A Guide to Baby Hats, Mittens, and Booties
Babies lose heat fast from the parts that stick out: the head, the hands, the feet. They also have a special talent for removing anything you put on those parts and flinging it into the void, usually a parking lot or the bottom of a stroller. This little guide to baby hats mittens booties is about winning that war, or at least fighting it to a respectable draw.
Hats: The Non-Negotiable
A baby's head is proportionally huge and largely uninsulated, so a hat is the single most useful cold-weather accessory you own. For everyday outings, look for a soft, snug beanie that covers the ears without a tie around the throat. Avoid anything with a chin string that could tighten; a well-fitted hat should stay put on its own.
- Fit: snug enough to stay on, not so tight it leaves marks. Ears fully covered.
- Fabric: soft knits and natural fibers breathe better and itch less. Our cotton cashmere knits are a favorite for genuinely cold days.
- Indoors: take the hat off inside and in the car. Babies overheat quickly, and a hat that was perfect outside becomes too much in a warm room.
Mittens: Warmth and a Side of Anti-Scratch
Mittens do double duty. In cold weather they keep little hands warm, and for newborns they stop those surprisingly sharp fingernails from scratching a soft face. Mittens beat gloves every time for babies, since separating tiny fingers is a fool's errand. Look for a soft cuff that stays on without being tight around the wrist.
The catch: babies will pull mittens off, and a mitten in the mouth is a soggy choking-adjacent nuisance. For outings, mittens that attach to a jacket or clip to the sleeves survive longer. Around the house, a long-sleeve top with fold-over cuffs, like some of our onesies, quietly solves the scratch problem without a separate item to lose.
Booties: The Escape Artists
Booties are the most frequently lost of the three, so the whole game is keeping them on. Elasticized ankles, soft ties, or a snug knit cuff all help. Honestly, though, the most reliable way to keep feet warm is to skip the separate bootie entirely.
A pair of footed pajamas or a long romper with covered feet keeps toes warm and attached, with nothing to kick off. For pre-walkers, soft booties are purely for warmth, so comfort beats structure. Save the sturdy soles for when there's actual walking happening.
The Layering and Safety Bit
Accessories are a layer, not a heat source of last resort. Dress your baby in warm base layers first, then add hat, mittens, and covered feet on top. In the car seat, keep the bulk out from under the harness: buckle your baby in thinner layers, then add a blanket over the top for warmth. And these accessories are for awake, out-and-about time. For sleep, keep the crib bare for babies under 12 months, use a wearable sleep sack for warmth, and skip loose hats and mittens in bed.
Keep Backups Everywhere
Our final and most heartfelt advice: buy in multiples and stash them. One hat in the diaper bag, one in the car, one by the door. You will lose them. Making peace with that is cheaper than the alternative, which is standing in a cold parking lot searching under the car for a single bootie while your baby narrates their displeasure.