Home & Family
Children may be delighted with a snow day during a cold snap. However, parents may have concerns about keeping children warm, especially with an unexpected snowfall.
Children in the Cold
Children are more vulnerable in the cold than adults, because they lose heat faster — especially infants and toddlers. At the same time, children don’t understand the consequences of getting too cold. A child’s teeth may be chattering, and their hands may appear bright red even when they want to stay outside. You can help children be outside while preventing them from getting too cold by dressing them appropriately.
Dressing for Cold
If you have ski wear handy, you don’t need to read further. However, you may not have any winter wear in the right sizes or at all. The general rule is to layer up. Wear light synthetic layers close to the skin, another layer on top for insulating warmth, and a third layer on top for wind and weather protection. The American Association of Pediatrics also recommends that children wear one more layer than adults. A light layer, moderate layer, insulating layer and outer layer (jacket) are appropriate for children.
A puffy jacket does not necessarily equal warmth. It needs to have the right kind of filling to be warm. Put a large scarf around the neck and shoulders to stay warm. Keep a spare pair of gloves for long walks and avoid getting wet.
Pants
Consider putting tights or leggings under pants for girls. For boys, synthetic pajama bottoms or swimming trunks would also add warmth. Girls may also like to wear leggings and a skirt if it is not too cold. Let the pants hang out over the socks (do not tuck them in). Heat rises, even from your ankles, and this method prevents freezing rain or snow from entering a child’s socks. Rain pants are an acceptable outer layer but remember that the best thermal layers are wool. Cotton garments are not ideal layers because if cotton gets wet, it stays wet. Pack spare pants when away from home.
Tops
For the under layer, use a light undershirt, tank top, swimming suit top (not a one-piece) or camisole. Layer a long-sleeved shirt or t-shirt on top. This layer can be cotton, as it will not likely get wet. However, make sure your child will not sweat under too many layers. Add a vest, sweater, or hoodie and wear a jacket for the outer layer.
Shoes
Make sure the shoes have some tread on them. If they do not, consider finding something to create texture. Bigger shoes are better, so they have room for bulky socks. If you have wool socks, cold days are the days to wear them. If not, a synthetic fabric is better than a cotton sock. When cotton is wet it loses its insulating power.
Headgear
Forty percent of heat loss occurs through the head in adults. The skin over the skull does not have much fat, so it radiates heat out. Any kind of head covering is good: cap, beanie, hoodie, beret, or turban. In cold conditions be sure to put something on. An infant’s head size is four times as big in relation to their body size, so managing heat loss through the head is especially important. A hoodie or one-piece is ideal for outdoor excursions.
Gloves
Hands are often exposed. Pockets are helpful, but not for playing in the snow. Any type of glove, from the dollar store type to ski gloves are helpful, as they will keep cold from creeping in. Consider keeping a spare pair in case one set gets wet. If you do not have mittens, pin socks on the child’s hands. Let sleeves hang over the hands.
Jackets
In the South, cold-proof jackets are not common, so all the layering (above) will help. Dress your child in a rain-proof jacket if they don’t have a ski-coat or down coat. Bring the jacket sleeve down over the gloves or hands and tighten the sleeve around the wrist to prevent cold blowing in the sleeve opening. Tighten the waist/hip or tighten the sweater or fleece under the rain jacket. If it is windy and cold, choose a longer jacket or coat that covers down to the child’s thighs. In the absence of other coats, dress them in your longest sweater.
Scarves
Insulating the neck is important because the neck does not have much fat and loses heat quickly. This is important as all the major blood vessels go through the neck. Silk is a surprisingly good insulator. Wool is best, but a cotton or synthetic scarf can also provide warmth. Layering scarves is also helpful — a light one close to the skin and a heavier one on the outside that can easily be removed when children go indoors. In a pinch, a spare adult sock can be fastened around the neck. Bring the scarf high on the neck and close the jacket around the scarf for a light scarf or wrap the scarf around the jacket if it is a heavier scarf. Make sure long ends are not loose — in the case of sledding or active play, you do not want the ends to get caught.
Other Tips
- Remove layers when entering warm spaces to prevent sweating. Unzip infant and toddler suits when inside.
- Cold air is dry and can cause chapping. Use lip balm to protect the lips and lotion on hands. Use sunscreen when necessary.