Dressing babies for winter
How to Dress a Baby in Winter, According to a Pediatrician
Brrrrrr!
Keeping a baby comfortable in winter temps requires extra time, extra layers, extra clothes, and extra patience.
by Patrick A. Coleman
Updated:
Originally Published:
Ariela Basson/Fatherly; Getty Images
As the weather cools, baby winter clothes become a necessity. Infants and toddlers are less able to regulate their body temperatures, so they’re more vulnerable to the cold. But there’s much more to protectively dressing a baby in winter than simply throwing a baby jacket over a warm onesie and calling it a day. In fact, dressing a baby for winter temperatures requires extra planning and extra time, as well as special attention to cold hands, faces, and feet.
The best winter baby clothing strategy is one that’s practiced and expert-informed so that parents feel comfortable taking little ones outside, whether that means a walk from the car to a store, some chilly sledding, or a long wait for public transportation. After all, as the Scandinavians say: There’s no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing.
How to Dress a Baby in Winter
The key to dressing a baby appropriately for cold weather is layering. Layers provide excellent insulation and can be added to or removed in order to find the right comfort level. Babies should have at least as many layers as their parents. A thin onesie, then a few long-sleeved shirts and pants, then a sweater or a sweatshirt, and a coat or snowsuit is a good start, according to pediatrician Alison Mitzner, M.D. Don’t forget the feet — if footie pajamas are called for, socks under footie PJs are better.
“Always have gloves or mittens, hat, and boots,” advises Mitzner. “Every child — and adult — needs a hat in the winter weather. You lose a good percentage of your body heat from the head.” Babies, with their ginormous noggins, are no exception.
When it’s time to travel, building in a little extra time into the schedule can keep the process from being overwhelming.
Taking the time to heat up the car, if possible, helps keep kids warm. So does stashing the car seat carrier inside when not in use.
Blankets are absolutely indispensable in the car. “Keep the bulky snowsuits or big coats off and put them on after you reach your destination,” says Mitzner. “Keep a blanket with you to put over the buckle and harness if you need added layers — not underneath.” The car seat harness straps need to fit snugly; a bulky garment such as a coat or a snowsuit can reduce the efficacy of the car seat. And if there’s an accident on icy roads, that can mean serious injury — or worse. Hat, gloves, and boots can stay on.
Finding Appropriate Baby Winter Clothes for Health and Safety
If parents see their baby shivering, it means it’s time to go inside. A shivering baby is a cold baby, and shivering can be a sign of developing hypothermia, a dangerous condition in which the core body temperature drops below 95 degrees. Babies need to use their caloric intake for growing, not trying to raise their core temperature, and they can’t count on exertion to keep them warm.
Attentive parenting makes frostbite an unlikely threat for an infant, but older, more mobile kids may be at risk. “Frostbite can occur if the skin is exposed to really cold temperatures — most often with fingers, toes, ears, and nose,” warns Mitzner. “If you see the skin becoming very pale and cold, immediately bring your child inside. Warm washcloths work well for the ears and nose — do not rub affected areas.”
Generally, the key to wintertime comfort is to remember that it’s going to take extra time, so take it. Add a few minutes to the departure time to let the car warm up sufficiently — not just the engine, but the heater. Add another five minutes or so to deal with cold hands adjusting car seat straps, arranging blankets, and making goofy faces at a 7-month-old who’s wondering why it’s so damn cold.
And make sure to bring additional clothes, hats, mittens, and socks. Since wet cotton doesn’t insulate worth a damn, one poorly fastened diaper or wet blowout can quickly turn all those layers into liabilities.
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How to dress baby in winter: All your options for keeping them warm
Photo: iStock/ArtMarie
Jenny Berthiaume’s daughter, Amie, was born during a Montreal winter, and the first-time mom quickly became an expert in dressing a newborn for seriously cold weather. “There are lots of things about Canadian winters that are inconvenient, and one of those is leaving the house with a baby. But you have to do it, both practically and for your well-being,” she says. We take the guesswork out of how to dress baby in winter.
