Holding a baby makes you warm at the best of times. When your child is strapped to you while you are active, this is even more noticeable.
Newborn babies are unable to control their own temperature, so it is important that you continue to monitor this while you are babywearing. Slipping a couple of fingers down the back of their shirt can be a good quick way to check their temperature while they are in the carrier.
It is good to think of the carrier as an additional layer of clothing when you are considering how to dress your child for an outing. I find it is easier to dress myself more lightly and in layers. I often prefer to wear a button up shirt or cardigan on over the top of the carrier, so I can remove it easily if necessary. There is nothing worse than getting too warm when babywearing and having to wake a sleeping baby so you can take off a layer.
In Cold Climates
Image Credit - Wombat & Co Australasia (left Numbat Go in Mustard, right Wombat Shell in Khaki)
You are able to purchase carrier covers and coats specially designed to be used when baby wearing. Some people also find sizing up a standard jacket is also a viable option. Please take care when using either of these options that any fabric stays well away from baby’s face so their airways remain clear.
Putting your warm layers around yourself and your child as one unit, rather than bundling each of you separately, has the added benefit that it is much easier to monitor their temperature, as you will be experiencing the same level of warmth that they are. If you are dressing your child in their own warm layers, it is important you monitor their temperature regularly.
Above are pictured the Numbat Go (left) and Wombat Shell (right) from Wombat and Co Australasia which are baby wearing jackets with heaps of features to make it easy to get out and about in cooler weather with your wee one. If you purchase from their website, make sure to use my affiliate code JOYRIDER to get 15% off your order!
When using a scarf, make sure the fabric is well clear of baby's face and any loose ends are tied off to the side to avoid risk to baby's airways.
If you live in a particularly cold climate it is also important to consider how padded your child’s clothing is. It can be difficult to get a secure, tight carrier fit when baby is wearing something very padded like a snow suit.
In Warm Climates
In hotter weather, it is important to not let baby become too warm and make sure they remain hydrated.
Wide brimmed hats and umbrellas are a helpful form of portable shade. I recommend that you use these options in preference to using the hood of your carrier for shade. Generally if you have enough coverage from the hood to protect them from the elements it will make it difficult to monitor airways.
Dressing coolly and in layers can be helpful to allow you to modify your temperature as needed. Don't forget to put on your outer layer such as cardigan or an unbuttoned shirt after you put the carrier on, to make it easier to shed a layer without disturbing baby.
Having a hand held fan, and using damp cloths to wipe yourselves down can also help keep you and your child comfortable. I also liked to tuck a light muslin cloth over the carrier to give bare infant legs a bit of shade from the sun.
The style of carrier which you use can also have a big difference on how warm you get while carrying. Manmade mesh fabrics, single layers of natural fibers like cotton or bamboo and carrier styles which leave the sides of your body free can all help reduce your temperature while carrying. Because of this ring slings, woven wraps, buckle carriers and meh dai are popular options for warmer climates. Stretchy wraps require three layers of fabric across your baby to keep them safe and secure, and because of this, they are a much warmer option.
As a general rule a carrier which allows you to carry your child off centered or on your back will keep you cooler than one where baby is centered on your chest also.