Baby’s first winter. Do I need a bunting suit for the car seat? (2025)

First Time Parents

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j

Last edited 12-19-23

My daughter will be 5-6 months old during the winter months and I’m a little confused as to what winter wear she’ll need, especially for in her car seat. With her being so young, Covid still being a thing, and the super cold winters we get in northern Alberta I don’t suspect she’ll be spending much time outside aside from going from house to car.
Does she need a suit like this for the car seat or these are too thick & will affect the fit of the car seat straps. Or what do I get?

Baby’s first winter. Do I need a bunting suit for the car seat? (1)

Original poster's comments (3)

Baby’s first winter. Do I need a bunting suit for the car seat? (3)

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15 comments
  • Baby’s first winter. Do I need a bunting suit for the car seat? (4)

    Posted 09-16-20

    We never used a snowsuit as the baby would not fit in the car seat. Unless you're walking then it's a different story but to me was a waste of money. They recommended me a cover for the car seat that isolates the wind while you transport the baby from car to home, and i will buy that this year. I'm still struggling as to what to wear him so will follow this thread to see what more experienced moms suggest. However with covid I doubt we will go anywhere anyways.

  • j

    JLL1993 Original Poster

    Posted 09-16-20

    Lilipad27 said:

    We never used a snowsuit as the baby would not fit in the car seat. Un…

    Yeah my thoughts too! We may take some walks on a nice day but we don’t really take her anywhere other than the doctors or my moms which is a 5 minute car ride away. So I’m reading that just a winter car seat cover + an extra layer of clothes (or just a blanket over the strapped in baby) will be enough.

  • Baby’s first winter. Do I need a bunting suit for the car seat? (6)

    Posted 09-16-20

    If you use a bucket seat, a shower cap style cover is the best. You can even put an extra blanket under it, over the straps, on the really cold days.

    If you do get a bunting suit, the way to test the thickness is pretty easy. You put baby in the snow suit and in the car seat and tighten the straps properly (look up pinch test if not sure). Without loosening the straps, take baby out of the seat and the snow suit then put them back in. If the straps are loose, then the snow suits too thick and isn't safe.

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  • e

    Posted 09-16-20

    The one on the left would be too puffy for the car but fine for walks in the stroller. The one on the right might be okay for the car but its hard to tell from a picture

  • j

    JLL1993 Original Poster

    Posted 09-16-20

    JenM3030 said:

    If you use a bucket seat, a shower cap style cover is the best. You ca…

    I don’t believe I have a bucket seat .. I have the graco modes travel system, not sure if that’s a bucket seat or not? I think not?
    But I will use that tip for testing the suits in the car seat for sure!

  • Baby’s first winter. Do I need a bunting suit for the car seat? (9)

    Last edited 09-16-20

    The pink one looks like it would be okay for the car seat. The white one it way too thick. We got a thin fleece one from old navy. Then used a shower cap cover and she was fine. We had a big thick one for when we went on walks

  • Baby’s first winter. Do I need a bunting suit for the car seat? (10)

    Posted 09-16-20

    JLL1993 said:

    I don’t believe I have a bucket seat .. I have the graco modes travel …

    A bucket seat is the one you can easily take in and out of car and you can normally click into your stroller. So if you have a travel system, almost certainly you have a bucket seat.

    I would recommend the petit coulou shower cap style. It's made in quebec for Canadian winters. It's good to use between 15°C to -30°, so you could even start using it now. I found that a lot of shower caps are made for European or American winters, so they are not as good for us.

    I used it with my first son when he was about 5 months the whole winter and I would just put a hat on him and a blanket in the real cold days if we were walking outside. He never once was cold in his carseat.

  • m

    Posted 09-16-20

    Bucket seats are the ones that come out of the car and click into the stroller, so yes you have a bucket seat. Don’t put any extra layers on baby in the car seat, it isn’t safe. I got a JJ Cole car seat cover and used to live in Edmonton and it kept my son plenty warm. If it was a really cold day I’d add a receiving blanket. Just make sure whatever you buy only goes over top of the car seat and not inside it as well.

  • b

    Posted 09-16-20

    Anything that goes between the car seat straps and baby isn't considered car seat safe. I never managed to keep my kids in the bucket seat longer than 4 months before switching to a convertible so I wouldn't count on a shower cap style cover. I just dress my kid in layers (generally a onesie and fleece sleeper) and wrap them in a blanket to get out to the car. Once in the car they have blankets for over top. Remember, your car gets warm so try not to overdo it.

  • k

    Posted 09-16-20

    I bought a thicker snowsuit for walks/ playing out side. And then a thin fleece bunting suit (Columbia brand) for supper cold days in the car seat

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