In the car seat
First thing's first: Bulky clothes, including puffy snowsuits, are not safe for car seats. “If there’s too much bulk, you’re not getting the harness tight enough,” explains Kelly Drury Laffin, a recently retired car seat technician in Edmonton. Instead, she suggests putting your baby in a sleeper (or well-fitted fleece suit) and a hat, buckling her in and placing blankets over top, being careful not to cover her face.
Products that line car seats and act as sleeping bags to keep a baby warm in the winter are not safe because they interfere with the harness. If you want to buy something to cover the seat, opt for a shower-cap-style bag that goes right over top and has an opening for the baby’s face, says Drury Laffin.
In a carrier
Heading out with your infant in a carrier can be über-convenient in the summer, but it requires a bit more thought in the winter. “What’s of utmost importance is keeping baby’s airway clear, so that means they’re not chin to chest, their face is uncovered, and the parent is able to observe them,” says Drury Laffin, who is also a co-founder of the Canadian Babywearing School. The best-case scenario would be to have your baby dressed in a sleeper or something similar, strapped into the carrier next to your clothing with a babywearing coat covering you both. If you don’t have a babywearing coat, Montreal babywearing consultant Amy Ma suggests getting an extender panel that zips into your coat, and emphasizes that your coat should never be zipped up higher than the base of a baby’s neck, so that the head and face are never covered.
Avoid big, chunky scarves, as they can obstruct the baby’s breathing.
Drury Laffin says parents can dress baby in winter with a hat and snowsuit, and then put the carrier on over their own coat, but all that bulk may be uncomfortable for you and make it harder to tell how your baby is doing. If you go this route, be extra careful to keep your baby’s airway clear and check his hands and feet often to be sure they are warm enough. This technique also makes it harder to take your own coat off if you go indoors, and if your baby falls asleep, you’ll have to unbundle her at your destination and risk waking her up.
In a stroller
If you’re venturing out with a stroller, Catherine Pound, a paediatrician at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, recommends dressing your baby in layers. Start with a long-sleeved onesie, pants and socks or a sleeper, and then add a sweater or zip-up sweatshirt and, finally, a snowsuit. Ears, hands and feet are most at risk for frostbite, she says, so make sure they’re well covered.
Most snowsuits fold over babies’ hands, but if yours doesn’t, you’ll need to put mittens on. Sonia Verma, a mom in Hamilton, Ont., has a trick for keeping mittens on tiny hands: putting kids’ socks over them. “They go most of the way up a baby’s arms and fit snugly over poofy warm clothes, and they’re very hard to tug off,” she says. Don’t use mittens with strings or scarves, as they’re both strangling hazards. Once your babe is bundled in clothes and outerwear, you can also zip him into a cozy stroller bunting bag, which covers hands and feet, and can be opened up if you head indoors. (Or just tuck a blanket over your baby.)
Berthiaume, now a mom of two, says that while keeping a baby warm in the winter can seem daunting at first, it does get easier. “You just find your way of doing it, and it becomes second nature,” she says. And fear not, spring will come.
Expert tip Catherine Pound, a paediatrician at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, says if the temperature is -20C or below, you should limit outdoor time (no long walks, for instance), especially if it’s windy and the sun is hiding.
“It’s hard for a baby to tell you that they’re uncomfortable, and they lose body heat very easily,” she says. When you do go out, never forget the hat.
How to dress a child in winter for a walk, garden, school.
Pediatricians are sure: a child should walk outside a lot, often and for a long time. Only in this case, he will become stronger, get sick less often and sleep well. And cold winter weather is no exception. Quite the contrary: when the air in an apartment or house is overdried by heating, outdoor walks are much healthier. The main thing is to know how to dress your child in winter so that he does not freeze and does not overheat. We have compiled a checklist for you that will help you understand this topic and choose clothes. nine0003
Shiny jumpsuit
Choosing outerwear
It's easy enough if you know where to start and how the child should feel.
Head
The permanent leader in the field of headwear is a cap-helmet.
