From pram to first steps: How to kit out the tiniest ones for winter

From pram to first steps: How to kit out the tiniest ones for winter From pram to first steps: How to kit out the tiniest ones for winter

Children Barefoot Selecting and Maintaining Barefoot Shoes

Is your little one starting to walk just as the weather turns cold? Here’s how to keep them warm in a carrier, in the pram and during those first steps. Choose barefoot shoes or cosy booties.

The sun starts to lose its warmth, the leaves outside turn every colour, and a jumper is no longer enough for a walk. That’s right – winter is on its way, and with falling temperatures comes the annual dilemma for every mum: how do you dress children so they don’t get cold outdoors? We’ve got you: we’ll advise you on how many layers to plan for when your baby is still snug in a warm winter footmuff in the pram, and how to dress your little one in a baby carrier. And of course, we’ll recommend the ideal winter barefoot shoes for first steps – or warm booties if your baby isn’t walking yet.

All this (and more) is answered below. We’ll look at winter essentials for the very smallest ones (not only) from a footwear point of view, and share a few extra practical tips too.

How long can the littlest ones spend outdoors?

Fresh air is great for body and mind – for babies and little whirlwinds alike, and for mums too. In winter it’s a bit more complicated. Every mum ends up tackling tricky questions every day: What should the baby wear? How many layers? How long can we stay outside? The rough “safe limits” depend on your child’s age and what the thermometer says. In general:

  • babies up to three months should stay at home if it’s below –5 degrees outside
  • babies up to six months can go out briefly in temperatures down to –10 degrees
  • children older than six months can cope with even lower temperatures, but you do need to equip them properly for winter

A good-quality winter snowsuit, waterproof gloves, a warm hat and, of course, something cosy for little feet are absolute basics in a small child’s wardrobe.

How to dress (and what to put on their feet) in winter for a baby carrier

In a carrier, there’s a perfect source of heating on one side – the human body. On the other side there’s the carrier or wrap itself, and all of it is tucked under a winter coat or babywearing jacket. So there’s no need to squeeze your baby into a bulky snowsuit as well. Dress them in several thinner layers, which you can remove (or add) as needed.

An ideal base layer is merino, with its unmistakable benefits such as excellent temperature regulation (warm in winter, cool in summer), great moisture-wicking, breathability and hypoallergenic properties. You can also find merino for the smallest ones from Czech brands Crawler or Dupeto. The next layer can be a sweatshirt or a jumper (even in multiple layers).

It’s important to cover the parts of the body that stick out of the carrier. So: head, neck, hands and feet. A warm knitted hat from Granny is lovely, but try asking her to knit a neck warmer to match – or even a full balaclava. Curious little heads often crane out of the carrier in every direction, neck stretched so far even a giraffe would be impressed. Let them explore the world – just keep them warm while they do.

Hands are usually tucked inside the carrier or wrapped around Mum’s body. But if your baby is a bit of a fencer, don’t forget good-quality gloves. And just like gloves, you can also get leg warmers, booties, or warm winter soft booties for little feet. Here you’ll find cosy winter booties from Reima or wool-lined soft booties from CRAVE.

Our tip: Protect your baby’s sensitive skin. Stock up on a good-quality winter cream for children. Cold weather can be really harsh on delicate skin, so choose carefully and don’t forget to apply it to those adorable little cheeks before every walk. A trusted, purely natural option is Weleda, for example.

Heading out in the pram

With a pram it’s similar to a carrier – except instead of “Mum heating”, you’ve got a winter footmuff doing the job. Unless you’re planning to finish your walk at a fashion show, you can happily leave your baby in what they normally wear at home: a bodysuit and sleepsuit in natural materials. Over that, you can add a fleece (or warmer) snowsuit and tuck your baby into the winter footmuff right up to their neck.

If you live in the mountains or it’s set to be really cold, you definitely won’t go wrong with merino wool base layers. And of course, don’t forget gloves if the sleeves on the snowsuit can’t be pulled over the hands. Even in a footmuff, feet need to stay warm – cosy socks or booties are useful even for the tiniest ones.

