Here's an article on using one of our favorite baby items, the Ergo Baby Carrier, during the colder months of the year:

Using the Ergo Baby Carrier (Baby Sling) During the Colder Months

I love the Ergo Baby Carrier / Baby Sling, and it is such an easy way to carry my baby when it is warm out. But in the colder months it was a challenge to find a way to use the carrier and also keep my baby warm. At first I just tried to use the carrier in the front position and wrap my coat around me and the baby. This worked ok if it wasn't too cold, but my regular coat really couldn't stretch far enough to get all the way around both of us comfortably.

After searching for a better alternative, I finally happened on the "Mama Coat". This was a coat that was really designed for pregnant women, but I found it worked great for me as well. The Mama Coat has an extra panel of fabric that zips in to accommodate a big pregnant belly or a baby worn in the front (when the panel is out, it works as a regular coat). I found that I could use the Mama Coat while carrying my baby in the front position - and it was comfortable and cosy for us both. The Mama coat isn't made of very thick material, but with two bodies together, we kept warm without extra sweaters. Boy did this make going out into the cold easier and I really have loved using the Mama Coat with the Ergo Baby Carrier. Until my baby could walk, I carried her at all times, so I got a thick sleeping bag type insert for her car seat and just transferred her from my coat to that and never had to bother bundling her up in winter clothing.

The one downside of the Mama Coat is that I can only use it when my baby is in the front position. That is why I really was excited when the Ergo Baby Carrier company came up with their new "Papoose Coat". This coat has an actual cutout in it for the baby, so you can use it with the baby in the back position as well as in the front. The original version of the coat was made in a mohair wool which I personally found to be a bit too heavy and itchy (as well as pricey). The latest version, however, is reversible with lighter fleece and water resistant fabrics (and a much more affordable price point). I am really excited about using the new version of the Papoose Coat - it is slated to be coming out in late December 2005. And from what I can tell, other mothers are really looking for something like this - every time I wear my wool Papoose Coat I have moms stopping me to ask me about the coat.

Jane Hastings Rosenberg
November 2005
My Favorite Baby Carrier