Dressing for the cold and Canada

WE hope to go to Canada mid April taking 12month old DS with us. WE will be visiting Halifax in Nova Scotia (temp 0-8celsius), Toronto (1-12) and Niagara falls (cold).


I am trying to think about what clothes we need now while there are still some winter things in the clearance places plus I won't have a chance to go shopping much. We live a few hours from clothes shops.

How many layers or how thick a jacket will I require. I do feel the cold and I can layer and always buy over there. But for DS, I just don't know. We have a stroller (MAclaran vogue) with a sleeping bag, I guess it will fit him then. Do I get a thicker sleeping bag or a snowsuit/bunting or polarfleece suit for him? KAthmandu had some this year so will check when i can. I know he can have blankets on top. But Iwant him to be comfortable when he is exploring too. Also what do I put on his feet? HE will probably be pulling himself up on things and crawling. I have heard it isn't good to get shoes before they have been walking a while. Would skeanie shoes or similar be warm enough? Or just woolen booties or soft stuff. I guess he won't be walking outside much.

I imagine that most hotels will be quite warm so it is best to layer, correct me if I am wrong. I was thinking I could buy some tights for him to wear under his clothes too for extra warmth.

I am wary about buying too much heavy duty snow/winter stuff as I doubt we will use it before he outgrows it.

Any hints would be fabulous. I always over pack and I don't want to this time but I don't think I will be able to help it.

Can you tell that I am a teensy bit excited? Wanting to get organised now?