Wondering how all of the new moms in the Hamptons are dealing with this endlesss winter tundra? It must be so hard to handle baby with these freezing temps and icy conditions. KDHamptons checks in with Katerina Williams, owner of Lullanest in East Hampton, who shares her insider tips for keeping safe and warm during this severely chilly season.

Lullanest owner Katerina Williams last summer in East Hampton

Katerina shares, “My youngest, Loukas, is almost 7 months old, and so I am among the new moms trying to function in the extreme weather with a new baby. It’s rough out there! There are some awesome products available to help parents keep baby warm and safe indoors, during transport and on outings. Our team is always around to discuss products and aims to work with our clients to tailor solutions for their lifestyle based on what we’ve found to be best practices. Parents can stop by, call or email info@lullanest.com with any questions.”

KDHamptons: What are the key items that Hamptons moms need for winter?

Katerina Williams: There are some common challenges most parents face in winter. I’ve listed them below and provided items we consider essential for coping. Dress baby appropriately and hassle-free for exposure to both extreme cold and cozy indoor temperatures, while baby-wearing, or strolling. Many parents choose to dress baby in comfortable indoor clothing and use a protective shell (that can be easily removed or unzipped when indoors) like the 7AM Doudoune, or 7AM Cygnet Cover (combined with hat and mittens) when babywearing, or the 7AM 212 Blanket along with their stroller’s weather shield when strolling. Baby can be squirmy and fussy when dressing for the cold, so we like to keep things simple. These products are easy to remove indoors and place back on when outside. I use the Doudoune and 212 Blanket with Loukas and this is my second year using the 212 Blanket with Sebastian.

7AM Doudoune Pictured

KDHamptons: What is the best way to dress baby appropriately for transport in a car seat?

Katerina: To be most effective, car seat straps must be snug.  It is recommended that coats, snowsuits and other bunting should not be used in a way that comes between the child and the car seat straps.  Many parents dress baby in suitable indoor attire and cover baby only from the front. A blanket like the 7AM Triangle Blanket is water resistant and has a  warm micro-fleece lining. It covers baby well when needed to protect against the elements and can be removed easily in the warm car.  The 7AM Easy Cover, which was designed with The Car Seat Lady is intended specifically to keep baby warm and dry during car seat use.  It has arms and functions like a fitted blanket, covering only the front of baby, it is also easily used and removed.

7AM Cygnet Cover Pictured

Katerina adds: To protect head and hands a waterproof and warm hat/mitten combination works very well.  We regularly drive between NYC and the Hamptons and love using the Easy Cover for Loukas along with the Chapeau hat and mittens, below.

7AM Chapeau Hat and Mittens Set

7AM Easy Cover Pictured

KDHamptons: What is the best way to keep baby safe and comfortable while sleeping?

Katerina: It’s commonly known that sleeping bags are considered a safer way to cover baby during sleep, but It’s lesser known that different sleeping bags can offer different thermal resistance, which is measured by TOG. Our Aden and Anais sleeping bags range from single layer, to cozy (four layer), to cozy plus (their warmest sleeping bag).  I’ve often used the cozy plus this winter with Loukas, but alternate with the Merino Wool, which is amazing year round.

I’ve provided the TOG measurements for the various sleeping bags below :)

Aden and Anais Merino Sunset Sleeping Bag Pictured below

KDHamptons: How do you suggest keeping dry air at bay indoors?

Katerina: Humidifiers add moisture to a room which can help with dry sinuses, noses and cracked lips.  They can also help ease symptoms of a cold or respiratory condition. We can’t get enough of them and have them everywhere in our home.

Duux Ultrasonic Air Humidifier Pictured

KDHamptons: Which are your favorite products for winter skin care?

Katerina: Daily bathing can be very drying for baby’s skin.  We find that many families forego the nightly bath in the coldest months, choosing to bathe baby every few days instead.   Our trusted  bath products are wonderful in every season.  We find many parents add moisturizing to their bath time routine in winter to keep baby skin from becoming too dry.  If baby has extremely dry skin, the Stelatopia cream by Mustela is great. Mustela also offers a great moisturizer for face only.  Often overlooked but also important is protecting baby from the sun in winter when spending prolonged time outdoors.   I like to carry the Baby Hampton Beach Bum Sun Stick in my bag year round for quick and easy application.

Mustela- Hydra Bebe Body Lotion Pictured., Mustela Stelatopia Moisterizing Cream pictured, Babyhampton Beach Bum Sunstick Pictured.

KDHamptons: What is your top gift for a new mom right now?

Katerina: Gift Sets are very popular right now and there are some great ones to choose from. The Aden and Anais Beginnings Set and The Honest Company Baby Arrival Gift is both very popular.

Honest Company Gift Set: $ 49.95 – Gift includes 7 essential items – Wipes, Size 1 Diapers, Hand Sanitizer Spray, Shampoo and Body Wash, Face + Body Lotion, Healing Balm and Baby Teether

KDHamptons: Any exciting news for Lullanest spring / summer to share with our readers?

Katerina: We’re very excited for this spring and summer and can’t wait to share all the details soon. We are launching our blog soon, which will include features on moms we admire.  We’re rearranging the boutique interior and adding some amazing products and furniture to our showroom, including Monty Gliders. Our new Lullanest green bags are here along with new gift wrapping, boxes and finishing touches for  beautiful gift giving.  We’re adding chic diaper bags by Chloe and Stella McCartney along with more designer clothing. We’re also planning partnerships with some of our favorite brands, including a stunning new baby jewelry line, beautiful baby clothing brand, elegant maternity line and more.   In late May, Early June we’re hosting an infant and child CPR class, which is useful to all expecting and new parents.  And on March 29th we’re bringing back The Registry Event, where our guests enjoy refreshments, hand massage, personal attention from our product experts, and our Essentials Gift Bag—  pretty much everything I wanted when registering for baby.    You’ll find all of the above plus workshops, lectures, and mommy-and-me activities sprinkled throughout the spring and summer at Lullanest.

Lullanest location: 78 Main Street, East Hampton. Follow on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram @lullanest

Winter Hours: M/Th/F/ 10-6,  Saturday: 10-7, Sunday: 10-5