It combines a hat and shirt-front, reliably protects the head, ears, neck from the cold. Does not fall off, and if necessary, easily fits under the hood. However, when buying, you need to pay attention to seasonality: there are autumn and winter models. Some are equipped with an additional insulating layer around the ears to protect these places from blowing. nine0003
Hat for girls
Students can be allowed to choose their own style. It doesn't have to be a helmet.
Student hat
Body
We'll talk a little later about the principle of layering and the amount of clothing that should be used. Now let's figure out what types of outerwear can be used.
Overalls. Ideal for toddlers and children of all ages. No matter how active the child is, the snow will not get under his jacket. And in the presence of hairpins and special elastic bands, he will not be able to get under the overalls at all. nine0003
Girls overalls
Membrane models will be especially good for schoolchildren and active preschoolers.
They retain heat well, repel moisture, "breathe", do not allow sweating and hypothermia.
To understand how to dress a child outside in winter, you need to know the amount of insulation. If in winter the temperature usually stays in the region of -25 degrees, 180-250 grams of insulation will be enough.
Jackets and winter trousers. This option is often recommended for older children. The combination of two elements of outerwear gives more space for activity. In addition, the kit is much more convenient if you need to take your child to a clinic or cafe. You can just take off your jacket and leave your pants. nine0003
Jacket (Eco down)
For the child to be comfortable outdoors, the pants should be 1.5–2 times colder than the jacket. This will keep you from sweating and freezing.
Overalls, article BK498501
Hands
Gloves look nice, but in winter they lose to mittens in terms of functionality. Mittens are warmer and easier to put on and take off.
Due to their simple shape, they are easier to insulate and waterproof. Older children can buy gloves. nine0003
mittens, article BK360512
insulated mittens
Baby
Foots
Winter shoes must correspond to three purposes: to be a warm, convenient, comfortable. All this can be achieved if you choose the right winter boots. They should be high enough, best of all - from membrane materials. If the frosts are too strong, nothing better than ordinary boots with rubber soles has yet been invented. nine0003
Taking into account the principle of layering
Don't know how to dress your child for a walk in winter? It's simple: consider the principle of layering. According to him, for active kids and older children - 3 layers. We figure out how to implement the plan correctly.
Body layer
Its task is to be pleasant to the body, not to harm delicate children's skin, and to effectively remove moisture.
For active children, it is better to use thin semi-synthetic / synthetic T-shirts or thermal underwear. Such clothes will not allow you to sweat. It will timely remove moisture, leaving the child's body dry and warm. That is why ordinary cotton T-shirts lose thermal underwear. When a child actively spends time outside, they simply get wet, unable to effectively remove moisture. nine0003
Girl's T-shirt
Warmer layer
Jumpers, sweaters, sweatshirts made of wool or other heavy fabrics will do. Well, if they are loosely attached to the body. Fleece is especially good. This artificial material perfectly retains heat, removes moisture in a timely manner and allows the child to feel comfortable, even after running a “marathon”.
Deer jumper
Sweatshirt for boy
Protective layer
These are all the outerwear we have been talking about. Experts recommend younger children to walk in overalls, and schoolchildren in separate sets of jackets and trousers.
Understanding how to dress children in winter, taking into account the temperature
The principle of layering is preserved throughout life. It is much better to put three thin layers on a child than a thin longsleeve and a very warm jacket. It is the air that is stored between the layers of clothing that warms us. nine0003
We have prepared general guidelines to help you understand the nuances. In each case, it is necessary to rely on the characteristics of thermoregulation of an individual baby.
from +5 to 0 degrees
For older children, it is better to take a synthetic or semi-synthetic T-shirt, jumper, sweatshirt, cardigan with the addition of wool, fleece. You can pick up membrane outerwear.
from 0 to -5 degrees
Toddlers are dressed in the same way, but a fourth layer can be added. For older children, we add a woolen sweater, jumper, sweatshirt, as well as warm socks and tights. It is better to take a hat, mittens or gloves insulated.
nine0003
-5 to -10 degrees
Woolen or fleece thermal underwear, insulated socks. As shoes, you can use traditional felt boots with rubber soles. It is better to take insulated mittens.
