get into a shop or something.

I'd advise looking into an ergo with the infant insert - they're quite snug, and I would imagine that with a warm coat zipped up over it would be more than sufficient for warmth. (I didn't get the ergo mostly because it was way too warm for our California June-born baby!)

I used to take my DD out for walks in the winter when it was 10 Degrees F. We would do two different things

1) baby wears pants, long sleeve shirt, fleece jacket, long socks (with pants tucked in), hat. Put her in the carrier (babyhawk), then zip up big jacket over both of us - super cozy.

2) baby wears same stuff. I put on my jacket, then put the babyhawk on. Then put on fleece leg cover

Fleece leg cover -- I couldn't bear to spend so much money on things like special baby wearing coats. So I took an old fleece, cut off the arms and sewed up the holes. Sew up the neck. Then I took two of those plastic links that seem to come on so many baby toys and cut holes on each side of the open bottom of the fleece and threaded the links through. Put the baby on, then stick their feet in the open bottom of the fleece and pull it up and clip the links to the carrier. So it's like a wearable blanket. Worked great and it was free :) We used this almost every day.

Another vote for the Ergo with infant insert. It is well padded and quite warm - but baby is still right against you.

Don't underestimate the warming factor of Mom's chest. As long as you're not wearing a coat under your carrier, I think whatever keeps you warm should be fine. Even a coat that doesn't fasten in the front would be ok if you have a padded Ergo or Beco or something. But I don't live in Sweden ;)

I have worn my daughter for two winters now here in Canada.

I would not recommend wearing baby in a snowsuit, in a carrier - new babies fall asleep often - and you don't want to have to worry about him/her overheating once you get where you are going.
I LOVE my babywearing coat - there are lots available depending on your style and budget -- but any coat that's too big for you would do (ie: an old men's coat). That way when baby falls asleep you can just take the coat off both of you, and baby can continue to snooze once you're indoors. My coat can accommodate both front and back carry -- which was great in baby's second winter when we were more into back carrying -- but again, just a too-big-for-you regular coat could probably do this...
The only advantage to having a carrier cover (friends of mine recommend both the Pikkolo cover and baby bjorn cover - both of which work on just about any carrier) is that someone else could also use it to carry baby (ie: dad, grandma, whomever) if you think that is an option you'd like to have -- but I think a carrier cover would never be as warm as baby being with you inside a coat.

Good luck and health to you and baby upon his/her arrival!

i had two winter babies in wyoming (we have atleast a few weeks of being well below zero every year) and we would go for a few layers on baby-- onesie/pants under a down or heavy fleece snowsuit plus hats/booties. then we zipped them inside our down coat. (i wore my husbands most of the time, since it was oversized) it was the perfect combo for really cold weather-- they were dressed well themselves but insulated by our body heat and wrapped in a down jacket. they were always perfectly comfy and happy, as were we!

I am in northern MN on the shores of Lake Superior (I feel your lake wind pain!) with a 4 month old. We play outside (also have a 2.5 year old) almost daily.

I dress babe in socks, baby legs, fleece pants, long sleeve onsie, fleece top/sweater and then put her into a lightweight fleece snowsuit with a hat. Put her in the Ergo and then I wear my husband's jacket over the both of us. A bit bulky but it works great!

My little guy was barely a couple of weeks old and *teeny tiny* (around 6 pounds) when winter hit (and Idaho winter is COLD!). I had a sleepy wrap (best wrap ever), which seemed to keep him fairly warm anyway, and then I just wore a bigger coat over the top. Simple, no-cost solution, and it kept us both plenty warm! Good luck! I've been in Chicago in the winter, so I totally know why this is a concern!

we first used a down-filled snowsuit from babygap to keep my son warm, but it didn't offer very good temperature control when we were popping in and out of the store. then we found the sweet adeline carrier cover by protect-a-bub; it was easy to put over the carrier and quick to remove, and works well for a structured carrier. that was three years ago, but i think it's still available on amazon. and on the days i had him in the sling, i just gave him a hat and buttoned my coat over him!

Like others, we used a BabyBjorn and just zipped my daughter up inside my coat!

