Winter walks and spending time outdoors are permissible, but how long you stay outside with your baby should depend on the temperature. Generally, a safe temperature range for a walk is 25 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit (-4 degrees Celsius to -1 degrees Celsius). When the temperature drops below this, there is an increased risk of frostbite for exposed areas, particularly the ears and nose, so it's recommended to stay indoors when it gets that cold. As for precautions, you can take a full-term infant outside relatively early, but premature infants and infants with chronic lung disease should be cleared by their pediatrician for any winter activity. Newborns are also much more susceptible to the cold than older infants due to their immature thermoregulation systems. Older infants have more body fat to help them stay warm, so younger infants require much closer monitoring. In addition to protecting against cold temperatures, it's also vital to protect against the wind. Stroller covers are excellent, but make sure they also provide good ventilation to allow CO2 to escape. Don't use long scarves, loose blankets, or anything else in a stroller that could present a suffocation hazard. Instead, use properly-sized bunting suits or wearable blankets. And be sure to keep the baby's head covered. A lot of body heat escapes through the baby's scalp. Do not take the baby out if there is a weather advisory for extreme cold or when wind chills are so intense that they could have difficulty breathing. If you're outside and the baby becomes pale or bluish around their lips, take them back inside immediately. This could mean the baby's core temperature is falling to dangerous levels.
Babies can go out in winter if they're healthy and dressed well. Fresh air's good; the risks are cold, wind and getting wet. As a loose guide, I'd avoid long walks with young babies when it's below about 0degC, or below 5degC if it's windy or damp. Quick trips in and out of the car or pram walks of 10-15 minutes are usually fine above that if they're well covered and you're checking them often. There's no exact "safe" age. Newborns and babies under 2 months don't regulate temperature well, so I'd keep winter outings short and for a reason (appointments, essential errands), not long social walks. From around 3 months, most healthy babies can handle normal winter outings if they're dressed in layers and you watch for cues. The basic rules I use: one more layer than an adult in the same setting; always cover head, hands and feet; keep chest and back warm; avoid thick coats under car seat straps (use blankets over the top instead). Feel the back of the neck or chest to check warmth, not hands or cheeks. Skin should feel warm, not hot or sweaty, and the baby should be alert and settled. Faces should stay uncovered so breathing's never blocked. Wind and wet clothes are the fastest way to get cold, so use a windproof layer and keep them dry. I'd skip the winter walk if the baby is premature (unless cleared by their doctor), has a fever, is breathing fast or working hard to breathe, or has known heart or lung problems. I'd also skip it in very low temps (around 0degC or below), strong wind, sleet, or if you can't keep them dry and out of the wind. If a baby outside becomes hard to wake, very pale or mottled, has a cold chest or back, or is suddenly very floppy or inconsolable, go indoors, warm them gradually, and get medical care if you're at all unsure. Details: Josiah Roche Fractional CMO Silver Atlas www.silveratlas.org