-10 to -15 degrees
Fleece or wool thermal underwear, wool sweater, socks. Insulated hat with lining, mittens. Valenki or membrane boots. Membrane outerwear.
Collecting a child for kindergarten
How to properly dress a child for kindergarten in winter? The main principle is to be as simple as possible. Try to choose clothes in such a way that the child can cope on his own. nine0003
- It is more comfortable for a child to wear a separate set of pants and jacket than a one-piece suit. It is desirable that the clothes be practical, non-marking. Children on a walk often get dirty, and there is nothing to replace things with.
Warm trousers
Non-staining coverall
- Loose and not too tight clothes are always easier to dress.
It is better to choose models without buttons, complex buckles, fasteners. nine0164 - It is better to choose shoes with Velcro. The zippers and laces are too complicated to use on your own.
- Use jumpers, sweatshirts made of fleece, wool, acrylic with a minimum number of fasteners.
- T-shirts and longs made of cotton, thermal underwear are suitable as underwear, pantyhose under pants.
- The cap should be easy to put on. The ideal option would be the helmet model. It is simply pulled over the head, no strings or clasps. nine0164
- Insulated mittens will help keep your hands warm and dry. Plus, they just fit.
- Spare mittens and a scarf - these are the things that are most often lost while walking without mom. Therefore, you need to have spare options in the locker.
At home, it is worth working out a dressing pattern. So that the baby does not inadvertently miss tights or socks and does not put on overalls on bare legs.
Be sure to remind children to change their cold socks for warm ones when they go out for a walk. nine0003
Checking how we dressed the child: correctly or not
When a child walks on the street, you can determine whether he is cold or overheated by the following signs: Cold fingers are a sign that the child is freezing. Need extra socks or a blanket.
If you notice that your child is overheated or cold, take this into account next time.
Remove one layer or add to prevent this from happening again.
Some helpful tips for parents
Experts tell you how to dress your child for a walk in winter so that he or she is comfortable.
- It's easy to check how comfortable your child is. Put your finger behind the collar: if the scruff is warm, everything is fine. If cool, you need to add a layer, if hot, remove one or more. Overheating is just as dangerous as cold, as pediatricians repeatedly repeat.
- Dress quickly. Otherwise, the baby will sweat even before you find yourself on the street. And this will then lead to hypothermia. Fortunately, today there are many models and high-tech materials that make the process easier. For example, a fleece suit can easily replace a pair of tights. nine0164
- Clothing should be with a small margin. This is especially true of overalls, jackets and trousers. And it's not even that the child quickly grows out of his kits. Just between the body and clothing should be space.
This is a guarantee that the child will be comfortable. - Wearing heavy warm overalls over a light T-shirt is a mistake. The thickness of the layers should be approximately the same. It is not fur, fluff or synthetic winterizer that warms. Warms the warm air that forms between the layers. Therefore, follow the principle of layering and refuse heavy, uncomfortable, bulky jackets. nine0164
- It is not necessary to wrap the child's face with a scarf. Warm breath will wet the scarf, and then it will be covered with drizzle. Not only is this unpleasant, but it can also have an irritating effect on the skin. It is even worse if the baby breathes through a wet warm scarf for a long time, and then sharply swallows cold air.
- Wear clothes that are too big. No matter how paradoxical it may sound, but in this way you limit freedom of movement, because it is difficult for a child to squat, bend over, run in clothes if they are large: too loose, with sleeves that do not fit or are too long.
Shoes that are too big will also cause the baby to constantly stumble. The other extreme can be things from which the child has already grown. A minimum amount of air is placed under such clothes, which means the child will freeze. nine0164
Girl's jacket
Now you know how many layers of clothes you need to put on your child in winter to keep him healthy. And you can also choose the right combination. Most of the things that we described in the article are already in the catalog of the BAON online store. Check out our blog often for a fresh batch of information!
How to dress a child for a walk in winter
A small child is not able to explain that the hat constantly slips over his eyes, mittens prick, and new shoes are too rough and tight. However, this is what often causes the whims of the baby. At the same time, a rare child will complain that he is cold, because many parents over-warm their children before going outside.