Don’t forget a warm hat that covers the ears, because the most body heat escapes through the head. And don’t underestimate socks either. Merino socks are exceptionally soft, warm and quick-drying at the same time.

If your little one is curious and already exploring the world on their own two feet, a reliable partner for winter fun is a high-quality wind- and water-resistant snowsuit. Investing in good clothing pays off – and it’s worth looking into materials and their properties. The ideal is winter softshell with functional performance. The right size can last for two seasons.

From our own experience, we recommend the brand Reima for functional winter clothing for children. They offer winter snowsuits as well as separate jackets, trousers, hats, scarves, gloves and winter waterproof soft booties. The materials are breathable, wind-resistant, with a water column of up to 12 000 mm, and everyday dirt comes off relatively easily. Plus, they have lovely simple designs that are a joy to choose from.

A golden tip: keep a small extra blanket under the pram. When the temperature suddenly drops – a classic winter late-afternoon moment – you can simply add the blanket under the footmuff as an extra layer.

First winter steps outdoors

For the pram and for short walks with the tiniest little explorers who are only just getting to know the world, we naturally recommend warm winter barefoot shoes. Thanks to the thin, flexible sole, walking in barefoot shoes engages the muscles across the whole foot, improving circulation and helping the feet warm themselves. So you don’t need to worry that children will be cold because of the thin sole.

You can learn more about the benefits of barefoot shoes for children in our guide to choosing first shoes. Now let’s look at specific types of winter barefoot shoes for the smallest feet.

To keep the tiniest little feet warm, a great choice is the winter leather shoes with cosy lining from Bobux. They have a thin, flexible sole that provides thermal comfort as well as the flexibility needed for healthy foot development and coordination. Leather is naturally breathable, so feet don’t get sweaty in the shoes. The non-slip material helps keep little feet steady even in tricky winter conditions.

Little feet will stay warm and dry in the popular winter soft booties, also known as booties, from Reima. They’re made from a breathable waterproof material, but the seams aren’t taped, so try to avoid puddles. The sole is non-slip, helping small children with their first steps. Thanks to the drawstrings around the ankles and at the top hem, they’re easy to put on and stay securely on the foot. Plus, the booties come in really lovely simple colours that are easy to match with any winter snowsuit.

Soft booties for home and for visiting Granny

So we’ve covered winter footwear for outdoors – but little walkers need something on their feet at home too, for playgroups or when visiting family. Especially while their body is getting used to the new movement of walking, it’s important to let the musculoskeletal system fully trust the foot and its balance abilities. Of course, the ideal is to toddle barefoot, but that isn’t always possible, practical or appropriate.

Look for socks and tights with non-slip soles, or rely on soft booties that help prevent slipping. Soft booties can be another handy piece of kit to keep within easy reach. Slipper-style booties with cute pictures (and plain ones too) are offered by CRAVE or Hopi Hop. 

First proper shoes

When buying first shoes, it’s ideal if your child has been walking independently indoors for more than two months, without any support. Their hands are no longer held up for balance, and they can manage a little run without any trouble. Only then is it the right time to choose their first proper shoes.

You can confidently put a little toddler like this into winter shoes of the prewalker type. These are lightweight, very flexible leather shoes that even a small child can easily bend, helping guide the foot towards natural walking and healthy development. You can try ankle boots from Froddo, the Czech brand Pegres or the popular Bobux – all lined with warm wool.

Leather winter shoes from D.D.step will also keep little feet warm and dry, and children will love their original look with fun details. Another option is winter or all-year-round shoes from the Czech brand Beda, which are reinforced at the toe with a protective bumper for greater durability. Thanks to the Velcro fastening, they’re easy to put on and take off, and they adapt beautifully to every little foot.

Winter is well and truly here. Don’t underestimate good-quality winter gear for your little ones – or for yourself. The same time children spend outside playing in the cold, you’re out there too, usually walking slowly and patiently and standing around. Do your feet get cold in winter in conventional shoes? In barefoot shoes, they won’t. Thanks to the perfectly flexible sole that makes all the muscles in your feet work, your thermoregulation – so needed in winter – can kick back in.

Where will your next steps take you?