Pregnancy and Babywearing Jackets for Hiking or Cold Weather? 3 Good Options

Considering how much useless stuff they make for pregnancy and new parents, there surprisingly aren’t too many options for jackets. Especially if you are outdoorsy and want to do something like backpack while pregnant, hike with your baby or take your baby outdoors in cold weather.

However, there are some options. They are jacket extenders, maternity/babywearing jackets and carrier covers. I’ll go over the pros and cons of each option, as well as the options actually suitable for hiking.

Option 1: Softshell Jacket Extenders

What It Is:

A jacket extender is a panel which zips or connects to the zipper of your jacket. You use a panel which is wider at the bottom to fit your belly while pregnant, and use a panel which is wider at the top for baby carrying. For hiking and outdoorsy activities, you’ll need a softshell jacket extender.

Pros:

Use existing jacket
Can use on multiple jackets (lets your partner baby carry too)

Cons:

Front carry only
Annoying to take on/off when switching between jackets
Not many options
For infants only

Recommended: Make My Belly Fit Universal Jacket Extender

MakeMyBellyFit Universal Jacket Extender for Maternity and Babywearing, fits MOST zips, black, one-size

The Make My Belly Fit jacket extender is made from a water-resistant, breathable softshell material with a removable fleece lining. It’s perfect for hiking, bad weather and winter.

This jacket extender definitely not cheap but it has one of the best designs you’ll find. The extender slides over your existing zipper, so you don’t have to worry about whether the zippers are compatible or the right length. Then you just zip the front panel in place.

Because the jacket extender is universal, you can put it on any jacket. Just be warned that it does take a few minutes to remove and re-attach the jacket extender. It’s hard to do while still wearing the jacket. So don’t think you can just swap the extender out in the middle of a hike or winter walk!

There are little snaps on the extender. These allow you to adjust the extender panel for pregnancy use (panel wider on the bottom) or for baby wearing (panel wider on top).

Get it here

Option 2: Maternity/Baby-Wearing Jacket

What It Is:

A maternity/baby-wearing jacket is a normal jacket which has an extender panel that allows for maternity or front babywearing. These are sometimes called “3-in-1 maternity jackets” because you can wear it pregnant, baby carrying or without the extender.

There are also “4-in-1 maternity jackets”. These ones have a zipper in the back where you can add a panel. This allows you to wear the jacket while babywearing in the back position too.

Pros:

Front and back baby carrying position
Panels made to fit the jacket exactly
Can use with toddlers

Cons:

Expensive
Not many options

Recommended: Wanderling Confluence Jacket

The Wanderling Confluence is the only 4-in-1 maternity jacket in the United States right now which is suitable for outdoorsy activities like hiking (there aren’t even any good 3-in-1 hiking jackets available in the USA now!). It was invented by a mother of 5 who lives in Colorado and frequently goes hiking with her kids.

While you can wear the Wanderling Confluence jacket while pregnant, it’s definitely more geared towards baby-wearing. The extender panel is a bucket shape so it fits around larger, bulkier hiking carriers. The shape also means the jacket will fit around toddler children, so you can get more use out of it.

Oh, and you can use the extender panel as a diaper changing pad. 🙂

As for the jacket itself, it’s a really nice softhsell. It has a waterproof rating of 3000mm and 8000MVP breathability. There are lots of interior and exterior pockets, Velcro cuffs and a removable hood. This is a jacket you can wear hiking even when you aren’t wearing your baby.

Be warned that the baby wearing jacket is expensive! If you go hiking frequently though and need a new softshell anyway, then it’s not a bad deal.

Buy here

Use discount code MGC10 at checkout to get 10% off!

Option 3: Baby Carrier Covers

What It Is:

This is a cover which you put over your baby carrier. While it’s possible to use them this way, I don’t recommend using a carrier cover in back or side positions. Your baby won’t get your body heat since they will be positioned over your jacket. And you will end up sweaty because you’ve got an extra layer (plus your baby!) sitting on top of your jacket.

However, carrier covers can be great for front carry. You 1) put the carrier on under your jacket and 2) keep your own jacket unzipped so your baby gets your body heat. Because the carrier covers most of your front, it doesn’t matter (much) that your jacket is unzipped.

Note: Don’t get a baby carrier cover which goes over your neck. This will be uncomfortable! Get one that snaps into place over any carrier.

Pros:

Lots of options
Affordable
Can double as bunting bag for stroller
Use with your normal jacket

Cons:

Some cold air will get in from sides
Harder to regulate your own temperature
Not good for back or side carry

Recommended: Jan & Jul Carrier Rain Cover

JAN & JUL Waterproof Baby Rain Cover with Hood and Pockets, Universal for Baby Carriers and Strollers (Black)

This is waterproof to 10,000mm and still breathable. It’s lined with fleece, has a hood for your baby and an elastic drawcord so no drafts get in. Get it here.

Second Pick: Bebamour universal Carrier Cover

This is also a softshell cover with a fleece lining. It’s not as adjustable as the Jan & Jul carrier, or as waterproof, but the hood is removable. Get it here.

Can I Just Wear an Oversized Jacket while Pregnant or Baby-Wearing?

When I was pregnant with my first child, I just got an oversized jacket. It fit over my belly while pregnant and later could still fit around me and my baby in a wrap carrier. This solution was cheap but not ideal.

The sleeves were way too large. Cold air would draft in from the massive bottom of the jacket. And the poorly-fit jacket definitely didn’t help with my post-pregnancy body image (I know you aren’t supposed to care about what you look like, but dammit becoming a new parent is hard enough without having to also wear clothes you feel like crap in).

If you do go this route, choose a jacket which has drawstrings on the bottom. At least you’ll be able to close the bottom of the jacket to stop drafts.

Baby Wearing Under vs. Over the Jacket

I do NOT recommend baby-wearing on TOP of your jacket for these reasons.

Your baby won’t get your warmth. In really cold weather, you need your baby underneath your jacket for this reason.
You won’t know if your baby is cold or not. Remember that you are walking, but your baby isn’t. So, your baby could be freezing while you are hot. It’s easier to regulate your baby’s temperature when you are in the same “jacket zone.”
You end up sweaty. The carrier pressed against you destroys any sort of breathability that your jacket has.
Can’t take off jacket without taking off the baby. You will get back home and your baby will be sleeping in the carrier. There’s no way of taking of your jacket without taking off the carrier. So you are left with the dilemma of sweating like crazy in your jacket + carrier or potentially waking a sleeping baby.
Zipping/Unzipping is difficult or impossible. In front carry position, you can’t unzip your jacket because your baby is in the way. In back carry position, the straps make it difficult to unzip. So regulating your own body temperature is even more difficult.

baby carrier goes underneath your jacket

The baby carrier should go underneath your jacket, as shown in these pictures!

If you can’t afford an expensive babywearing jacket, then get an oversized jacket which will fit over you and your baby instead. It’s seriously better than wearing a baby carrier on top of your jacket, especially while hiking or doing outdoorsy activities.