I live in Chicago and had a little baby boy last January. This winter I was at a loss as to how to get my little guy around town as we mostly wear him, so I made myself a babywearing winter coat that can be worn over you and your babe in a back carrier. I had such a warm response to it while out and about that I have started selling them online. Here is a link to my etsy shop if you have any interest: http://www.etsy.com/listing/64052446/bugaroo-baby-babywearing-coat
I hope this doesn't come off as too spammy - I just thought it might be of interest here...

We liked the black all-weather cover that Baby Bjorn makes for their carriers. It is quite warm, sheds water, has a (reversible and removable) hood, and is windproof. Unlike most winter garb, it isn't bulky.

presently $32 at Amazon

By "carrier," I think you mean something like an Ergo or Baby Bjorn, as opposed to an infant car seat? In that case, I recommend putting the baby in a fleece bunting with a fleece hat (the hoods are usually too loose) and zip your coat over him or her. Wear your maternity coat if your usual coat is too tight. This makes it easy for you to shed your coat when you come inside without disturbing the baby and you can transfer him or her to the car seat without undressing. Everyone sells fleece bunting, but we used one like this: http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___72729

Patagonia makes wonderful fleece buntings that have zippers on the legs that let you zip them either as a pouch or with the legs apart. They work with the Bjorn (which we are still using 2 years later, although DD is tiny) and carseats. We used them for our December DD - it kept her warm in the NY winter and on various trips to even colder destinations. (We also used the hats from Mini-Boden and her normal clothes underneath (i.e., cotton plus a sweater).) I'd use my pashmina to help cover her face. I'd wear the Bjorn under your coat - keeps your child warmer and gives you flexibility if she's asleep when you reach your destination.
Congratulations on your upcoming arrival!!

My son is 3.5 months old and I carry him all over the city using the Ergo carrier covered by a Peekaru. It is a fleece vest that covers the baby in the carrier. He stays perfectly warm for hours at a time in this. I don't typically wear a coat because I become too warm but have been comfortable wearing just long sleeves in 30-40 degree weather. This is one of the best pieces of baby gear I own and highly recommend it for city living.

I put the baby in a hooded/legged bunting. Then, I used a moby with one of my husband's large hoodies zipped up over the baby. I put my own coat on over that and left it open. You'll be amazed at how hot you get wearing a moby...even in the middle of a Chicago winter. I was always hot!

I had a winter Colorado baby and babywearing was wonderful for taking her out and about. I dressed her in a coat over footie pajamas typically. Then I added a hat, sometimes a fleece blanket and zipped my husband's fleece coat around us. (Just make sure that if you do this that your little one's head is still clearly in view and that you could easily kiss the top of his or her head. You probably already knew that!) That way if it was a shorter outing, I didn't need to worry about overheating her or waking her up to take off layers once I got home. I could just unzip my coat and then remove her hat, blanket and unbutton her coat. I used a Hotsling at first and then a Bjorn and an Ergo. I do think many of the bunting ideas would be marvelous if you were on a prolonged outing or hiking though. My system would work for typical neighborhood walks, trips to the coffee shop, etc. Good for you for looking into this! The research will be all worth it when you get to head out of the house and enjoy the world with your new little one. Even a little journey a day can make such a big difference!

I just used whatever coat fit me late in pregnancy and later, one of my husband's patagonia fleece jackets or the waterproof or whatever. It is easier to keep the baby warm when close to you.

Depending on conditions on the ground, you might feel more secure with a walking stick.

Oh yes, the head kissing is awesome.

I live in Upstate New York and had a January baby. I use an Ergo carrier and I just kept wearing my maternity coat with the bean buttoned up inside it. Even now that she's bigger, it's more comfortable for both of us to keep the bulk down, so I just wear a warm, wide scarf that I can cover her with like a blanket. I've never put her in the carrier with a heavy coat on.

I've been wearing my October baby in my Sleepy Wrap (like a Moby) and then putting on a big coat and zipping him up inside it. Even outside in subfreezing weather for a couple hours (walking the dog, playing in the snow with my toddler), he's plenty warm in that, just wearing his fleece jammies and maybe a hat (if his head is sticking out). Our shared body heat keeps him very toasty.