However, for a child's body, overheating is much more harmful than mild hypothermia.
Common mistakes parents make
Check if you make such mistakes when dressing your child for a walk:
- Dress your child first and dress yourself last. While you are checking to see if you have forgotten your smartphone and keys, turning off the iron and stove, and putting on outerwear, the child will sweat and start acting up. If he goes outside in such a state in winter, he will quickly get sick. nine0164
- Wear warm overalls over light outerwear. It is necessary to adhere to uniformity and dress the child in layers. Air is formed between the layers, which will warm the baby.
- Cover the child's face with a scarf. When breathing into a scarf, its matter becomes wet, frost appears on its surface, which risks scratching the child's skin. And if the baby breathes into a scarf for a long time, after which he sharply inhales cold air, he will quickly get sick.
- Dress the child in loose clothing and loose shoes. Such clothing limits freedom of movement, since it will be inconvenient for the child to raise his arms, bend over and squat, and in large shoes he will begin to stumble. The maximum margin for growth in shoes is 2 cm of foot length. Also, do not dress the child in too tight clothes, as they will be cold in them. nine0164
We dress the baby depending on his character
Much depends on the nature of the child. If the baby is calm and unhurried, then it is recommended to dress him warmer, and if he is active and mobile, then the clothes should be looser.
You can tell if a child is cold by touching the skin around the chest and neck. It is pointless to draw on the cheeks and nose, since this does not show what state the child is in. nine0003
Other signs of hypothermia include pallor of the face, unreasonable crying, lethargy, cold bridge of the nose and wrists. As for overheating, red cheeks, sweating, restlessness indicate it.
In a normal state, a slight blush plays on the child's cheeks, and his hands are slightly cool.
How to dress a newborn baby
- For babies, a warm fleece overall must be purchased. The Mini A Ture Adel angora cream model is perfect. The palms will be closed with lapels, and the cuffs will have elastic bands. nine0164
- At the age of 3-6 months, you should consider options for overalls such as Mini A Ture Wisti evening rose. In such clothes, the child will be able to more easily learn the world around him and move more freely.
- Children under 12 months old need to buy mittens and warm boots, and warm tights instead of pants.
How to dress a child up to 3 years old
The Wheat Nickie navy overall is the best fit - it's a lightweight, comfortable garment that allows you to move freely. It is important that the pants and the sleeves fit snugly around the wrists of the child.
It is desirable to have a zipper and / or Velcro to regulate the volume. Also, the hood should have a high collar that can be unfastened. With it, the child's neck will be protected from low temperatures, wind and snow.
How to dress a child over three years old
At this age, you can already buy pants and a jacket. It is necessary to adhere to the layering rule . The colder it is outside, the more layers should be. But if the child is too mobile and moves a lot, then there should be fewer layers. nine0003
In general, it is worth adhering to this principle:
- The first layer is underwear. If the outside temperature is up to 5 °C, cotton clothing with viscose should be chosen. If it is colder, then wool with acrylic is suitable. Clean materials without viscose and acrylic should not be used, as they absorb sweat and leave it next to the body, as a result of which the child suffers from the greenhouse effect.
- Second layer - fleece suit, wool or acrylic jumpsuit.
Such a layer accumulates heat. nine0164 - The third layer is a separate set of outerwear, which should be warm.
As for the hat, it must have ties and eyelets. An ordinary hat will often slip off, because children constantly turn their heads. The best option is the HutteliHut Plys Wool Camel helmet, which protects both the head and neck from wind and frost. In the future, as you grow older, you can buy a hat with ears on ties and an elastic band around the entire headgear.
nine0002As for mittens, the material of their manufacture must be waterproof, membrane. Otherwise, the palms of the child will constantly sweat. And with waterproof mittens, he will be able to play with icicles for a long time and throw snowballs - his hands will not get wet or freeze.
Shoes must be flexible and soft enough to allow the child's foot to move and flex actively. If frosts rage in your area in winter, buy shoes made from natural felt, wool and sheepskin.
