As we gear up to bid goodbye this Fall, the transition into Winter is much closer than we know! For new parents or parents of little ones, dressing your baby for winter requires some planning. Infants and toddlers cannot communicate how they feel, hence it becomes the responsibility of the parents to judge the situation well, so they are not too hot or too cold. Excessive layering can make them feel stuffed up. Whereas, insufficient layers can make them feel cold, easily falling prey to fever and sickness. In light of this, we recommend some tips to keep in mind so your little ones are happy and comfortable through Winter!
Tips for Dressing Kids During Winters
A quick tip to identifying if your infant is feeling cold is by feeling their palms or their back. If it feels cool, then they are cold. Similarly, check for blotchy and/or bluish hands and feet. Extreme cold reduces blood flow that can make their hands or feet turn blue.
The Key to Layering
The key rule to remember for winter dressing is that layering clothes are the best way to keep your children warm and cozy. However, there is a flip side to excessive layering. It can make them sweat, causing the first layer that is in contact with their body to become damp. Resultantly, this will make them feel even colder as cold sweat gets trapped inside. Doctors commonly recommend dressing children in additional layers than what you would wear. This way, if they feel too hot they can remove one layer. If they get too cold, they have the option to put it back on.
What are the Different Layers and How to Get it Right?
Typically, winter dressing involves three layers. The first layer, or also known as the inner layer, is what is in contact with the body. For this, we recommend wool, organic cotton, or synthetic fibers that do not trap heat but also keep the body warm. For infants, this could also be onesies or zip-ups. Then comes the middle layer that protects the inner layer but also adds another round of warmth, and minimizes air pockets that allow winter chillness to enter in. This could be sweaters or jackets. Finally, comes the upper layer that can be removed if it gets too hot. This also protects from rain, snow, and heavy winds.
Don’t Forget the Hands, Face, and Feet
Once you have your three layers in places, it is time to cover the hands, feet, neck, ears, and head. Regardless of age, the feet and hands attract cold easily and that can internally spread throughout the body. Covering the hands with gloves, feet with woolen socks and winter boots, a woolen scarf around the neck, and a headgear can go a long way in keeping your child comfortable and happy.
Comfort and Easy Movement is Essential
Most often, when we layer our children, we get so blindsided by protecting them from the cold that we oversee if they can move without restriction. No matter the layers and accessories, your little one must not feel restricted and should have ease in movement. Any restriction can make them irritable and cranky, making it hard for you to manage them.
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