Not sure if this has been suggested, but we use a Peekaru babywearing vest over our Beco baby carrier. It's so toasty and we get a million compliments on it. If you have a winter baby the money will be well spent!

http://www.togetherbe.com/productDescriptionPeekaruOriginal.aspx

Cotton Babies also sells it w/free shipping.

If your partner is a man, borrow his coat! My hubby's old parka worked great for me. :)

My son just turned one last week and I have been carrying him using a range of carriers since birth. Last winter I used the mama kangaroo wrap in my M Coat, this year, I'm using the Ergo with the M Coat. Along with my carriers, the M Coat was one of the best purchases I've made as a parent. This down filled super warm winter coat has a removable front panel that is reversible (wear it with the wider side down during pregnancy, wider side up to accomodate a carrier, without the panel for an attractive regular coat). With this coat, last winter my son needed only a sweater and hat over his clothes (the carrier also added a layer). I highly recommend it if you live in a cold climate (I'm in Toronto) and plan on carrying your little one!

I have two kids and have worn them both all winter. I live in Western Canada so temperature hovers around freezing.

I usually use an Ergo carrier, with the baby in a fleece suit and a few layers of clothing. I sometimes wear the carrier over my coat, and sometimes under it with the coat open. Either way, the proximity keeps us both warm and toasty. I do use mittens as the one and only time she fussed because of cold was when her hands got too cold. Many baby suits have sleeves that that fold over, which works equally well. I love Stonz booties too, as they keep little ankles nice and toasty (no affiliation to this product - just a happy customer). Small babies do have poor circulation, so feet and hands may feel a bit cooler, but as long as the nape of the neck feels warm, you'll know their core temperature is warm enough too.

i have the M coat which has a zip in, V shaped panel. you can wear it pregnant zipped one way, with any sort of carrier zipped the other way and when you are all done with that sort of stuff you can zip it without the panel and it looks like a normal coat. it's made in canada so it's super warm. it is pretty expensive, about $400, but since it is so versatile i thought it was worth the splurge.
the problem i found when wearing a baby in the winter was going in and out of places... my baby was instantly broiling and would let the world know it! with the jacket you can just unzip and you are able to control the little person's temp (and your own!)
good luck!

hi
my baby was born in sweden in january, its -20 outside and 20+ inside :.) this makes dressing tricky sometimes as you need to keep baby warm but easily strip them off.
I had a baby bjorn front pack, when he was tiny I had a woolly hat and several layers of clothes on him and just wore a big woolen coat that I could button around us both, with the area around his face open, that was really in the first few weeks, also made it easy to open up when we were inside the supermarket.
Then I bought the Baby Bjorn cover, it looks a bit like a cocoon and the top buttons onto the carrier, whats great about it is its windproof and you can wrap baby in a woolen blanket underneath, tucking the ends in round your tummy, where the babies legs push against you. This kept him super toasty and warm, then I found in shops I could remove the blanket and put it in the foot of the carrier cocoon (its long enough to work for a 1+ year old) I usually kept the foot tucked in against my tummy because it was so long.
I had a stretchy merino blacket great for tucking and wrapping.
As baby gets older you can move the blanket down to waist level and keep on a wooly jumper and add mittens. I always used a wooly hat, I like the possum merino ones best they are super soft and lightweight, but synthetic ones are good in the wind as they are more windproof.
Maybe its not so cold where you are! hope that gives you soem ideas though.
cheers

Had some sort of sort of 2nd hand split-leg bunting thing that I put my boy in, and then zipped him up inside my jacket. Also . . . I was a devoted baby carrier, but have to say, when winter hit I started using my stroller a LOT more because you can pack so much stuff around and under baby. It gets to be quite a mess trying to keep layers of blankets tucked in around a baby in a Bjorn!
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For a baby carrier, I would just really bundle my baby up. He'd be in one of those one piece fleece sets where his head would be covered, along with his feet. Many places make them so you can shop around on where you'd want to get one. (Right now, looks like Old Navy is having it on sale - http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=6177&vid=1&pid=771648&scid=771648032) As far as the stroller goes, I got the JJ Cole Bundle Me. It works great!